ANAGNOSON & KINTON
PIANO DUO
GALLERY | BIOGRAPHY | REVIEWS | CONCERTO | DISCOGRAPHY | LINKS
GALLERY
Photography Empire Studio, Toronto
Click each image to download
BIOGRAPHY
"Synchronicity" is used to describe an intuitive, almost inexplicable co-ordination in timing between people. It could surely be used to describe the outstanding duo piano artistry of James Anagnoson and Leslie Kinton. Rich in history, Anagnoson & Kinton are entering a remarkable fourth decade of performances. And like the finer things in life, their reputation and legacy grow richer each year.
That two pianists can produce a virtually seamless sound, over this many years, gives cause to marvel. The critics certainly have. As The Ottawa Citizen duly noted, “Anagnoson and Kinton's playing is everything that duo-piano playing should be.” This legendary duo has enchanted audiences throughout Canada, United States, Europe, and China. In 2008, Anagnoson & Kinton expanded their presence into Russia where they performed in St. Petersburg's Glazunov Hall.
The Anagnoson & Kinton duo continues to push toward new artistic horizons. In addition to performing with the major orchestras in Canada, they have expanded in innovative musical directions, such as performing Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring alongside Ballet BC. Also, summer 2006 saw them in a multi-genre premiere entitled Into the Labyrinth by Canadian Ray Luedeke, featuring staging by Tom Diamond and narration with actor Colin Fox.
Since 1981, the duo has built a discography of nine titles. In 2006, a special compilation CD entitled Stages celebrating their milestone 30th season was launched to great acclaim.
As both performers and scholars, Anagnoson & Kinton hold distinguished places in academic circles. James Anagnoson is the Dean of The Glenn Gould School, The Royal Conservatory. He is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and received his Master of Music from The Juilliard School. Leslie Kinton is on the faculties at both the University of Western Ontario and The Glenn Gould School. Both his Master of Music and Ph.D. in music theory are from the University of Toronto.
Anagnoson & Kinton, like most outstanding ensembles, are actually greater than the sum of their parts. Or to quote Richard Dyer in The Boston Globe, “As individuals, they seem to have no technical shortcomings at all; in tandem, they are more than twice as good." And getting better.
Anagnoson & Kinton are Yamaha Artists.
(as of October 2009)
REVIEWS
“From the musicians’ expressiveness, to their vivid interpretations and precise timing, no audience could have asked for anything more in a piano performance.”
-TELEGRAM & GAZETTE, Worcester
"...as individuals, they seem to have no technical shortcomings at all; in tandem, they are more than twice as good."
- THE BOSTON GLOBE
"Anagnoson & Kinton’s playing is everything that duo-piano playing should be."
- THE OTTAWA CITIZEN
"...an outstanding two-piano recital with formidable precision and panache."
- THE NEW YORK TIMES
"This version [Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue] made its full impact in their brilliantly executed performance and brought the audience to its feet."
- THE CALGARY HERALD
"Every note seems invested with tremendous energy. Anagnoson and Kinton's control of the build-up and dispersal of tension is masterly."
- THE NATIONAL POST, Canada
"...a whizzing performance that displayed their finely-honed technique to much advantage...the playing of Messrs Anagnoson and Kinton is communicative and sonorously energetic."
- The LONDON TIMES
"The unanimity, supple technical control and flair Anagnoson and Kinton evince here are captured in a superbly natural recording. Rating: A" [Arensky - MVCD1036]
- THE CALGARY HERALD
"...as Canada's leading duo-piano team reminds us, the music was written originally for piano duet (four hands at one keyboard) and retains an enormous vitality when played by two musicians with a sensitivity to its Bohemian and Yugoslavian and Little Russian folk inspiration." [Dvorak -MVCD1088]
- THE TORONTO STAR
"Anagnoson & Kinton provide impeccably unanimous teamwork here, and are able to summon forth the necessary bold sonorities without a hint of banging or clatter. All their performances are pervaded by clarity, sensibility and appropriate style..." [Arensky - MVCD1036]
- AMERICAN MUSIC GUIDE
PREFERRED CONCERTO LIST
2010-2011
Bach Concerto in C Major
Bartok Concerto for 2 Piano, Percussion & Orchestra
Britten Scottish Ballade
Steven Chatman Variations on a Canadian Folk Song
Martinu Concerto
Roger Matton Concerto
Mendelssohn Concerto in A flat Major
Mozart Double Piano Concerto K. 365
Poulenc Concerto in d minor
Saint-Saens Carnival of the Animals
Recital repertoire available upon request
Master classes and workshops available
Other concerti available upon request
DISCOGRAPHY
Stages: 30th Anniversary compilation Independent
Arensky: Four Suites for Two Pianos CBC MVCD 1036
Dvorak - Complete Slavonic Dances CBC MVCD1088
Festival of Sound - Compilation (Saint Saens et al.) CBC MVCD1089
Gershwin: Rhapsody for Two ProArte CDD 367
Music for Two Pianos (works by Mozart, Clementi and Gallant) ibs1020
Poulenc, Stravinsky, Milhaud & Matton CBC SMCD 5120
(concertos w/Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Armenian)
LINKS
Artist Website
www.pianoduo.com
ACADEMIC AFFILIATIONS
James Anagnoson
www.rcmusic.ca
Leslie Kinton
www.rcmusic.ca
www.music.uwo.ca
INSTRUMENT SPONSOR
Yamaha Canada
www.yamaha.ca
INSTRUMENTALISTS
Piano
Lucille Chung*
Jane Coop
Michael Kim
James Parker
Wonny Song*
Piano Duo
Anagnoson & Kinton
Violin
Martin Beaver
Alexandre Da Costa*
Erika Raum
Cello
Kaori Yamagami
Bassoon
Nadina Mackie Jackson*
ENSEMBLES
Piano Trio
Gryphon Trio
Trumpet & Bassoon Duo
guy&nadina*
Violin & Piano Duo
Da Costa & Song*
NARRATOR
Colin Fox
WORLD MUSIC
Indian Ghazals & Punjabi Folk Songs
Kiran Ahluwalia*
Cuban Music Ensemble
Luis Mario Ochoa Quintet*
SPECIAL PROJECT
Music-as-Theatre
The Schumann Letters*
*First AKAM Season