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 the last dozen 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 performances both in solo and duo concertos are scheduled with the Schenectady Symphony (New York), the Verde Valley Sinfonietta (Arizona) and the St. Petersburg Chamber Orchestra (Russia).

In 2008, Madalyn and Cicely made their debut as the Parnas/Serkin Trio with the distinguished pianist Peter Serkin, in performances at Bennington College and Brattleboro Music Center in Vermont; the New School and People's Symphony Concerts in New York City; and Music Mountain Festival in Connecticut. They also collaborate in trio performances with Israeli pianist Yaron Kohlberg, with forthcoming concert series' planned for November 2010 and April/May of 2011, as well as Summer 2011 festival appearances.

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. A new CD, a live recording of the duo’s Tannery Pond Concert at the Darrow School in New Lebanon, NY in August 2009 with pianist Christian Steiner, featuring Beethoven's Spring Sonata, Shostakovich's Cello Sonata and Arensky's Piano Trio No. 1 in d, will be available in the summer of 2010.

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: 5/20/2010

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