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Utzon Music 2025 Balanas Sisters

16 February 2025

In the Utzon Room

Classical Music

An Australian and Utzon debut from Latvian-born siblings Kristīne Balanas (violin) and Margarita Balanas (cello), celebrated for their virtuosity and versatility, playing Vasks, Vivaldi, Ravel, Handel/Halvorsen, Cawrse and Hindson.

Savage, bold, dramatic playing.

The Strad

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Music played between siblings has its own deep magic

In this afternoon of musical kinship, The Balanas Sisters centre a work from a giant of Latvian composition Pēteris Vasks, whose austerely beautiful Castillo Interior — inspired by 16th century mystic Teresa of Avila —finds common aesthetic ground with Maurice Ravel’s yearning sonata, written in memoriam of Claude Debussy. Beginning their recital with a Handel Passacaglia originally composed for solo harpsichord, arranged in the 19th century by Norwegian Johan Halvorsen, they return later to their own arrangement of excerpts from another baroque favourite: light and storm from Antonio Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, played with sisterly mischief.  And in honour of their Australian debut, the Balanas Sisters have chosen Matthew Hindson’s Always on Time, and Anne Cawrse’s aptly named Sanctuary. We’re rapt to welcome Kristīne and Margarita, who are justly lauded as two of the most exciting artists of their generation — both as soloists, and when playing together in this symbiotic duo.

Presented by Sydney Opera House

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Artist Information

Kristīne Balanas
violin 

Margarita Balanas
cello

Program

George Frideric Handel arranged Johan Halvorsen Passacaglia in G minor

Anne Cawrse Sanctuary

Antonio Vivaldi arranged Balanas Sisters The Four Seasons (excerpts)

Matthew Hindson Always on Time

Pēteris Vasks Castillo Interior

Maurice Ravel Sonate pour violon et violoncelle 

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