About the Artist

Wrap up Valentine’s Day Week with selections of classical gems inspired by the theme of love! Japanese-American duo Momiji presents works by Rachmaninoff, Arensky, Glinka, and Khachaturian.

Christie Keiko Abe-Earl and Akiko Konishi were introduced by a mutual musician friend in 2015. They quickly discovered that the similarities in their cultural upbringing extended to their musical interests, and have since collaborated on projects that range from the traditional classical to contemporary Japanese repertoire. The duo’s name “Momiji” (pronounced mo-mee-jee) refers to the Japanese Maple Tree, a symbol of beauty and peace in nature, prevalent in Japanese art.

MOMIJI DUO

CHRISTIE KEIKO ABE-EARL, VIOLIN
AKIKO KONISHI, PIANO

PROGRAM
The Lark for Violin and Piano……………………………………………………………………Mikhail Glinka(1804-1857)

Vocalise, Op.34 No.14………………………………………………………………………Sergei Rachmaninoff(1873-1943)

2 pieces From Romeo and Juliet for Violin solo ……………….…………….……… S. Prokofiev (1891-1953)/Abe
I.Dance of the Knights
II. Love theme

Romance………………………………………………………………….………………..………….D. Shostakovich (1906-1975)

Toccata……………………………………………….……………………………………….………. A. Khachaturian(1903-1978)

****PAUSE*******

Liebesleid…………………………………………………………………………………Kreisler(1875-1962)/S.Rachmaninoff

Four Pieces for Violin and Piano, Op.30…………………………………………………….Anton Arensky (1861-1906)
1. Prelude
2. Serenade
3. Berceuse
4. Scherzo