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

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.