BIOGRAPHY

The real-life marriage of two celebrated pianists, Alessio Bax and Lucille Chung, has blossomed into one of the most dynamic piano duos of their generation. UK’s Music and Arts praised their artistry, declaring: “Theirs is a marriage of wondrous colours and dextrous aplomb, subtly balanced to make a musical performance sound as one.” Since 2015, they have served as Johnson-Prothro Artists-in-Residence at SMU Meadows School of the Arts, inspiring students and audiences alike with their artistry and mentorship.

Praised for creating “a ravishing listening experience” (Gramophone), Italian Alessio Bax combines lyrical sensitivity, penetrating insight, and dazzling virtuosity. A First Prize winner at both the Leeds and Hamamatsu International Piano Competitions and recipient of the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant, Bax has appeared with more than 100 orchestras worldwide, including the London and Royal Philharmonic orchestras, Dallas and Houston symphonies, the NHK Symphony in Tokyo, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic under Yuri Temirkanov, and the City of Birmingham Symphony with Sir Simon Rattle. His extensive discography on Signum Classics and Warner Classics has earned accolades such as Gramophone’s “Editor’s Choice” and “Critic’s Choice,” affirming his place among today’s foremost pianists. He has been on the piano faculty of Boston’s New England Conservatory since the fall of 2019 and serves as co-artistic director of the Joaquín Achúcarro Foundation for emerging pianists.

Born in Montréal, pianist Lucille Chung has been hailed by Gramophone for her “stylish and refined” performances. She made her orchestral debut at age 10 with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, later joining Charles Dutoit and the orchestra on an Asian tour. Winner of the Stravinsky International Piano Competition, she has performed with more than 65 orchestras, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Moscow Virtuosi, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Seoul Philharmonic, Israel Chamber Orchestra, and all of Canada’s major symphonies. Collaborating with such luminary conductors as Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Krzysztof Penderecki, Vladimir Spivakov, and Peter Oundjian, Chung has earned an international reputation for her brilliant technique and expressive artistry.

Together, Bax & Chung bring a rare synthesis of passion, elegance, and precision to the stage. Their duo performances have captivated audiences in the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, Asia, and beyond, appearing at prestigious festivals and venues including Verbier, Music@Menlo, Mainly Mozart, Bard, Schloss Elmau, the Ottawa Chamber Festival, and the Felicja Blumental Festival in Tel Aviv, among many others.

Their recordings reflect both adventurous programming and impeccable musicianship. Their debut duo album on Signum Classics features Stravinsky’s original four-hand Petrouchka alongside waltzes and tangos by Brahms and Piazzolla. Other highlights include the complete works of György Ligeti for piano duo (Dynamic), which received France’s Répertoire R10 rating and Germany’s Fono Forum five-star review; Carnival of the Animals with the Fort Worth Symphony and narrator Michael York; and Poulenc: Works for Piano Solo and Duo (Signum), hailed for its brilliance and stylistic flair.

The duo’s concerto collaborations showcase both range and versatility, spanning Bach’s Concerto for Two Pianos BWV 1062, Mozart’s Concerto K. 365, Bartók’s Concerto for Two Pianos, Percussion, and Orchestra, Poulenc’s Concerto in D minor, Saint-Saëns’ beloved Carnival of the Animals, and John Adams’ Grand Pianola Music. Their recital repertoire—constantly expanding—offers audiences both cornerstones and discoveries of the piano duo literature. In addition to concert performances, Bax & Chung are passionate educators, offering master classes and workshops to the next generation of pianists.

September 2025

PHOTOS

Photograhy

Lisa-Marie Mazzucco

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