Kindred Spirits Lea & Esther Birringer

• Amanda Röntgen-Maier (1853 - 1894): 6 Pieces for Violin and Piano:
• 1 Röntgen-Maier: 6 Pieces for Violin and Piano: No. 1, Allegro vivace 03:44
• 2 Röntgen-Maier: 6 Pieces for Violin and Piano: No. 2, Allegretto con moto 02:25
• 3 Röntgen-Maier: 6 Pieces for Violin and Piano: No. 3, Lento 02:37
• 4 Röntgen-Maier: 6 Pieces for Violin and Piano: No. 4, Allegro molto 04:06
• 5 Röntgen-Maier: 6 Pieces for Violin and Piano: No. 5, Tranquillamente 04:06
• 6 Röntgen-Maier: 6 Pieces for Violin and Piano: No. 6, Allegro ma non troppo 07:45
• Edvard Grieg (1843 - 1907): Violin Sonata No. 2 in G Major, Op. 13:
• 7 Grieg: Violin Sonata No. 2 in G Major, Op. 13: I. Lento doloroso – Allegro vivace 08:56
• 8 Grieg: Violin Sonata No. 2 in G Major, Op. 13: II. Allegretto tranquillo 06:17
• 9 Grieg: Violin Sonata No. 2 in G Major, Op. 13: III. Allegro animato 05:29
• Clara Schumann (1819 - 1896): 3 Romances for Violin and Piano, Op. 22:
• 10 Schumann: 3 Romances for Violin and Piano, Op. 22: No. 1, Andante molto 03:11
• 11 Schumann: 3 Romances for Violin and Piano, Op. 22: No. 2, Allegretto 02:38
• 12 Schumann: 3 Romances for Violin and Piano, Op. 22: No. 3, Leidenschaftlich schnell 04:02
• Amanda Röntgen-Maier: Violin Sonata in B Minor:
• 13 Röntgen-Maier: Violin Sonata in B Minor: I. Allegro 08:40
• 14 Röntgen-Maier: Violin Sonata in B Minor: II. Andantino 04:13
• 15 Röntgen-Maier: Violin Sonata in B Minor: III. Allegro molto vivace 06:06
• Total Runtime 01:14:15

Info for Kindred Spirits

Lea und Esther Birringer
For years now Lea and Esther Birringer have played to artistic perfection in closely integrated harmony, creating together an "almost symbiotic body of sound" (NDR, Northern German Broadcasting). Although they both successfully embarked on their own paths as soloists at an early stage, because of their closeness as sisters they have developed a very special way of performing music together. These dynamic sisters share "the same wavelength, a compatible temperament and a blind understanding – core parameters for captivating interpretations in chamber music." They "are bursting with musical enthusiasm, perhaps even musical combativeness." (BR, Bavarian Broadcasting)

These virtuoso sisters play "in seamless harmony" (the "Saarbrücker Zeitung" newspaper), rising to ever new heights of brilliance:

Following their debut recording from three years ago (Avi-Music), which featured seldom-played repertoire from the 20th century, their new label Rubicon Classics now releases their second album 'Lifelines', containing late Romantic works. This sees the two sisters dramatically bridge the gap between the musical worlds of emotions of the 19th century, spanning the works of the phenomenal Edvard Grieg to the emotive elegies of Franz Liszt to the highly dramatic César Franck.

It was enthusiasm for the folkloric-lyrical character of the Norwegian's music that prompted Lea und Esther Birringer to immerse themselves in the early work of Grieg, from where they went on to explore the emotional diversity of the later compositions of Liszt and Franck.

The dynamic duo of sisters also draw the energy for their shared performances from the experience each of them has derived from her solo career.

Violinist Lea Birringer "knows exactly what she wishes to convey" ("DrehPunktKultur" cultural magazine). Her musical training, which includes a spell at Salzburg's Mozarteum, forms the basis for numerous awards and prizes which have taken her to major concert venues such as the Berliner Philharmonie, Hamburg's Laeiszhalle, Munich's Gasteig, Vienna's Musikverein and the Salzburg Festival. "Her performance is much more that of a musician than simply that of a violinist," (DrehPunktKultur).

Her sister, pianist Esther Birringer, generates equal enthusiasm with playing which is both sensitive and exciting. Her initial prize in the "Jugend musiziert" competition for young musicians in 1999 was only the first of many awards. This "bundle of energy" (the "Weißenburger Tagblatt" newspaper) has played with orchestras such as the Munich Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Brandenburg State Orchestra Frankfurt (Oder) and the Deutsche Streicherphilharmonie. In addition to Karl-Heinz Kämmerling, Esther Birringer's artistic mentors include Pascal Devoyon, Cécile Ousset and Arie Vardi.

Booklet for Kindred Spirits