Ithaca College

Violinist Nancy Dahn and pianist Timothy Steeves -- together known as Duo Concertante -- will give a free guest recital at Ithaca College on Wednesday, March 18. The performance will begin at 8:15 p.m. in the Hockett Family Recital Hall in the James J. Whalen Center for Music.

The program will include a Beethoven sonata, a duo by R. Murray Schafer, and a fantasy by Schubert. The program will conclude with three lighter selections: "A Night in Tunisia" by Dizzy Gillespie, the traditional Irish tune "The Lark in the Clear Air," and "Tico Tico."

Since forming in 1997, Duo Concertante's performances have been acclaimed throughout the United States, Canada, and abroad for brilliance, subtlety, passion, and stunning ensemble. Hailed for their "artistry, poetry, and impeccable technique" (La Scena Musicale) and "exceptional warmth and intimacy" (Ottawa Citizen), Dahn and Steeves have been described as superb musicians who "work together with uncanny perfection" (Waterloo Gazette).

Their extraordinary teamwork and powerfully charged performances set them apart from more conventional violin/piano collaborations, with a critic from La Scena Musicale observing, "One doesn't listen to a program of violin music here, but to real chamber music, as it should be."

Duo Concertante's advocacy of new music has inspired many of Canada's leading composers. The duo regularly champions works by Murray Schafer, Kati Agócs, Chan Ka Nin, Kelly-Marie Murphy, Alice Ho, Omar Daniel, Clark Ross, Andrew MacDonald, David Scott, Linda Bouchard, and Jean Lesage, performing at least one on nearly every recital. Duo Concertante's 2005 album, Wild Honey, is composed entirely of works especially written for them with the generous assistance of the Canada Council for the Arts, Laidlaw Foundation, and CBC Radio.

More information is available at www.duoconcertante.com.