For millions of fans, Igudesman & Joo is…

…synonymous with Rachmaninoff, thanks to their viral hit “Rachmaninoff Had Big Hands”. Now the duo symphonically and rhapsodically celebrate their hero while achieving the impossible by making his epic Piano Concerto No.2 even more epic through reuniting all the songs this concerto spawned sung by legends such as Frank Sinatra and Céline Dion. “Rachmaninov by Himself” honors Eric Carmen’s own tribute to Rachmaninov, where loneliness is so infectious that the whole orchestra breaks down in tears.

In “Flight of the Bumble Hornet”, Igudesman & Joo respectfully arrange Rachmaninoff’s arrangement of Rimsky-Korsakov’s classic and turn the orchestra into green hornets and buzzing bees! The autobiographical humorous song “They Call Me Sergei” pictures the composer’s hardships and “Everyone is here” anticipates the inseparable trio Igudesman & Joo and Sergei Rachmaninoff.

“Rachmaninoff Rhapsody” is a show that can fit just as easily into any regular orchestral subscription series or serve to celebrate those special festive occasions, such as Carnival, New Year, or even April Fool’s Day. After all, Rachmaninoff was born on April Fool’s Day- (April 1st, 1873)- and that is no joke. It is a show that will the audience feeling, as best described in the words spoken by Marilyn Monroe from the movie The Seven Year Itch:

“Every time I hear Rachmaninoff I go to pieces” It shakes me, it quakes me. It makes me feel goose-pimply all over. Don’t stop, don’t stop! Don’t ever stop!”

Igudesman & Joo have no plans to stop with Rachmaninoff at their side.

Igudesman & Joo and Rachmaninoff make up a trio that…

…unbeknownst to Sergei, have been married at the hip for two decades. In fact, for many millions, Rachmaninoff is synonymous with Igudesman & Joo.

Rachmaninoff is arguably the composer who has transcended most into popular culture over any other classical composer. Just take into account that his music was turned into songs sung by Frank Sinatra, how his name and music caused Marilyn Monroe to ecstatically swoon in one of Hollywood’s most iconic films, and think how many hearts have cried listening to Céline Dion belting out, All by Myself,  Bridget Jones included, and then you begin to feel his overwhelming impact. Even video gamers playing Gran Turismo will have been swept away by his music.

But if all that was not enough for Rachmaninoff to hit the all-time high on the Internet, enter Igudesman & Joo with one of their first musical skits, Rachmaninoff Had Big Hands– a performance of Rachmaninoff’s most famous Prelude in C# minor using pieces of wood, to play difficult chords, thrown and acrobatically caught in the air all while the music continues seamlessly.

 “And Now Rachmaninoff”, the show, not only promises the return of the “Big Hands” and other classics of the duo’s penmanship that involve the Russian giant, such as Rachmaninoff by Himself, but also new mash-ups and songs that will include They Call Me Sergei– a humorous autobiographical song about the composer’s hardships, and more recent numbers such as Staying at Home, blending the music of the Bee Gees with Rachmaninoff, a number that is painfully ironic, since Rachmaninoff had to leave his home of Russia in 1917 never to return again. 

Rachmaninoff, besides being a master composer and pianist, was also a master arranger, and Igudesman & Joo lovingly borrow two transcriptions by Rachmaninoff- Liebesleid and Liebesfreud– which he himself lovingly borrowed from his violinist friend, Fritz Kreisler. And if there are any skeptics out there who think that Rachmaninoff has no humor, when Rachmaninoff and Kreisler were playing in Carnegie Hall, Kreisler lost his place in the music, and when he turned to his companion in a cold sweat and asked, “Where are we, Sergei?”, Rachmaninoff’s cool reply was, “Carnegie Hall”.

It is no wonder that Igudesman & Joo, who have embraced failure as their mantra for success, hail Rachmaninoff, who totally collapsed after being devastated by failure, and yet rose from the ashes to write some of the world’s greatest music ever, as one of their titanic heroes.

Their previous shows, “And Now Mozart” had no Mozart in it, whereas “And Now Beethoven” has Für Elise all over it, but “And Now Rachmaninoff”, will leave you feeling, as described in the words spoken by Marilyn Monroe:

“Every time I hear Rachmaninoff I go to pieces” It shakes me, it quakes me. It makes me feel goose-pimply all over. Don’t stop, don’t stop! Don’t ever stop!”

Igudesman & Joo have no plans to stop with Rachmaninoff at their side.

Imagine if Beethoven…

…woke up from his cryogenic tomb only to “hear” what people are doing to his music today… would he just wish to be dead again? Igudesman & Joo tackle this question with their signature mischief and fun, reinventing and recomposing the musical genius of the great mastermind Beethoven.

At Beethoven Dot Com, we offer a wide variety of products to suit the needs of every client. It’s shopping–and Beethoven–rediscovered. This season’s hottest line features:

“Beethoven’s Nightmare”- You’ve heard about the seven circles of Hell, but what about the seven circles of Beethoven? Let Igudesman & Joo guide you as you descend through the composer’s haunting nightmares and multi-layered personality, not to mention witness a stylish choleric outbreak or two.

 “Joyful Variations”-  An electrifying set of variations for symphony orchestra and soloists on themes from the ninth Symphony. Each variation is treated with a national flair and cultural pizzazz from nine different countries, taking one on a musical kaleidoscopic journey that goes around the globe from Bonn to the USA and back.

“Beethoven Takes Five”- Beethoven’s most famous four-note motif and turned it into a five- beat measure in this riotously fun piece. Funky rhythms and grooves are combined with the melodies of Beethoven to create the perfect pairing.

 “They Call me Ludwig”- A humorous song from the perspective of the composer about how miserable his life is and how he never gets to have any fun. And, hey, don’t forget that those bags under his eyes are designer.

“For a Lease”- Arguably the most “cheesy” work by Ludwig Van “Für Elise” undertakes a makeover and is transformed to a quirky, yet ethereal and utterly original work.

In the true spirit of authenticity, as when Franz Clemens would perform tricks with his violin in between movements of the Beethoven Violin Concerto, Igudesman & Joo too will intersperse musical sketch comedy during the performance using Beethoven’s music. This will include some old favourites such as “Credit Card,” and new opuses such as “Beethoven World Record,” and “Für Elise Forever” from their duo show, “And Now Beethoven”.

Igudesman & Joo’s celebration of Beethoven’s Anniversary will be the hottest ticket in town. Expect the unexpected and brace yourself for an unforgettable night.

Die Welt versinkt…

…nicht im bunten Chaos, nein, in grauen Räumen, grauer Langeweile, in grauer Monotonie. Doch Rettung naht: Igudesman & Joo zeigen uns, wie sie es geschafft haben, ihrem Leben die nötige Portion Chaos und Humor zu geben und es dadurch frisch und bunt zu erhalten. Folgen Sie ihnen auf ihrem Weg und lassen Sie sich anstecken von der Kreativität von Igudesman & Joo, aber auch von Mozart, Bach und anderen Kollegen. Denn nur durch Kunst als höchste Form der Kreativität kann die Welt – und somit auch Sie – gerettet werden.

Damit Sie auch nach der Show dem kreativen Flow folgen und mithelfen können, die Welt zu retten, gibt es etwas ganz Neues: gezielte Übungen, wie Sie Kreativität in den grauen Alltag bringen. Und weil man sich nicht alles merken kann, gibt es das Ganze auch als Buch.

 Zu Risiken und Nebenwirkungen dieser Show fragen Sie Mozart, Bach und Beethoven.