Grote Pianisten: Lucas en Arthur Jussen spelen Gershwin, Fauré en Ravel

Lucas and Arthur Jussen

They feel at home in an increasing amount of repertoire, and according to Arthur Jussen, this has to do with the many concerts they have been able and allowed to give in recent years. As a result, they have grown. Nothing has changed in making music together; that still revolves around listening closely to each other, adapting a great deal, and not letting your ego get in the way. Their musical hunger is audible tonight; the pianistic journey goes from Bach via Brahms to the contemporary Hanna Kulenty, via Romanticism and Gershwin's swing. Lucas Jussen: 'A recital in the Concertgebouw, with only the grand pianos on stage in a packed hall, is intimidating, but in the most beautiful way imaginable.'

Gershwin, Fauré and Ravel

Ravel's answer is famous when Gershwin wanted to study with him in 1924: "Why would you become a second-rate Ravel when you are already a first-rate Gershwin?" Both men admired each other's work and shared a fascination with jazz music. Gershwin was a wealthy man; the rights to the Rhapsody in Blue alone earned him $25,000 a year, equivalent to half a million today. When Ravel heard this, he asked if Gershwin would not be willing to teach him. A good student admires and respects his teacher, and that is exactly how Ravel felt about his former mentor Fauré. On the program: a selection from the work of these three great masters. Also on the program: VAN... by Hanna Kulenty, a work from 2014 that has since become part of the regular four-hand repertoire of Lucas and Arthur Jussen.