Daily Cardinal, Oct 25, 2015 See Article
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Press Citizen, Oct 20, 2015
Press Citizen, Oct 20, 2015 See Article
Post Bulletin, Oct 15, 2015
Post Bulletin, Oct 15, 2015 See Article
Upbeat
Raise your batons!
The utterly uproarious virtuosos violinist Aleksey Igudesman and pianist Hyung-Ki Joo are at it again with their delightfully daft orchestral show “UpBeat.” A follow up to their “BIG Nightmare Music,” “UpBeat” takes audiences on a madcap musical ride with stops at every conceivable genre from Ravel to rock, from hip-hop beats to would you believe tee-hee-hees. The show makes its US debut on March 3, 2016, when the Seattle Symphony Orchestra plays straight man to Igudesman & Joo.
The words “strike up the band”—or in this case orchestra—never had a more deliciously raucous meaning than when they signal the appearance of the pair, who do double duty as both conductors and soloists throughout “Upbeat.” Of course this being Igudesman & Joo, a baton quickly turns into “a weapon of mass conduction,” and the tug-of-war over who gets to give the initial upbeat has the concert off to a tumultuous start.
The orchestral merry-go-round span “Ring in the Classics,” Igudesman & Joo’s symphonic Nokia ringtone poem commissioned by the New York Philharmonic; “Winter Polka,” an epic exercise in coughing; “Horror Movie,” a brilliant paean to the creaky and crackling, the squeaks and squeals, sounds that frighten the living daylights out of filmgoers; “An Austrian in America” commissioned by the Pittsburg Symphony to honor its conductor Manfred Honeck…or at least they hoped it would; loop-the-loop with “Ride of the Oy Veykyries,” a lively, klezmer-infused version of Wagner’s most famous piece sure to have the grim German spinning in his grave; “Rush Hour” where a Moscow traffic jam provides fodder; “You Just Have to Laugh,” a kaleidoscope of chuckles, guffaws, and ha-ha-has where the entire philharmonic gets the giggles singing along with the audience; and, as if Greece didn’t have enough woes, Igudesman tries his best to help the beleaguered country out in a schizophrenic finale “Zorba the Geek.”
What others say
“The incredible performance/workshop of Igudesman and Joo… was the best visiting educational experience that I have witnessed in my 31 years of teaching in public education.
Over 780 performing arts students… were exposed to musicianship, self-confidence building, kinesthetic learning, and different cultural perspectives that spoke to everyone in the auditorium at different and memorable levels.
… Thank you so much for letting us be a part of this wonderful event. You have touched many lives today, with your passion for music and the arts.“
Andrew Kidd
Superintendent of Schools Volusia County Florida
“A Little Nightmare Music brings surrealism to the concert hall and takes its trousers down! Very musical, very engaging and very funny. A Big Hand for A Little Nightmare Music’s Big Hands.“
Terry Jones
Comedian/Monty Python/Director
“A Little Nightmare Music as a title is a misnomer… Igudesman and Joo are a DREAM …watch them!“
Sir Roger Moore
Actor
Next Dates for Upbeat
No shows booked for this tour at the moment.
A Little Silent Night Music
A Christmas show with IGUDESMAN & JOO
The Holiday Season, undoubtedly, is the best time of the year. Families get together and have a jolly ball, and they will find no better place to do this than with IGUDESMAN & JOO in “A Little Silent Night Music”.
Whether you celebrate with a Christmas tree, a Dreidel, a Korsi, a Rangoli, or a Krampus, in the world of IGUDESMAN & JOO, everyone has fun.
Heartrending renditions of holiday classics stand next to hilarious original Christmas and New Year songs, topped off with some IGUDESMAN & JOO all-time classics. “A Little Silent Night Music” spreads Holiday Cheer, with healthy amounts of mistletoe and virtuoso music.
IgudeSNOWman & JOOdolph are coming to town! This is the one night of the year for all of us to enjoy ourselves and to give up seriousness – “cold turkey”!
What others say
“Aleksey Igudesman and Hyung-ki Joo played at my 80th birthday celebrations. I nearly died laughing. I’d like to invite them back for my 85th, but that might be considered reckless… Great usicians, great fun.”
Bernard Haitink
Conductor
“What makes the slapstick duo so original is not that they turn classical music culture upside-down and inside out, but that they never mess with the music itself, treating that with not just respect, but with astonishing virtuosity.”
Dick O’Riordan
Sunday Business Post, Ireland
Upcoming shows A Little Nightmare Music
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December 25, 2024
Igudesman & Joo: A Little Silent Night Music
Pärnu kontserdimaja Pärnu, Estonia
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December 26, 2024
Igudesman & Joo: A Little Silent Night Music
Vanemuise kontserdimaja Tartu, Estonia
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December 27, 2024
Igudesman & Joo: A Little Silent Night Music
Jõhvi Kontserdimaja Jõhvi, Estonia
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December 28, 2024
Igudesman & Joo: A Little Silent Night Music
Estonia kontserdisaal Tallinn, Estonia
8 To 88
Musical education for children of all ages
IGUDESMAN & JOO’s unique education program is designed for any musician who wishes to widen their horizons and approaches to creating, learning, rehearsing, and, performing music. “8 To 88″ explores often– ignored and less-practised aspects of music making and encourages musicians to be more open to such aspects, which may include improvisation, choreography, theatricality, psychology of performance, stage manner and presentation, different styles of music, classical and non-classical rhythm, composition, dramaturgy, and humour.
Musicians are invited to bring their own instruments, and any other instrument they might play, and are encouraged to bring along any own compositions, sketches (musical, or theatrical), and to share any “hidden talents”.
IGUDESMAN & JOO’s “8 To 88″ is available to all musicians, and while it is certainly not exclusive to string players or pianists, violinists and violists would benefit from working with Igudesman’s various “workouts” in different styles, alternative sound production, and, non-classical ornamentation.
The content and direction of the program can vary dramatically depending on the enrolled participants on any given day, which follows IGUDESMAN & JOO’s organic and reactive coaching style that addresses each situation and individual.
Students come away from “8 To 88″ inspired and invigorated, and many leave some of their fears and inhibitions behind. The over-arching emphasis is on being able to have fun with music, and feeling inspired and confident to be creative and break new grounds for their own musical journeys.
In August 2014, IGUDESMAN & JOO will offer guidance to the participants of “A Feast of Duos”, the first competition for duos of violin and piano at the Sion Festival. Going beyond the usual boundaries of music competitions, IGUDESMAN & JOO will act as both jurors and coaches for the duos. The spirit of “8 To 88” is carried forward to the environment of a first-class music competition.
What others say
“The incredible performance/workshop of Igudesman and Joo… was the best visiting educational experience that I have witnessed in my 31 years of teaching in public education.
Over 780 performing arts students… were exposed to musicianship, self-confidence building, kinesthetic learning, and different cultural perspectives that spoke to everyone in the auditorium at different and memorable levels.
… Thank you so much for letting us be a part of this wonderful event. You have touched many lives today, with your passion for music and the arts.“
Andrew Kidd
Superintendent of Schools Volusia County Florida
“Having had the great pleasure to have shared a stage with my friends Aleksey Igudesman and Hyung-ki Joo, I can tell you that even from up-close they are the real thing.They are extremely funny, very original, and highly-skilled musicians to boot. Their mix of classical music and comedy is absolutely unique”.
John Malkovich
Actor
“I had the time of my life when I first saw them live in action, and felt honored to put in a cameo in some of their nutty skits! Take the opportunity to get a taste of their over brimming musical imagination!”
Emanuel Ax
Pianist
Next Dates for 8 to 88
No shows booked for this tour at the moment.
And Now Mozart
First, there was a big bang…
…then, a little nightmare music, and now, Mozart. For those who listen to Mozart, live with Mozart, gave birth to Mozart, eat, pray, and love Mozart, don’t care at all for Mozart, never even heard of Mozart, this show promises you all that it will contain absolutely NO Mozart! But that’s giving away way too much…The world of classical music has finally entered its future. Navigation systems help the soloist orientate around the score, police inspectors are lurking to control interpretations of performers, pianists are on sale for parties and housework, and in a health-conscious world, musicians can now stay fit while practising through the invention of Violaerobics®.
AND NOW MOZART is a show that will change nothing, except enhance your love of music and toning your stomach muscles by hysterically laughing to and with IGUDESMAN & JOO.
What others say
“Hearing and seeing Igudesman and Joo performing live is experiencing pure musicianship, wonderful acting, sophistication and a terrific sense of humor. Their lack of pretentiousness and the joy of their music-making offer an irresistible invitation into the world of classical music. I can’t wait to bring them back!”
Hanna Arie-Gaifman
Director 92nd Street Y, Tisch Center for the Arts, New York
“A Little Nightmare Music brings surrealism to the concert hall and takes its trousers down! Very musical, very engaging and very funny. A Big Hand for A Little Nightmare Music’s Big Hands.“
Terry Jones
Comedian/Monty Python/Director
Next Dates for And Now Mozart
No shows booked for this tour at the moment.
BIG Nightmare Music
BIG Nightmare Music with Igudesman and Joo
IGUDESMAN & JOO’s musical madness on a symphonic scale
When IGUDESMAN & JOO perform with a symphony orchestra, the musical nightmares take on epic proportions! Fans of “A Little Nightmare Music” will be falling all over themselves to experience perennial favorites like Mozart Bond, Alla Molto Turca and Cleaning vs. Riverdancing amped up for a full-blown orchestra. But on top of priceless adaptations of pieces from their duo-show, “BIG Nightmare Music” boasts several uproarious sketches tailor-made for a symphony orchestra, drawing everyone into their act, from the first violinist to the last percussionist.
What’s more, you will have the added opportunity of hearing Igudesman and Joo perform as soloists, both in well-known concertos and in their own orchestral works.IGUDESMAN & JOO are always too BIG for any stage but now picture the duo in Wonderland after eating that cake which makes you grow… A scary thought? There you have it: “BIG Nightmare Music”!
The show includes music by Mozart, Rachmaninov, Bach, Vivaldi, Strauss, Beethoven, Igudesman, Joo.
What others say
“A Little Nightmare Music brings surrealism to the concert hall and takes its trousers down! Very musical, very engaging and very funny. A Big Hand for A Little Nightmare Music’s Big Hands.“
Terry Jones
Comedian/Monty Python/Director
“Hearing and seeing Igudesman and Joo performing live is experiencing pure musicianship, wonderful acting, sophistication and a terrific sense of humor. Their lack of pretentiousness and the joy of their music-making offer an irresistible invitation into the world of classical music. I can’t wait to bring them back!”
Hanna Arie-Gaifman
Director 92nd Street Y, Tisch Center for the Arts, New York
Next Dates for BIG NIGHTMARE MUSIC
No shows booked for this tour at the moment.
A Little Nightmare Music
Just when you thought it was safe…
… the concert begins. The music is sublime. Not even a pin would dare drop. Suddenly, a cellphone rings and the madness starts. The pianist loses his hand, the violinist, while tuning, falls asleep, and later wakes up in the middle of a motorway, transformed into a “Riverdancer”. When the pianist returns, the piano is locked, telling him to insert his credit card. Meanwhile, the violinist loses his bow to a vacuum cleaner and his partner just talks on the phone while reading a paper, eating, and, playing the piano upside down all at the same time. These and many other “nightmares” unfold before audiences’ eyes and ears.
“A Little Nightmare Music” is a unique show, full of virtuosity, enchanting music and zany, outrageous humour. Ideal for audiences aged 8 to 88, this show is sure to captivate you and crack you up whether you’re a classical music enthusiast or the type who runs for cover, at the mere mention of Mozart.
What others say
“Describing the Igudesman & Joo humor in detail would be to deflate its brilliance. For the put-upon Igudesman, think Jack Benny and Jascha Heifetz rolled into one. For the zany Joo, try an unholy Chico Marx, Vladimir Horowitz and Jerry Lewis mash-up […] The Igudesman & Joo anthem is Gloria Gaynor’s ‘70s hit song “I Will Survive.” Igudesman begins it as if singing a Russian folk song, and he electrifies it by playing on the violin strings with an electric swizzle stick (on a priceless 1717 Santo Seraphin violin, no less). Ultimately, it survives – barely and hilariously — as an unclassifiable audience sing‐along. But the idea of surviving is also a serious business with these two miraculous performers“
Los Angeles Times
Mark Swed
“Their blend of classical music and comedy, laced with pop culture references and a wholly novel take on the word slapstick, is fueled by genuine, dazzling virtuosity.”
The New York Times
Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim
Next Dates for A Little Nightmare Music
No shows booked for this tour at the moment.