Rachmaninov and Mussorgsky: Iconic Masterworks at the Cathedral

"What could have been a standard four-hand program turned into a master class of artistry and ensemble playing—confirming the oh-so-famous adage: it is not what you play, but how you play it." - Viktor lazarov, LaScena Musicale

«...atmospheric [...] painted in cheerful colours, with permeable elegance [...]» PIANIST

Partners in life and on stage, the Fedorova & Takser Piano Duo – hailed for their extraordinary chemistry and virtuosic brilliance – bring Rachmaninoff’s iconic works and a spectacular two-piano transcription of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition to Vancouver’s Christ Church Cathedral for one unforgettable night on May 5.

Whether you’re new to piano ensembles or a devoted connoisseur, this is your ultimate chance to dive into this incredible art. A concert you won’t want to miss!

Program

S. Rachmaninov

Suite No. 1 in G minor (Fantaisie-tableaux), Op. 5

Suite no. 2 op. 17

Intermission 15 min

M. Mussorgsky

Pictures at an Exhibition (original transcription for two pianos by Fedorova&Takser)

Duration: approximately 95 minutes with intermission

BIO

The Fedorova & Takser Piano Duo celebrated for their extraordinary unity, expressive depth, and commanding ensemble presence, the Fedorova & Takser Piano Duo stands at the forefront of Canada’s classical music scene. Their performances have been praised for recalling the golden age of legendary piano partnerships: The Vancouver Chopin Society writes that the duo “transports us back to the days of legendary piano duos such as Vronsky and Babin,” while La Scena Musicale described one of their recitals as “a master class of artistry and ensemble playing—confirming the famous adage: it is not what you play, but how you play it.”

Known for adventurous programming, original transcriptions, and multimedia collaborations, the Fedorova & Takser Duo presents a repertoire ranging from Baroque and Romantic masterworks to contemporary and jazz-inspired music, with Rachmaninoff and Brahms among their central artistic pillars.

Their debut album, XIX – The Golden Duets, recorded at Berlin’s legendary Teldex Studio and released by the Genuin label, received widespread international acclaim, earning five-star reviews and top distinctions from La Scena Musicale and praise from Pianist Magazine (Germany) for its brilliance and originality.

Subsequent releases have further confirmed their position among today’s most exciting voices in piano ensemble performance.

Beyond the concert stage, the duo is deeply committed to education. In 2014, they founded the Fedorova & Takser Piano Studio in Vancouver, now recognized as one of the leading private music schools on the West Coast, whose students regularly win national and international competitions and are accepted into the world’s most prestigious conservatories.