Duo Duende
The Full Story
About
Duende "A force that emerges spontaneously and unpredictably, often in moments of heightened emotion" F.G.Lorca
"Exploratory and inventive they seek the refinement in the dialogue with each other. A wonderful exchange of both of their colors, a great naturalness in organically making music together and in experiencing the timings, these are some of their many qualities."
-chamber music teacher @ Luca School Of Arts
Background
Joris and Stephanie met at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels where they obtained their master's degree together. They decided to play their chamber music and final recitals together, which subsequently turned into a fine collaboration and friendship.
Both musicians graduated from the Royal Conservatory of Brussels in 2021 in the master instrument. Since then, their mutual respect has only grown, as both have become versatile musicians who admire and closely follow each other's careers in music. After their studies, Joris and Stephanie showed a broad interest in music from other perspectives, which is why they are still continuing their studies at various Belgian conservatories and through specialization programs.
Both musicians do not shy away from creating arrangements for different instrumentations or leading their orchestras based on their studies in conducting, chamber music, accompaniment and music writing. This in addition to a common goal in discovering new or established saxophone repertoire.
Expanding their horizons as two young musicians ready to immerse themselves further in professional life, they want to share their broad vision and knowledge by playing together as a duo. Their common vision and experiences, as well as their respective individual backgrounds achieved through their different studies, enable them as a duo to let their individual qualities flourish as one. The duo wants to grow even further in their chamber music playing as they will follow an extra master chamber music at the LUCA School of Arts Leuven. They are also selected to follow the advanced chamber music course at the Orpheus Institute Gent.
Duende
The choice of the duo's name is therefore entirely in line with their shared journey over the years in which expression of music is central regardless of form, repertoire or style. Duende is a complex and elusive concept, deeply rooted in Spanish culture and artistic expression and it is challenging to pin down a precise definition. In general, duende is often described as a mysterious, almost magical quality or essence that is present in art and performance.The concept of duende was famously explored by the Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca in his essay "Teoría y Juego del Duende". Lorca argued that duende is not something that can be learned or achieved through technical skill alone, but rather it is a force that emerges spontaneously and unpredictably, often in moments of heightened emotion.This is what the duo wants to bring to its audience based on their broad interest and background in music.
