Boris Bizjak and Marcelle Zahra have been good friends since they first met through a mutual friend a few years ago. Although in the past they had frequently talked about forming a duo, they didn't start playing together until last year.
"As musicians do, every time we meet up, we would talk about music, musicians, current concerts we are involved in, and would frequently share ideas and inspire each other to create new projects," recalls Marcelle. "It was only a matter of time until we decided to join forces and start working on a selection of pieces.
"Firstly, we wanted to check out how we would feel playing as a duo; and we also wanted to try out the programme we prepared in a concert setting. Having known each other made it easier to obtain the musical communication required, and the dynamic between us felt right instantly," she adds.
Boris and Marcelle's first concert took place in June 2018 in a small local theatre in Blackheath, where they reside. Since then they've played a few other concerts in London and they are now very much looking forward to their next destination, Malta.
Music from the Heart of Europe features music by celebrated European Romantic composers including Dvorak, Donizetti, C Schumann, Chaminade, and Briccialdi. Boris and Marcelle divulge that they are attracted to this genre not only because of the romantic feelings it evokes but also because the instruments - in this case flute and piano - had developed to the highest technical level at this point in history, enabling composers to free themselves and write completely from the heart.
"This new way of expression had actually already begun during the Baroque era but, due to the instrumental technical restrictions at the time, it was not until Classicism and early Romanticism that it became more achievable," explains Boris. "The flute was very different before the 1850s, so composers didn't write any substantial works for the flute before then. We also know that pianos were developing constantly; they were getting more and more refined in sound, and evolving the sensitivity and use of the sustain pedal, and the music advanced accordingly. We chose to perform music by Romantic composers because we want to demonstrate and express the peak of the human feelings through the instruments."
Given the current turmoil in Europe, especially with Brexit, the duo admits it was a conscious choice to celebrate the diversity of European composers. They express their concern that Brexit will have a negative impact on many classical musicians since their work predominantly requires the freedom of movement across Europe and worldwide. "One can say that Brexit is like a step back prior to Beethoven's time, where the union movement was in full swing," muses Boris. "After all, Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy' expressed the latter and is today's European anthem. And in a way we will also express our opinions through the music, just like Beethoven did."
Although the repertoire in Music from the Heart of Europe comes from within one period, Marcelle and Boris's choice captures a variety of nuances and contrast in character, spirit, colours and ambiences. They promise that it will be a feast of European music, exploring light-hearted and invigorating tunes, romantic heartfelt harmonies, flourishing virtuosity, and heroic sentiments.
Music from the Heart of Europe will take place in the Concert Hall of the Malta Society of Arts, within Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta, on 13 April 2019 at 6pm. Tickets available from: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/music-from-the-heart-of-europe-tickets-54579504768
This concert is being organised in partnership with the Blackheath International Chamber Music Festival, London.