Music in Bass Hall: Duo Déjà vu

Music in Bass Hall presents Duo Déjà vu (Rebecca Hartka cello, Barbara Lysakowski , piano) in a concert entitled: Voix de Paris (Voice of Paris); music that would have been heard in the salons of Paris in the 19^th and 20^th century. From the stunning lyricism of Chopin to the still avante garde sounds of late Debussy, Paris was an international hub for the greatest composers, as well as other artists.

Hartka and Lysakowski have performed together since 2011 in a variety of venues including the French Cultural Center and Seully Hall at the Boston Conservatory. The Boston Musical Intelligencer praised them for their “impressive, lyrical talents” saying that their performance “provided a kind of magic.” Their 2017 appearances will include a performance at the Fredericks Historical Piano Concert Series.

Voix de Paris (Voice of Paris)
Three Pieces for Cello and Piano , by Nadia Boulanger

Sonata for Cello and Piano in D minor, by Claude Debussy:
Sonata for Cello and Piano in G minor, Op. 65, by  Frédéric Chopin

Cellist Rebecca Hartka has concertized for over a decade in venues throughout the United States as well as making international appearances in Italy, Vietnam, and Thailand. Hartka’s playing was described by the Hanoi Times as “… magical and eloquent.” Committed to building bridges through performance and transcending classical music stereotypes, Hartka has performed in nontraditional venues such as Club Passim in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Hampshire County Jail, numerous coffee houses and private homes, and such prestigious venues as the American Embassy in Hanoi, Columbia University, Saugerties Pro Music and the Dweck Center.  According to the Boston Musical Intelligencer her 2014 release Light & Shadow: Sonatas of Rachmaninov and Poulenc with pianist Alys Terrien-Queen “ take this rich Russian music to new heights”, stating that their performance “ranks comfortably alongside several impressive readings by other major cellists.” In 2013-14 Hartka was artist faculty in Arcidosso, Italy for the Interharmony International Music Festival. She has appeared recently as a solo recitalist in the Frederick Historical Piano Collection Concert Series, Boston French Cultural Center, Wistaria Chamber Music Society Concerts at 7, Classics in the Woods, North Quabbin Center for the Arts Series, Community Connections Concert Series, and Columbia Universities St Lukes Concert Series. Her debut CD Folkfire with pianist Azusa Komiyama, released in October 2010, received critical acclaim as well as National Public Radio play, including a feature on Paul Elisha’s Performance Place. As a Deans Scholar, Hartka earned her Doctorate of Musical Arts and Masters in Music from Boston University College of Fine Arts, and her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Oberlin College and Conservatory. She has studied with Andor Toth, Michael Reynolds, Rhonda Rider, and Leslie Parnas. Rebeccahartka.com

Born in Poland, Barbara Lysakowski is an active solo and chamber music pianist in her native country and in the Boston area.  Her musical interests stretch from Baroque to 20th century music.  Her repertoire among others includes Chopin’s, Grieg’s, and Debussy’s Sonatas for Cello and Piano, Poulenc’s Sonata for Flute and Piano and Beethoven’s Appassionata Sonata.  She is a current member of Reve d’Amour ensemble whose debut on November 2014 at the French Cultural Center was described in the Boston Musical Intelligencer as “strong”.  In Poland under the City Concert Series, Barbara has performed with cellist, Anna Sawicka, a concert master of the Baltic State Opera Orchestra.

Barbara started her collegiate studies at the Academy of Music in Gdansk.  Under the supervision of the renowned pianist and chancellor, Waldemar Wojtal, she obtained Master of Arts in Piano Performance with Academic Honors.  She was an instructor of chamber music at that institution for 3 years.  After moving to the US, she enrolled at the New England Conservatory graduate program where she studied with Randall Hodgkinson and earned a Master of Music in Piano Performance with Academic Honors.  Since then she taught at the South Shore Conservatory and Franklin  School for the Performing Arts.  Currently, she is a member of the piano faculty and a staff accompanist at All Newton Music School.

The 2017 Season for Music in Bass Hall is sponsored by Waterhouse Restaurant in Depot Square, Peterborough. Concert goers are encouraged to enjoy dinner before the show (or brunch before our Sunday afternoon shows), or libations and snacks after the concert. For reservations call 603-924-4001

Open Tuesday – Sunday
Lunch/Sunday Brunch 11:30am – 2pm
Dinner starts at 5pm

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