A four-hand piano duo consists of two pianists playing together on one piano, with each pianist typically playing different parts of the musical arrangement. This creates an incredibly rich tapestry of sound, texture, and rhythm that's impossible to achieve with solo piano performance. The collaboration allows for complex harmonies, intricate rhythms, and dynamic contrasts that span the full range of the instrument.

Four-hand piano uses one piano with two players, requiring intimate coordination and shared use of the pedals and instrument. Two-piano music uses separate instruments. Four-hand playing creates unique challenges and opportunities—we must synchronize our breathing, pedaling, and musical phrasing while sharing the same keyboard space, creating a more intimate musical dialogue.

Our repertoire spans classical masterworks originally written for four hands (like Schubert's Grand Duo and Brahms' Hungarian Dances), romantic favorites, hidden gems from unknown composers (like female composers Mel. Bonis and Cecile Chaminade), contemporary pieces, and our own innovative arrangements of popular songs. We love exploring both traditional classical works and creating fresh interpretations of beloved melodies from various genres.

Four-hand piano presents unique challenges that differ from solo playing. It requires exceptional listening skills, precise timing, and the ability to blend musically with another pianist. Players must coordinate dynamics, phrasing, and pedaling while maintaining their individual musical lines. However, it also offers the joy of musical collaboration and the ability to create sounds impossible for one pianist alone.

Madalina (Mada) brings Romanian classical training with deep European musical traditions, while Hugh offers a Korean-American perspective with his education and faculty years at The Curtis Institute of Music. Together, we combine over 60 years of professional experience, classical training from prestigious institutions, and award-winning performance credentials.

We're proud recipients of multiple 2023 awards, including First Prize at the London International Competition, First Prize at the Charleston International Competition, and the Gold Prize at the Euterpe Music Awards. These recognitions validate our commitment to artistic excellence and our unique approach to four-hand piano performance.

We’ve been performing together since 2022, developing our unique artistic partnership through our live concerts, video recordings, and unique arrangements of popular tunes and traditional Romanian folk music.

Yes! While our primary focus is our four-hand piano duo, we also maintain active solo careers. Madalina recently performed at the Ruhr Klavierfestival in Germany, and we both enjoy exploring the full range of piano literature in various formats.

We perform at a wide variety of venues and events including:

- Classical concert halls and music festivals

- Educational institutions and masterclass series

- Private events and celebrations

- Corporate functions and cultural events

- Chamber music series and house concerts

- International festivals (like the Enescu Festival in Romania)

We recommend booking 3-6 months in advance for most performances, though we occasionally have availability for closer dates. For major festivals or specific seasonal programming, booking 6-12 months ahead ensures the best scheduling options.

We require a quality acoustic piano (grand piano preferred, upright acceptable for smaller venues) with either two adjustable artist benches or one standard duet bench. We can work with most standard concert pianos, though we particularly enjoy performing on Bösendorfer, Yamaha, Steinway, Petrof and other professional-grade instruments. We'll work with your venue to ensure optimal setup and acoustics. For larger venues, we request a vocal microphone, as we like to talk about the pieces we play.

Absolutely! We're passionate about sharing the art of collaborative piano performance. Our educational offerings include:

- Interactive concert presentations about four-hand piano

- Masterclasses for piano students and teachers

- Workshops on musical collaboration and ensemble playing

- School residencies and community outreach programs

Performance fees vary based on the type of event, venue size, travel requirements, and program length. Please contact us through our booking inquiry form for a detailed quote tailored to your specific needs. We're committed to working within reasonable budgets while maintaining our professional standards.

Yes! While we are based in the Philadelphia area (USA), we regularly perform internationally and have upcoming shows in Romania, Germany, and across the United States. We're experienced with international travel logistics and work with venues to coordinate travel arrangements for overseas performances.

We love exploring new repertoire! If you have specific pieces in mind, let us know during the booking process. If we don't currently have a piece in our repertoire, we may be able to create a custom arrangement or learn new works with sufficient advance notice.

Yes! We specialize in creating original four-hand arrangements of popular songs, film music, and other non-classical pieces. Each arrangement is crafted to maximize the dynamic possibilities of two pianists at one instrument. Custom arrangements require additional preparation time and may involve supplementary fees.

Our original arrangements are available to our Patreon supporters as exclusive benefits. We also occasionally make select arrangements available for purchase. Due to copyright considerations, we cannot always share arrangements of contemporary popular music.

We design programs to create compelling musical journeys that showcase the versatility of four-hand piano. We consider the venue, audience, and occasion while balancing familiar favorites with exciting discoveries. We're happy to collaborate with presenters to create programs that meet specific themes or preferences.

The Mada & Hugh Podcast offers behind-the-scenes insights into our creative process and features live performances recorded in our studio, as well as interviews with prominent musicians and musical influencers. Each episode explores different aspects of four-hand piano music, our touring experiences, and conversations with other musicians. You can find it at madahugh.com/podcast.

There are several ways to support our mission to share beautiful four-hand piano music:

- Join our Patreon page for exclusive content and early access to videos

- Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on concerts and new releases

- Follow us on social media and share our content

- Attend our live performances when we're in your area

- Book us for events or recommend us to venues and presenters

Our Patreon community receives:

- Early access to all videos before public release

- Exclusive sheet music of our original arrangements

- Behind-the-scenes content from recording sessions and tours

- Opportunities for private virtual performances

- Direct interaction with us through supporter-only content

Yes! We adapted during the pandemic to offer high-quality virtual concerts and have continued this service for audiences worldwide. Virtual performances can be live-streamed or pre-recorded, depending on your needs and technical requirements.

Start by visiting our booking inquiry page or contacting us directly through our website. Please provide details about your event date, venue, expected audience size, and any specific programming preferences. We'll respond promptly with availability and detailed information.

Yes! Our digital press kit includes high-resolution photos, detailed biographies, program notes, technical requirements, and promotional materials. It's available for download on our website and provides everything venues need for marketing and program planning.

We love connecting with our audiences! We typically make ourselves available after concerts for brief meet-and-greets, photos, and conversations about the music. This is one of the joys of performing—hearing how the music affected listeners and sharing our passion for four-hand piano.