The Four Hand Piano Duo
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The Four-Hand Piano Duo pianists Bonnie Anderson and Donna Gross Javel are fast becoming
known both for their creative and varied programming as well
as their uncanny ability to make ‘four hands’ look
and sound like ‘two’. After several years of playing
solo repertoire for each other in a monthly piano group, they
sat down on a whim to sight read four-hand piano music. Pleasantly
surprised by the well-matched tone and technique of their four
hands, they began exploring the piano duo repertoire. They have
been performing together as The Four-Hand Piano Duo to enthusiastic audiences throughout the New England area ever
since their 2004 debut in Danvers, Massachusetts. They are often
told that their enthusiasm and energy are contagious. In addition
to the standard works of the classical repertoire, their programs
often include music from the Living Composers: AnythingPiano
Project (LCAPP). LCAPP’s mission is to encourage the creation
of repertoire for the piano in various combinations, to promote
living composers through public performances and recordings
of their works, and to increase audience enthusiasm and appreciation
for new music through creative and varied programming. Bonnie
and Donna enjoy talking to audiences about the composers and
their music as well as the joys and challenges of performing
together on the same instrument. They are available for workshops, masterclasses, lectures,
and performances.
Bonnie Anderson made her debut with the Boston
Symphony Orchestra at age fourteen, first as flute soloist and
several months later as piano soloist in the Grieg Piano Concerto.
She has performed on both instruments in the United States,
France, Germany and South America. A frequent soloist, she has
appeared with the Boston Pops, Peoria Symphony, Bach Society
Orchestra of Harvard University, Northern Illinois Philharmonic
and the Bach Festival Orchestra.
Ms. Anderson’s honors include the Young Pianist Award
at Tanglewood, top prizes at the Young Keyboard Artists Association
International Competition and the San Antonio International
Keyboard Competition, as well as competitor in the Van Cliburn
International Piano Competition. As chamber pianist, she has
performed in Alice Tully Hall, Jordan Hall, Austrian Embassy
in Washington, D.C. and numerous universities around the country.
She has collaborated with such artists as Joseph Silverstein,
Harry Ellis Dickson and Benjamin Zander, as well as members
of the Boston Symphony, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and Los Angeles
Philharmonic. Recent collaborations include chamber recitals
with Peter Stumpf, principal cellist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Marguerite Krull, soprano.
Ms. Anderson is Adjunct Professor of Piano and Chair of the
Keyboard Department at University of Massachusetts Lowell. Ms.
Anderson’s debut recording features solo piano music by
Bach, Mozart, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Debussy, Ravel and Ned Rorem.
Donna Gross Javel was a teenager when she was selected
by the Leschetisky Association to perform at Carnegie Recital
Hall under its auspices. Subsequent performances of solo and
chamber music have occurred in such diverse venues as the Esterhazy
Palace in Austria, the Frank Lloyd Wright Zimmerman House in
New Hampshire and Ventfort Hall in Lenox, Massachusetts. A frequent
Boston area performer, Donna Gross Javel has appeared on many
local concert series such as the Brookline Library Recital Series,
the First Sundays Concert Series in Chelmsford, and The Piano
Heritage Series at the Parish Center for the Arts in Westford.
Her performance on "Morning Pro Musica" was broadcast
live from WGBH radio in Boston and hosted by Robert J. Lurtsema.
She has also performed on piano and celeste with the Boston
University and Indiana University percussion ensembles.
Having received an M.M in piano performance from Indiana University,
Donna is also strongly committed to sharing her broad experiences
with her students. She has served on the faculty of the Dana
Hall Music School and the Brookline Music School where she was
awarded the special status of "gifted teacher" by
the school's memorable director, Larry Zukof. The school additionally
supported her efforts by awarding her two faculty enrichment
grants, one of which enabled her to study at the Moscow Conservatory
Summer Piano Institute. Other achievements in the area of music
education include co-founding and directing the Summer Chamber
Music Program in West Chester, Pennsylvania, a program which
evolved into the Community Music Program; a cooperative effort
between West Chester University and the community. She also
served as Assistant to the Director of the Young Artists Piano
Program at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. Donna Gross Javel serves as an adjudicator for local piano competitions and festivals and maintains a private piano studio in Waltham, Massachusetts. Her piano compositions have received favorable reviews in music journals and are available at select music stores in Massachusetts. For more information visit www.AnythingPiano.com.