FROM PARIS TO BUCHAREST

A Franco-Romanian Piano Dialogue

A woman with red curly hair and a tattoo on her arm sitting next to a man with long black hair both looking down at a grand piano during a performance or practice session.

The Mada & Hugh Piano Duo present a cultural exchange between two great musical traditions through piano four-hands, celebrating underrepresented French female composers, Romanian national identity, and original transcriptions of Dobrogean folk heritage.

The Program

  • A sepia-toned portrait of a female composer Mel. Bonis with curly hair, wearing a high-necked, ornate dress with textured fabric and decorative trim, in profile view.

    Mélanie Bonis (1858-1937)

    Suite en forme de valses, Op. 39

    A rediscovered treasure by one of the Paris Conservatoire's most gifted female composers. Bonis studied alongside Debussy under César Franck, yet her work remained largely unpublished during her lifetime due to gender barriers. This suite sparkles with French sophistication and harmonic innovation, revealing a voice that deserves recognition alongside her male contemporaries.

  • Black and white vintage portrait of female French composer Cecile Chaminade with elaborate, large hair and a lace-trimmed blouse or jacket.

    Cécile Chaminade (1857-1944)

    Selected Works for Piano Four-Hands

    Chaminade achieved unprecedented success as a female composer in Belle Époque Paris, touring extensively and earning the Légion d'honneur. Her piano works blend salon elegance with structural sophistication, demonstrating the artistic heights achieved by women composers despite institutional obstacles.

  • Black and white portrait of a young Romanian composer George Enescu in a suit with a tie, looking at the camera.

    George Enescu (1881-1955)

    Romanian Rhapsody No. 1, Op. 11 (arr. for four hands)

    The musical bridge between Paris and Bucharest. Enescu studied at the Paris Conservatoire under Massenet and Fauré, becoming Romania's greatest composer and a symbol of national identity. His rhapsodies fuse French compositional technique with authentic Romanian folk material, embodying the cultural synthesis at the heart of this program.

  • A Romanian castle perched on a hilltop overlooking a landscape with water and distant landforms during sunset.

    Traditional Dobrogean Folk Music

    Suita din Dobrogea (Suite from Dobrogea)

    Original transcriptions and arrangements by Hugh Sung. These rarely-heard melodies from Romania's southeastern Dobrogea region bring centuries-old village music into concert presentation for piano four-hands. The transcriptions preserve the modal character and rhythmic complexity of this fascinating musical heritage.

The Artists

  • Woman (Madalina Danila) with curly red hair, wearing a red lace dress and a pearl necklace, smiling, with a tattoo of a musical note on her upper arm, against a black background.

    Mădălina-Claudia Dănilă

    Romanian Pianist | European Debut: Ruhr Klavierfestival (Germany)
    Fortepiano Specialist | Historical Performance Practice

    Mădălina brings authentic Romanian heritage and European training to this Franco-Romanian dialogue. Her expertise in historical performance practice and fortepiano informs her approach to both 19th-century French repertoire and traditional Romanian music. Her European debut at Germany's prestigious Ruhr Klavierfestival established her as an artist of international caliber.

  • A man (Hugh Sung) in a tuxedo with a white bow tie playing a grand piano, smiling at the camera.

    Hugh Sung

    Curtis Institute of Music Alumnus | Former Curtis Faculty (18 years)
    Students: Jorge Bolet, Seymour Lipkin, Eleanor Sokoloff
    20-Year Duo Partnership with violinist Aaron Rosand

    Hugh's Curtis pedigree and decades of chamber music experience provide the foundation for this duo's artistry. His scholarly work transcribing Dobrogean folk music demonstrates commitment to expanding the piano four-hand repertoire while preserving endangered musical traditions. Co-founder of AirTurn page-turning technology.

Why This Program for Cultural Programming

  • Authentic Cultural Connection: Mădălina's Romanian heritage provides genuine cultural ambassadorship

  • Underrepresented Voices: Features female composers (Bonis, Chaminade) whose work enriches the standard repertoire

  • Original Scholarship: Dobrogean transcriptions represent new contributions to international piano literature

  • Franco-Romanian Dialogue: Traces authentic historical and artistic connections between France and Romania

  • Educational Component: Rich program notes illuminate cultural and historical context

  • Professional Credentials: Curtis training, recent international competition wins, established performing careers

  • Co-Presentation Potential: Program designed for French-Romanian cultural collaboration