Arzu & Gamze Kirtil

: PRESS QUOTES

"I have listened with great pleasure to the new CD by the duo Arzu and Gamze Kırtıl. They make the best use of their sparkling technique to deliver spirited and endearing interpretations. My warmest congratulations on their success." İdil Biret

"…d'une intimité et d'une profondeur rares… un éclat tout particulier sous les doigts agiles des deux artistes…. Les pianistes, toujours aussi unies et concentrées, ont trouvé maintes teintes subtiles pour charmer leurs auditeurs… Extrême virtuosité… soirée exceptionnelle… Les interprètes ont su mettre en valeur non seulement les passages paisibles et recueillis, mais également ceux qui semblent libérer un humour grinçant et une vive tension, offrant de la sorte une interprétation aux contrastes poignants… Arzu et Gamze Kirtil ont réussi à impressionner une fois encore par leur technique, leur ensemble, un sens aigu de l'équilibre sonore. Toutes deux ont privilégié les lignes mélodiques, soutenues par un emploi très méticuleux de la pédale." Luxemburger Wort

"A challenging repertoire for the recital by Arzu and Gamze Kırtıl, two promising Turkish pianists, which started with great aplomb and finished powerfully between heartfelt applause from the public… the venue provided a suitable atmosphere in which to savour the depth of the notes which floated in the air from the magical hands of the artists" Arretrati Anno

"This recording is evidence of a Turkish piano-duo tradition ... excellent recording from Arzu & Gamze Kırtıl ... The two sisters have put together a dramatic and impeccably organized programme. ... are interpreted with conviction, adapting to their different styles with ease, this makes them understandable, and that is a virtue beyond all praise. These very fine works and the keen awareness of dynamics demonstrate the twin’s remarkable and well-rehearsed ensemble playing." Andante


: BIOGRAPHY

Born in Istanbul, twin sisters Arzu and Gamze began their studies at the Ankara State Conservatory with Professor Tulga Cetiz, and continued with Tatiana Pikaizen and Ayşegül Sarıca. After receiving their Masters degrees, the sisters won a scholarship to study in Perpignan, France, with Marie-Christine Guichot, graduating with the Médaille d’Or. Receiving a further scholarship from the French Government, they progressed to the École Normale de Musique de Paris to study under Germaine Mounier, one of the most acclaimed teachers of her time. They graduated with a Diplôme Supérieur de Concertiste with the commendation of the jury.

The sisters gave their first concert as a duo in 1993, under Hikmet Şimşek, playing Mozart’s Concerto in E flat Major with the Ankara State Conservatory Orchestra. It was during their studies in Paris that they decided to establish their career as a piano duo, taking advantage of their innate rapport.
The duo won first prize at the 6th Medoc-Aquitaine Piano Competition in Bordeaux and were further rewarded at the 10th International Young Pianists Competition in Rome. They have since performed as a duo in France, Italy, Russia, United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Austria and Turkey. Keen to support new music, Arzu and Gamze have had several pieces specifically written for and dedicated to them, including Maria Lord’s Three Pictures for Two Pianos, which they premiered on the CD "Piano Duos". During the 2010 Istanbul City of Culture celebrations, the duo presented the world premiere of Teamwork I for four pianos by Wolfgang Gangkofner, a work dedicated to the duo.
Notable performances by Duo Kırtıl include St John’s Smith Square, London; Smolny Cathedral, St Petersburg; Aya Irini, Istanbul; Philharmonie de Luxembourg; Wiener Saal, Salzburg; Süreyya Opera House, Istanbul; Bellapais Abbey, Cyprus; and Salle Cortot, Paris. They have performed with numerous orchestras, including Antalya Symphony Orchestra, Bilkent Symphony Orchestra, Bursa State Symphony Orchestra, Presidential Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Britannica and CNR Perpignan Orchestra. They have collaborated with acclaimed conductors Tadeusz Strugała, Juosaz Domarkas, Peter Fender, Daniel Tosi, Erol Erdinç and Işın Metin among others.

Dividing their time between Luxembourg and Ankara, the sisters maintain a busy performing schedule, creating exciting new projects for festivals and special events. In addition to their stage appearances, Arzu and Gamze Kırtıl are sought-after teachers, holding regular master-classes and touring regional music schools in Turkey.