Tschong-Hie Kong and Alexis Affonso formed their piano duo in 1981 whilst both studying at the Banff Centre for Fine Arts in Alberta, Canada. Both were there to prepare for international competitions. Given that it was a Bicentenary of Johannes Brahms, it seemed an ideal opportunity to give performances of Brahms' two piano as well as piano duo repertoire. The nature of this mild distraction from their studies, initiated further forays into the piano duo literature, and a mutual desire to perform this large, yet rarely performed repertoire, was born.
Since that initial spark, the duo have played a huge variety of both two piano as well as piano duet repertoire, encompassing some of the great works for these combinations. They have also appeared as duo pianists in orchestral and choral music requiring such forces.
Tschong-Hie and Alexis are forever on the look out for new, neglected repertoire and have given UK first performances of duo music by such composers as Fanny Mendelssohn. They continue to expand their repertoire with music from the Baroque era through to contemporary music of today.
The official launch of this piano duo took place in 1983 at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, to a packed concert hall and enthusiastic audience. Since then further appearances have taken place in Europe, North America and the Far East, at both small and large venues.
With a huge repertoire at their fingertips, their programmes are always varied and inspiring, well thought out and enjoyable. They are always open to new ideas, and are always learning new and exciting repertoire.
Since that initial spark, the duo have played a huge variety of both two piano as well as piano duet repertoire, encompassing some of the great works for these combinations. They have also appeared as duo pianists in orchestral and choral music requiring such forces.
Tschong-Hie and Alexis are forever on the look out for new, neglected repertoire and have given UK first performances of duo music by such composers as Fanny Mendelssohn. They continue to expand their repertoire with music from the Baroque era through to contemporary music of today.
The official launch of this piano duo took place in 1983 at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, to a packed concert hall and enthusiastic audience. Since then further appearances have taken place in Europe, North America and the Far East, at both small and large venues.
With a huge repertoire at their fingertips, their programmes are always varied and inspiring, well thought out and enjoyable. They are always open to new ideas, and are always learning new and exciting repertoire.
