Be immersed into the world of tango by the most internationally renowned Finnish classical violin and jazz piano duo of our decade.

These virtuosi have both traversed the globe and have individually toured Australia – Pekka with the Symphony Orchestras and the Australian Chamber Orchestra and Iiro with Trio Töykeät and solo.

Having studied music since the age of three, violinist Pekka Kuusisto is one of the most versatile musicians working today. Always demonstrating his extraordinary individuality and imagination, Pekka is free and fluid in his approach and has been acclaimed for the spontaneity in his playing.

After touring the world for 18 years, Iiro Rantala is at the forefront of international pianism. The energetic Finn crosses music genres and styles with flair and is second to none when it comes to keyboard technique and showmanship.

“Pekka Kuusisto may be the best thing to happen to classical music in years’’ The Guardian, 2007

“….His (Iiro Rantala) playing to put it mildly is virtuoso. One must perhaps go all the way bacvk to Franz Liszt to find the same kind of virtuosity. At least there is lots of romanticism in Rantala”  Berlingske Tidene/Copenhagen 1998

“Lending his wayward genius to all this was the guest solo violinist, Pekka Kuusisto. What an extraordinary sound he makes, tremulous as a reed, often folk-like in its flatness, and yet so expressive.” The Telegraph, February 2010

Planet is the Brisbane Powerhouse dedicated world music and dance program. This project has received financial assistance from the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. 

Duration 1hr 50mins, including interval

Pekka Kuusisto image by Sonja Werne

Iiro Rantala images by Lutz Voitlander and Maarit Kytoharju

Duo image by Lauri Salo

More here: http://www.brisbanepowerhouse.org/events/view/pekka-and-Iiro-in-concert/