Lomazov-Rackers Piano Duo - Fusion - Music for Piano Duo by Adams, Bolcom, Corigliano, Man and Rogers (2022)

In selecting works for this album, we were guided by the idea that writing for two pianos provides composers with a special freedom to create textures and colors that go beyond the capacity of one instrument to evoke. The title of the album, Fusion, reflects the uniqueness of what is possible in the two-piano format, specifically the layering of voices that is prevalent in most of the music featured here. The repertoire also represents the wide range of styles in modern piano music during the past half-century; from the virtuosity of John Adams’ work within repetitive patterns and Fang Man’s use of Chinese modes and influence of Peking Opera, to the dialogue in the John Corigliano and John Fitz Rogers works, as well as the intensity of rhythm and range in Bolcom’s Serpent’s Kiss.

The Lomazov-Rackers Piano Duo garnered wide attention as the Second Prize Winners of the sixth biennial Ellis Duo Piano Competition, the only national competition for piano duo in the United States at that time. Since then, they have performed as recitalists and in concert with orchestras throughout the United States, Europe and Asia including performances at the Gina Bachauer International Piano Festival, Indiana University Piano Festival, American Liszt Society Festival, Kiev (Kyiv) International Music Festival, Perugia International Music Festival, Seoul International Piano Festival, Amalfi Coast Music and Arts Festival, Varna International Piano Festival, Burgos International Music Festival and Infiorata di Genzano, in addition to appearances in every region of the United States. Lomazov and Rackers are Steinway Artists. As a solo pianist, Marina Lomazov has earned prizes in the Cleveland International Piano Competition, Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, William Kapell International Piano Competition and Hilton Head International Piano Competition and was the first pianist to be awarded the Artist Diploma at the Eastman School of Music in nearly two decades. Joseph Rackers has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Ukraine, China and South Korea at notable venues including the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Sichuan Conservatory of Music, Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series, Banff Centre for the Arts and Yantai International Music Festival, among others. He is a recipient of the Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music. Lomazov and Rackers each earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance from the Eastman School of Music, where they are both currently Professors of Piano. Marina Lomazov and Joseph Rackers founded and direct the Southeastern Piano Festival and also serve as Artistic Directors of the Vivace Music Foundation.