Concerts

“The concert concluded brilliantly with the Fantasy in F minor by Schubert. The two artists finished in an atmosphere of profound emotion… The audience, which overflowed the hall, gave the artists their warmest ovation.” — La Nazione (Florence, Italy)

“Sunday’s Musical question: What has sixteen fingers, four thumbs, two minds, one heart and leaps octaves hand over hand? Answer: Duo pianists Claire Aebersold and Ralph Neiweem. The husband-and-wife team played exquisitely a stirring program…they are consummate practitioners of pianism… The pair wasted no time dazzling the full house… They were as riveting to watch as to hear… The two played in complete sympathy with and understanding of each other.” — The Washington Post

“Such unity makes all entrances and cut-offs flawless, and creates an almost magical aura… Their music was so pleasurable it could be called “recreational” more than anything else…. This was a concert that reveled in the pleasures of pianism and invited the audience to join in the celebration.” — The Flint Journal (Flint, Michigan)

“The Liszt was exciting… played with precision, wonderful massive sounds, character and imagination.” — The Appleton Post-Crescent (Appleton, Wisconsin)

“Breathtaking precision…musical splendor. Throughout, they played with total internal communication, matching tempo fluctuations, dynamic shifts and accents hand-in-glove… We can be more than happy that such performers show the piano duet at its best.” — The Indianapolis Star

“Aebersold and Neiweem shared the music seamlessly, listening to the orchestra attentively and sounding like one instrument while passing musical lines back and forth.” (Poulenc Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra with Chicago Philharmonic) — The Chicago Sun-Times

“The duo returned after intermission for Igor Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring. Watching Aebersold and Neiweem perform this piece did seem, appropriately enough, like an intricate pas de deux. Beyond the visual spectacle of Aebersold and Neiweem’s arm gymnastics, the most satisfying aspect was the clarity of melodic line and breathtaking rubato. It also must be mentioned that despite the work’s inherent percussive nature, the duo performed with a lovely, resonant tone. Neiweem’s robust lower register provided a powerful foundation for Aebersold’s soaring, bell-like soprano. This extraordinary recital must have certainly been inspirational for the Chicago Duo-Piano Festival participants seated in the audience.” – The Contrapuntist

“A revelation…from the first touch of the keyboard it was clear that we were in for an evening of first-rate music making. La Valse (Ravel) proved to be a genuine tour de force, a performance much more exciting and evocative than the orchestral version… The audience jumped to its collective feet at the conclusion of the work. Such stunning musicianship and technical stamina won the hearts and admiration of the entire audience. I hope Aebersold and Neiweem return soon.” (Lane series recital, University of Vermont) – The Vermont Times-Sentinal

Recordings

“Utterly Charming…liquid smoothness…warmly affectionate…the pianists’ attention to detail yields rich rewards. Aebersold and Neiweem play like one very refined and dexterous twenty-fingered pianist.” – Gramophone

“A pleasure to hear…The balance between primo and secondo is just right…there is plenty of Schubertian charm to go around…the piano sounds wonderful…A solid effort well worth hearing.” – American Record Guide

“The four hand team of Claire Aebersold and Ralph Neiweem impress on several levels…Utmost sensitivity and chamber-like blend, laced with tasteful and uncannily synchronized rubatos, lightness and transparency. I can think of many a duetting pianist who’d be glad to claim the clarity and focus with which Aebersold and Neiweem shape Schubert’s polyphony.” – Classics Today

ACUCAA Event Reports

“Claire Aebersold and Ralph Neiweem thrilled our audience with their playing, and charmed everyone with their infectious enthusiasm… We’ll definitely invite them back…” — Lawrence University