Dutch brothers Lucas and Arthur Jussen bring their celebrated synchronicity to Poulenc’s Concerto for Two Pianos, which combines Mozartian elegance, Balinese gamelan rhythm and Parisian jazz. For the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Stéphane Denève also conducts Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture, Poulenc’s Les Animaux Modèles Suite and Respighi’s Pines of Rome with its climactic Ancient Roman procession along the Appian Way. The Jussen Brothers perform Poulenc’s Concerto with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra under Nodoka Okisawa, in a program including Takashi Yoshimatsu’s And Birds Are Still . . . and Takemitsu’s Three Film Scores, adapted from the soundtracks for José Torres, Black Rain and The Face of Another.

Limelight Editor’s Choice

Music for two pianos is rare to hear in the concert hall, but it is an amazing experience hearing two artists in perfect synch with each other. And who better to do this than brothers Lucas and Arthur Jussen?

Praised by Gramophone as ‘a piano duo of astonishing sensitivity’, the Dutch brothers’ effortless synchronicity and shared musical insight will light up every phrase of Poulenc’s Concerto for Two Pianos. Sparkling with invention, it moves effortlessly between Mozartian elegance, hypnotic Balinese gamelan rhythm, and the smoky charm of 1930’s Parisian jazz. It’s a work full of humour and mischievous flair.

Led by French conductor Stéphane Denève, this vibrant concerto is an entertaining centrepiece in this thrilling program, accompanied by Berlioz’s dashing Roman Carnival Overture and the enchanting Les Animaux Modèles Suite by Poulenc.