The HIRSCH-PINKAS PIANO DUO had its unintended debut at a Valentine's Day Concert at Dartmouth College. Their audience's enthusiastic response convinced the two, already married though pursuing separate careers, to follow suit. Pinkas and Hirsch have since presented Duo recitals to enthralled audiences in the USA and throughout the world. They made their European debut in 1995 at the Officina Musicale Scotese in Abruzzo, Italy, where they have been returning regularly. They have toured and taught in Nigeria, China, Russia, Italy, Bulgaria and Israel, with repeat performances in many of the venues. Summer Festival credits include Music Ninety Eight at the Cincinnati Conservatory (USA), Kfar Blum (Israel), Pontlevoy (France), and PpIANISSIMO (Bulgaria).

Sally and Evan bring to their collaborations virtuosity, passion, and spontaneous warmth. Adventurous in their musical explorations, their repertoire includes rarely-heard works such as Messiaen’s Visions de l’amen, Milhaud’s La création du monde and Gian Francesco Malipiero's Dialogo no. 2. The Duo has collaborated with and recorded the works of composers Daniel Pinkham, Peter Child, Thomas Oboe Lee and Kui Dong for the Arsis, Albany and Otherminds labels. Their close friendship with American composer George Rochberg (1918-2005) culminated in the commission of his monumental Circles of Fire for two pianos, which the two premiered and recorded for Naxos. Three more discs featuring Rochberg's solo piano works, recorded by the two individually, were also released by Naxos, and the fifth and final release is due in 2012.

Since its formation, the Hirsch-Pinkas Piano Duo has performed most of the masterpieces for the genre, including works by Byrd, Mozart, Schubert, Brahms, Rachmaninoff, Debussy, Ravel, Tcherepnin, Copland, Bolcom, Barber and Bartók. Works especially arranged by Hirsch, including surprise encores (dedicated to his wife) often round up their programs. Popular with young musicians, the two enjoy interacting with their audience and encourage presenters to schedule Masterclasses and Open rehearsals in conjunction with their concerts. Pinkas and Hirsch hold teaching positions at Dartmouth College (NH) and Brandeis University (MA). They live in Medford (MA), with their cat Belle and their three pianos.

SALLY PINKAS is Professor of Music and Artist-in-Residence at Dartmouth College (NH). She holds degrees from Indiana University and the New England Conservatory, and a PhD in Composition from Brandeis University. Pinkas has recorded solo works by Schumann, Fauré, Debussy and Christian Wolff on the MSR, Musica Omnia, Centaur, and Mode labels. Chamber music releases include works by Gaubert and Martinu (with Fenwick Smith, Naxos) and Piano Quartets by Fauré (with the Adaskin Trio, MSR). Upcoming releases include the Fauré Barcarolles for solo piano, and chamber works for Oboe, Viola and Piano with Ensemble Schumann (both for MSR).

EVAN HIRSCH, an active recitalist and chamber player, holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from SUNY Purchase and a Master of Music from New England Conservatory. In addition to teaching piano and chamber music at Brandeis University, he has been on the Adult Education faculty at the New England Conservatory, and has taught at Dartmouth College as a Visiting Professor. Hirsch has performed with many contemporary ensembles throughout New England, and has recorded for New Albion and Arsis. Upcoming releases include selections from Vingt Regards, Messiaen (MSR) and the final volume of George Rochberg: Piano Music (Naxos).