Biography

On one piano or two, Anthony and Joseph Paratore are considered one of today's foremost keyboard duos. Their dedication to their work has brought the art of duo piano to the highest level. Their career has spanned now over 30 years performing on the international stage for audiences around the world. Officially their start came in 1973 at the end of their studies at Boston University and the Juilliard School, students of famed pedagogue, Rosina Lhevinne, when they presented their heralded New York City debut. The New York Times reported, “If there is a resurgence of duo piano, Anthony and Joseph Paratore should find an important place in the concert world.” International attention came to them in 1974 winning the First Prize in the Munich International Music Competition. After this victory six months later, their European debut moved leading critic, Joachim Kaiser, to remark, “They are Princes of the Piano. From the beginning there is witchcraft of ensemble playing with a complete understanding of phrasing, breathing, and trills.”

“Horowitz Times Two”, was the headline following Anthony and Joseph Paratore’s performance at the Cologne Philharmonic Hall. "It was as if Vladimir Horowitz and Arkadi Volodos sat at the piano together, but the two pianists in the Cologne Philharmonic Hall were called Anthony and Joseph Paratore...truly a magnificently impressive evening."

“The best two-man orchestra in the world” appeared in their review following their concert at the Piano Festival in Müllheim, Germany.

Over the years their many performances with the worlds’ top orchestras and conductors along with their festival appearances and numerous recordings have demonstrated their unique ability and they have been recognized as a leading duo piano team of their generation.

They have appeared on numerous celebrity series throughout the United States and Europe and with a long list of orchestras including the Berlin Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Detroit Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Vienna Philharmonic, London Symphony, and the Warsaw, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam Philharmonic Orchestras among others.

Their work with these orchestras have brought them together with many fine conductors including Boulez, Fruhbeck de Burgos, Ozawa, Solti, von Dohnanyi, Salonen, Slatkin, and Zinman. Their appearances have brought them around the globe with performances in festivals such as Salzburg, Lucerne, Vienna, Berlin, Lincoln Centre’s Mostly Mozart, Spoleto USA, Australia, Israel and Asia.

Many awards and honours have been bestowed on Anthony and Joseph. They were inducted as honorary members of the Dante Alighieri Society and recipients of “I Migliori” Award presented by the Pirandello Lyceum for excellence in their chosen field. In addition, they received the George Washington Medal of Honour for outstanding contribution to community work around the country. In 1992 a scholarship was established in their name for a deserving music student at their Alma Mater, Boston University. Over the years they have had the honour of performing for Presidents of Germany, Italy and at the White House in the United States.

Very special to the brothers has been their work with Dave Brubeck, who personally entrusted his original two-piano music to them. They have premiered his "Points on Jazz" as well as other pieces on both sides of the Atlantic. A highlight of their last few seasons was their joint appearance with Dave in several cities in Germany. This association has resulted in a premiere CD release on the Universal label with Brubeck’s music for two pianos.

The diverse repertoire of the Paratores encompasses the standard literature for piano duet and two pianos, as well as an ever-growing number of works either re-discovered or newly commissioned. Composers Wolfgang Rihm, Manfred Trojahn, and renowned American composer William Bolcom have written pieces especially for Anthony and Joseph.

Born in Boston of Italian descent, Anthony and Joseph Paratore come from a large, close-knit musical family. They began their careers as solo pianists; at age 17, Joseph appeared with the Boston Symphony and Anthony having toured South America.

They have appeared frequently on television programs, including NBC's Today Show and The Tonight Show, as well as on National Public Radio's syndicated news program All Things Considered and Performance Today. Additionally, the Brothers Paratore participated in television specials on PBS, including the 20th Anniversary of the Boston Pops with John Williams, Piano Pizzazz from Wolf Trap, and a special program entitled The Paratores: Two Brothers, Four Hands. Critic Richard Dyer of the Boston Globe noted that it was "fun to watch with a MTV dazzle. … talent is what the Paratore Brothers are all about."

July 2007
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