A recital in Paris, festival in Almeria, short tour in Panama and a trip to Vilnius (Lithuania) are just some of the events pencilled in the July and September pages of the diary for brothers Víctor and Luis del Valle who captivated the audience playing piano four hands at Villa Jardín in Sant Lluís on Saturday night.
The two young brothers from Málaga have rapidly made a name for themselves in the world of chamber music since their debut in Madrid's National Music Auditorium in November 2004. Critical acclaim has followed their many concerts in the intervening years and the pair have received numerous prizes and awards.
Although both Víctor and Luis do also play solo piano or in duos with other instruments such as the cello, normally they perform together, their compatability enhanced by a common background and musical upbringing which have nurtured a similar approach to the interpretation of the works that they play.
Piano four hands used to be rarely performed in chamber music concerts but gradually this style is becoming more accepted by organisers of such events. With more and more chamber music groups appearing on the international scene these days, and the classical music circuit being limited, it is hard for new musicians to make their mark and to make a living from performances alone. However, talent and the will to succeed have obviously paid off for the del Valle brothers whose name is now not only recognised in Spain but also further afield.
Their programme for the concert in Villa Jardín comprised Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 in C minor, op.67, Schubert's Fantasy in F minor, D. 940 and Manuel de Falla's La Vida Breve (The Brief Life): Two Spanish Dances; all of which were greatly appreciated by the eager audience which completely filled the courtyard of Villa Jardín; a lovely al fresco setting whose limited size creates a special intimacy between performer and spectator.
Speaking before the performance, Victor del Valle stressed the importance of events such as these chamber music concerts in places not easily accessible and the vital role they play in bringing cultural life to the island. Organised, as always, by Pilar Alonso and the FIDAH Foundation, the series of three concerts also included performances by the Ensemble of Cellos from the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Aragón on Friday night and the young Vietnamese guitarist Hang Nguyen on the Sunday.