October 5, 2008 4:00: The Art Complex Museum, Duxbury, MA
The Four-Hand Piano Duo

Bonnie Anderson and Donna Gross Javel are fast becoming known both for their creative and varied programming as well as their uncanny ability to make 'four hands' look and sound like 'two'. After several years of playing solo repertoire for each other in a monthly piano group, they sat down on a whim to sight read four-hand piano music. Pleasantly surprised by the well-matched tone and technique of their four hands, they began exploring the piano duo repertoire. They have been performing together as The Four-Hand Piano Duo to enthusiastic audiences throughout the New England area ever since their debut in Danvers, Massachusetts in 2004. They are often told that their enthusiasm and energy are contagious. In addition to the standard works of the classical repertoire, their programs often include music from the Living Composers: AnythingPiano Project (LCAPP). LCAPP’s mission is to encourage the creation of repertoire for the piano in various combinations, to promote living composers through public performances and recordings of their works, and to increase audience enthusiasm and appreciation for new music through creative and varied programming. Bonnie and Donna enjoy talking to audiences about the composers and their music as well as the joys and challenges of performing together on the same instrument.

Donna Gross Javel was a teenager when she was selected by the Leschetisky Association to perform at Carnegie Recital Hall under its auspices. Subsequent performances of solo and chamber music have occurred in such diverse venues as the Esterhazy Palace in Austria, the Frank Lloyd Wright Zimmerman House in New Hampshire and Ventfort Hall in Lenox, Massachusetts. A frequent Boston area performer, Donna Gross Javel has appeared on many local concert series such as the Brookline Library Recital Series, the First Sundays Concert Series in Chelmsford, and the Classical Piano Concert Series at the Parish Center for the Arts in Westford. Her performance on "Morning Pro Musica" was broadcast live from WGBH radio in Boston and hosted by Robert J. Lurtsema. She has also performed on piano and celeste with the Boston University and Indiana University percussion ensembles.

Having received an M.M in piano performance from Indiana University, Donna is also strongly committed to sharing her broad experiences with her students. She has served on the faculty of the Dana Hall Music School and the Brookline Music School where she was awarded the special status of "gifted teacher" by the school's memorable director, Larry Zukof. The school additionally supported her efforts by awarding her two faculty enrichment grants, one of which enabled her to study at the Moscow Conservatory Summer Piano Institute. Other achievements in the area of music education include co-founding and directing the Summer Chamber Music Program in West Chester, Pennsylvania, a program which evolved into the Community Music Program; a cooperative effort between West Chester University and the community. She also served as Assistant to the Director of the Young Artists Piano Program at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. Donna Gross Javel serves as an adjudicator for local piano competitions and festivals and maintains a private piano studio in Waltham, MA.

Bonnie Anderson made her debut with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at age fourteen, first as flute soloist and several months later as piano soloist in the Grieg Piano Concerto. She has performed on both instruments in the United States, France, Germany and South America. A frequent soloist, she has appeared with the Boston Pops, Peoria Symphony, Bach Society Orchestra of Harvard University, Northern Illinois Philharmonic and the Bach Festival Orchestra.

Ms. Anderson’s honors include the Young Pianist Award at Tanglewood, top prizes at the Young Keyboard Artists Association International Competition and the San Antonio International Keyboard Competition, as well as competitor in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. As chamber pianist, she has performed in Alice Tully Hall, Jordan Hall, Austrian Embassy in Washington, D.C. and numerous universities around the country. She has collaborated with such artists as Joseph Silverstein, Harry Ellis Dickson and Benjamin Zander, as well as members of the Boston Symphony, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and Los Angeles Philharmonic. Recent collaborations include chamber recitals with Peter Stumpf, principal cellist of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and Marguerite Krull, soprano.

Ms. Anderson is Adjunct Professor of Piano and Chair of the Keyboard Department at University of Massachusetts Lowell. Ms. Anderson’s debut recording features solo piano music by Bach, Mozart, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Debussy, Ravel and Ned Rorem.