Poltergeist Piano

Why is it that one of the most talented, decidedly dedicated active musical partnerships, the Duo Hammel/Sanchez, has just announced that they are no more - and still everyone's smiling?

Because they've only changed their name! "Duo Scarbo" is now the new name for this great Two-Piece and even though it must have seemed a bit risky straying from this well-established brand (as well as probably causing some nostalig feelings), it makes absolute sense. First of all, the title harks back to Ravel's piece, which portraits an evil poltergeist and is said to be the composer's stab at creating one of the most virtuoso tracks of all time. Which is not to say that Elena Hammel and Laura Sanchez are "evil", but their playing has been of a frighteningly high quality none the less. And secondly, the duo has become so close that the differentiation into their individual names had become obsolete - after all, playing the Piano four hands is all about merging into a single body.

Your first chance to catch the "Duo Scarbo" live is at the Steinway Gallery in Boca Raton, Florida on December tenth. It may be pretty cold by then, but Elena and Laura will keep you warm with a program of Mozart, Liszt and Rachmaninoff. Everyone is invited, but be warned: Because of limited seating, early reservation is recommended.

Homepage: Duo Scarbo
Homepage: Duo Scarbo at Piano Lovers