ELECTRUM DUO
“Flute and Percussion in a Role Switch”
Hailed by The New York Times as “a bounty of creative equanimity in an unorthodox pairing, “ Electrum Duo, made up of founders Ralph Sorrentino and Sophia Anastasia, is a flute and percussion duo who has appeared in concert throughout the northeast, presenting concerts all over the region, using a variety of flutes and percussion instruments. In May 2011, Electrum Duo premiered Robert Maggio’s ballet score, JLS, and in March 2017 the group premiered Maurice Wright’s Duo Fantasia. Electrum Duo has released two albums titled Introductions and Thoughts and recently performed at the annual New Jersey Flute Fair. The Duo made its New York City debut at Bargemusic in November of 2008 as part of the prestigious chamber music venue’s “Here and Now: American Contemporary Music” series. The New York Times music critic Steve Smith commented that “the Electrum players were persuasive advocates: Ms. Anastasia played with brightness and vigor, while Mr. Sorrentino pattered across drums, cymbals and woodblocks with an impressive feeling of flow.” Mr. Smith continued to say “the playing had an air of conversational spontaneity; each performer seemed to finish the other’s statements now and then…[Ms. Anastasia’s] vitality was neatly balanced by the graceful efficiency with which Mr. Sorrentino choreographed his manifold tasks throughout the evening. Perhaps it was the ability to play against that type that made these players cohere so effectively.”
Read the full article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/01/arts/music/01barg.html
an electrum concert experience
Performances encompass a broad range of musical genres, from standard twentieth-century repertoire to more eclectic works. The duo's tonal spectrum spans a wide variety of colors, making use of various flutes and a multitude of percussion instruments including vibraphone, marimba and multiple percussion. Electrum Duo's interest in promoting the music of young composers while adding to the flute and percussion duo repertoire has led them to explore several collaborative ventures and commissions. The Electrum Duo is available for: concerts, lecture recitals, master classes, workshops and artist residencies. Click below to learn more about these wonderful performance opportunities!
other Chamber Music experience
As an avid chamber musician, Ms. Anastasia has participated in numerous festivals and series including the Tree Tops Chamber Music Series, Cooperstown Chamber Music Festival, Ionization New Music Ensemble, Poetica Ensemble of Greek Folk Music, Yellow Barn Chamber Music Festival, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, Domaine Forget Music Festival, New Jersey Chamber Music Society and Spoleto Arts Flute Academy. Click below to learn more!