Active between 2016 and 2022, the NOVA Guitar Duo stood out for their unique instrumentation, which combined the regular guitar with the eight-string “Brahms” guitar. This combination substantially increased the ensemble’s available range and expressive power, enabling them to explore uncommon repertoire through expert arrangements of music originally written for other instruments and ensembles, as well as new music commissions. The German-Brazilian duo was formed in 2016, when both its members were studying at the Royal College of Music in London. The freshness of their programs quickly led to appearances in some of the finest UK venues and festivals, including the London Guitar Festival in Kings Place, Wigmore Hall, Buxton Festival, St John’s Smith Square and Royal Albert Hall. Highlights of past seasons included the UK premiere of French composer Germaine Tailleferre’s Concerto for Two Guitars and Orchestra at RCM’s Britten Theatre in 2017, as well as a New York debut at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in 2018, sponsored by the Pro Musicis Foundation. Their debut album, Sortilegios (2019), with music from Spain and Brazil, was chosen as one of the “Top 10 Classical Guitar Albums of 2019” by Classical Guitar Magazine. Their second album, Journey, was released in 2022 and featured their own arrangements of music by Bartok and Janacek, as well as an original piece written for them by Israeli composer Lior Navok.
With this pairing – in addition to their individual gifts – there is a oneness of musical thought which makes them a rare find.
New York Concert Review