duo parnas

Violinist Madalyn Parnas and cellist Cicely Parnas are gifted young soloists and chamber musicians in their own right. Together, they have collaborated as duo parnas for nearly fifteen years, winning first prize in international chamber music competition at Carnegie Hall, releasing two internationally acclaimed CDs, and earning rave reviews for performances of 21st century compositions written for them by award-winning composers. Of their 2009 performance of Brian Fennelly’s 'Sigol' for Two at Symphony Space, New York Times critic Allan Kozinn wrote "The duo parnas gave the piece an electrifying reading, couching it in a lush tone and executing its complex interplay with pinpoint precision."

duo parnas has performed numerous concerts with orchestras, including the New York String Orchestra and the Albany Symphony Orchestra. Forthcoming concerto performances are scheduled with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic under the baton of Randall Fleischer and the Orchestra of the League of Composers in New York City.

In 2008, Madalyn and Cicely made their debut as the Parnas/Serkin Trio with the distinguished pianist Peter Serkin. Performances followed at Bennington College and Brattleboro Music Center in Vermont; the New School and People's Symphony Concerts in New York City; and two performances at Music Mountain Festival in Connecticut. They also collaborate in trio performances with Israeli pianist Yaron Kohlberg, and most recently completed a month-long tour in the US, Europe, and Israel. Highlights included a performance on WQXR in New York, concerts at ProQuartet in Mallemort and at Berlin’s Musik in Kirchen series. The tour culminated in Israel with appearances in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

duo parnas has released two CDs. Parnas Double (January, 2008) features music by Handel-Halvorsen, Kodaly, Ravel, Tcherepnin, and Thomas. Gare du Nord (issued in August, 2009) concentrates on music inspired by Parisian culture, with works by Martinu, Milhaud, Gliere, Fennelly, and Honegger. Scheduled for release in May 2012, their third CD entitled In Real Time, includes today’s music written by living composers including Lera Auerbach, William Bolcom, Paul Moravec, and Charles Wuorinen.

Madalyn and Cicely are students at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in the prestigious Artist Diploma Program. Recipients of the Artistic Excellence Award, they study with Jaime Laredo and Sharon Robinson, respectively. Madalyn and Cicely Parnas are granddaughters of the legendary cellist Leslie Parnas.

Last updated: 10/2/2011

REVIEWS

"The duo parnas [...] gave the piece an electrifying reading, couching it in a lush tone and executing its complex interplay with pinpoint precision."

-- Allan Kozinn, The New York Times

"It truly was a breathtaking moment. Each soloist played with a flair and zest that seemed way beyond their years, and the sound quality and intonation was truly extraordinary. The result was a resounding standing ovation from the delighted crowd."

-- J. Warren Cahill, Mid-Hudson Times

"...the display of artistry on the part of the soloists was breath-taking."

-- Sam Goodyear, Cooperstown Freeman’s Journal

"The Sisters Parnas, violinist Madalyn and cellist Cicely, are poised for potential major careers in an increasingly superstar-oriented classical music business. The winsome Stephentown, N.Y., duo made that perfectly clear in their performance with the Albany Symphony..."

-- Clarence Fanto, Berkshire Living

"The Parnas sisters...could just as well have been gazelle and antelope, so thoroughly did they erase programmatic connotations with the suavity and assurance of their playing... They are real talents. There is nothing showy in their playing. Everything is for musical value..."

-- Andrew L. Pincus, Berkshire Eagle

"...as Duo Parnas walked on stage in gowns of peach and pink, it felt like the blooming of roses in winter. No less radiant was their playing..."

-- Joseph Dalton, Times Union

"Although the violin-cello duo of Madalyn and Cicely Parnas have local roots, they’re destined for an international career that could make this area but a memory. Neither is 20; both have impressive virtuoso chops that they’ve already wielded to great acclaim as soloists and in chamber music performances...."

-- B.A. Nilsson, Metroland

"...violinist Madalyn Parnas, 19, and cellist Cicely, 17, were the stars of the Albany Symphony Orchestra concert Thursday night at the Canfield Casino..."

-- Geraldine Freedman, The Daily Gazette