Duo46 Carries the Classical Torch
By Kevin Downey
North Phoenix-based husband and wife team Matt Gould and Beth Ilana Schneider of Duo46 aren’t your average musicians. The classically trained duo, named for the four strings on a violin and six on a guitar, are constantly performing to sold-out crowds around the world and recording CDs, including the highly acclaimed Aires de Sefarad.
But Duo46 takes an uncommon approach to classical music that makes the pair appealing to teenagers and college kids as well as classical aficionados. They play only contemporary classical music, often beautiful and melodic, and occasionally plunging deep into avant-garde territory, where violin bows are pulled along guitar strings and trios perform with computer programs.
“It’s all written for us, which is what we like to do and like to play,” Gould says. “Whatever it is, it has to be from living people. That’s something we feel we have to do as musicians for classical music to continue on.”
Gould and Schneider spent some years in Europe and now teach at Paradise Valley Community College. They also focus on reaching audiences in rural areas. The couple launched a ten-day instructional music festival four years ago near Milan, Italy, called Soundscape. A similar festival planned for the United States is in its early stages. Travels often keep the couple from Valley stages, but they occasionally play gigs with Crossing 32nd Street.
“We’re starting to play with this group around town, really avant-garde stuff,” Gould says.
Duo46 is recording a new CD with music written for them by Arizona composer Daniel Asia, and is gearing up for the February 2008 Fiftieth Annual Grammy Awards. Their work as a trio with pianist Nathanael May is in contention for four nominations. And, as always, they are traveling the world playing to fans, young and old.
For more information on Duo46, including their schedule, visit duo46.com. Grammy nominations will be announced December 6.