Houston-based violin and piano ensemble The Dancewicz-Doucet Duo (Dominika Dancewicz – violin and Donald Doucet – piano) will open their 2017-18 concert season with program titled “Beethoven, Janáček and JAZZ”. The concert is on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at 7.30PM, at the University of St.Thomas Cullen Hall.

The program explores thought-provoking contrasts between three vastly different works. The artists will present one of the “happiest” pieces composed by Ludwig van Beethoven – the playful, lighthearted Violin Sonata No.8 in G Major.

Also on the program is the deeply moving Violin Sonata by Leoš Janáček, written in 1914 at the beginning of WW1. Disjointed, full of excruciating contrasts of brutal interjections and exceedingly lyrical evocations of the Moravian folk music, the piece is a reflection of composer’s fascination with the raw nature of his native speech patterns and folk music.

To add to the variety The Duo finishes the program with selections from “Suite for Violin and Jazz Piano Trio” by French pianist, composer and arranger, Claude Bolling. Commissioned by violinist Pinchas Zukerman, the Suite explores traditional and modern dance forms, with added colors of French jazz and swinging groove.

The Bolling’s score calls for two additional players to accommodate the swing and jazz idioms – for that reason The Duo will be joined by the fantastic Darrell Parrish on double bass, and Scott Bonasso on drums.

The Dancewicz-Doucet Duo has earned steadily growing recognition for their compelling, eclectic and thought-provoking programs.Their concerts enjoy wide popularity amongst Houston audiences for their passionate, masterful and highly engaging performances. Each concert allows the audience to not only enjoy the music, but to learn about its context and history from short talks delivered by the musicians from the stage.

FREE and open to the public, donations will be accepted.