The invited pianists meet in a setting that deviates from the classical concert world, engaging in open musical dialogue without stylistic boundaries. The festival aims to give piano duos greater attention, recognition, and visibility in an improvisational context.
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VISUAL Piano Duo Festival
VISUAL Piano Duo Festival
Curated by Isabel Anders, the festival happened for the first time in 2024 and is presented since 2025 in collaboration with piano partner Marc Schmolling.
DAY 1 - 8.10.2025
Set 1: 20:30h
Helmut Bieler-Wendt & Roman Stolyar
Set 2: 21:20h
Chris Abrahams & Magda Mayas
DAY 2 - 10.10.2025
Set 1: 20:30h
Isabel Anders & Marc Schmolling
Set 2: 21:20h
Aki Takase & Alexander von Schlippenbach
About the pianists:
Roman Stolyar Born in Novosibirsk, studied jazz piano and composition. International festivals, numerous collaborations and releases. Lived in Russia; active in Berlin since 2023. Author of Modern Improvisation: A Practical Guide for Piano.
Helmut Bieler-Wendt Studied violin, piano, and composition with Wolfgang Rihm in Karlsruhe. Compositions for music theatre, sound installations, radio; international performances. Co-founder of Musicirkus label, long teaching career, numerous releases.
Chris Abrahams Born 1961 in New Zealand, grew up in Sydney. Pianist and keyboardist in modern jazz, film music, improvisation. Numerous solo albums, international collaborations. Regular performances in Australia and Europe.
Magda Mayas, Berlin-based pianist and composer. Developed unique vocabulary on prepared piano; international festival presence. Collaborations with leading artists; over 40 CD releases. Teaches improvisation in Lucerne; curates festivals.
Marc Schmolling, Composer and pianist, living in Berlin since 2006. Performs with international jazz and impro scene. Awards, concerts, commissions for choirs and orchestras. Co-founder of Jazzkollektiv Berlin; multiple solo albums released.
Isabel Anders, Composer, pianist, improviser, and curator in Berlin. Piano with Prodromos Symeonidis, composition with Stefan Streich. inspired by language, literature, art. focus on free improvisation and contemporary composition. performances in Europe, Asia, Switzerland, UK.
Aki Takase, Born 1948 in Osaka, studied music in Tokyo. International concerts and recordings with Schlippenbach, Erdmann, Lovens. Numerous awards; one of the most influential international pianists.
Alexander von Schlippenbach Born 1938 in Berlin. Studied in Cologne; leading European free jazz bandleader. Founder of Globe Unity Orchestra and Berlin Contemporary Jazz Orchestra. International concerts, solo programs, duo/trio work, Monk completions.
Dates
October 2025
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