Lucas and Arthur Jussen (photo by Marco Borggreve)
Lucas, who turns 30 this month, and younger brother Arthur, 26, received their first piano lessons in their native town of Hilversum, as children were invited to perform for Dutch Queen Beatrix, and are now one of the most critically acclaimed performers of works for four-hand piano and two pianos.
Recording exclusively for Deutsche Grammophon since 2010, they’ve released award-winning albums of Bach, Mozart, Schubert and Rachmaninoff, as well as music by various modern and contemporary Dutch composers on their excellent 2022 album Dutch Masters. Together they are the ideal duo to realize Takemitsu’s Quotation of Dream, a composition HSO music director Juraj Valčuha describes as “some kind of discussion between silence and music, dream and reality.”
“That’s a beautiful description of the piece,” says Arthur of Valčuha’s interpretation, adding that while Takemitsu’s score is “very strict and mathematical,” the resulting music sounds quite open and free.
“The way we prepared it was very different from preparing Schubert or Rachmaninoff,” says Lucas, who confirms counting the piece’s constantly changing meters and “abstract” notes was a challenge at first, but one the brothers were able to master. “You start to play just trusting your gut feeling,” explains Lucas. “And that’s how it should be. This piece should be played in a romantic and sensitive way.”
“You have to play it as if it’s a memory of a dream or an imagination of something you remember,” says Arthur.
And like moments remembered from a dream, Takemitsu incorporates several immediately recognizable quotations from Debussy’s La Mer throughout the concerto, along with other excerpts of works he composed while inspired by the sea. Takemitsu, who died in 1996, compared these quotations to glimpses of hills and lakes surrounding the borders of a Japanese garden. Debussy too had a deep interest in and respect for Japanese culture, and upon completing La Mer, chose Hokusai’s dramatic woodblock print The Great Wave off Kanagawa as the image for its printed score.
Lucas and Arthur Jussen (photo by Marco Borggreve)
Lucas and Arthur Jussen (photo by Marco Borggreve)
This weekend will be the first time the Jussen brothers have performed Quotation of Dream for the public. Given the fact that they’re brothers, and seem to share a telepathic rapport while playing, can they sense when a performance is going especially well?
“Sometimes you have those types of concerts where you feel everything is going very naturally and the music is flowing,” says Lucas. “It’s very strange. That doesn’t always have to do with preparation, or how well you’ve practiced.” While maintaining a busy schedule of concert appearances across the globe can feel like trying to surf Hokusai’s great wave, Lucas and Arthur are adept at keeping it all in perspective. “We love to play the piano, but there are also other things in life that we appreciate very much,” says Arthur, who acknowledges eating healthy and getting enough sleep is not always possible given the demands of constant touring. Making time for sports, the music of Ray Charles, James Brown, and Stevie Wonder, and “a good glass of wine with people you love” are just a few things that help them maintain their equilibrium.
“It’s important to keep the fun alive,” says Arthur of life on the road with his brother. “We are very happy we can do this together, and that we can share those beautiful moments, and those moments when your luggage doesn’t arrive, have a good laugh and enjoy a beer after the concert. It keeps you sane.”
From Your Site Articles
- Prestigious HGO Program's New Music Director Arrives from San Francisco ›
- Orozco-Estrada's Return, a Tribute to George Gershwin, and More Season Highlights from the Symphony - Houston CityBook ›
- This Weekend: Beat the Heat with a Barbie Brunch, Harry Potter Party, and More! - Houston CityBook ›
- Symphony and Star Conductor Robertson Present Serendipitously Timed 'El Niño' Oratorio - Houston CityBook ›
- Halloweekend Vibes! Organist Brett Miller Brings Silent-Film Double-Feature to Life at Jones Hall - Houston CityBook ›
Related Articles Around the Web
City Boots
Wildly popular City Boots is opening a three-month pop-up in River Oaks District (4444 Westheimer Rd., Suite E130). Houstonians can shop the Texas-based handmade boots Thursday, Feb. 16 through Monday, May 15. The Houston store will be the third for the brand, with the first in Fort Worth and second in Dallas’ Deep Ellum.
Known for her iconic, limited-edition Heart Boot and Lightning Boots, Amarillo native and Founder Lizzy Chesnut Bentley’s designs boast an elevated, feminine and flattering fit made with premium materials that have garnered the brand lifelong fans. The 30-plus styles of boots will be complemented by vintage wood and leather pieces, pops of color and cactus. The space will center around a ranch-house aesthetic with leather couches.
Five new styles — dubbed the Houston Collection — will launch at the opening and will be exclusive to the Houston store for the first week before being available online. Houston Ballet dancers served as models for the collection's debut photography.
“I have roots in Houston, and the first steps of bringing City Boots to life happened in this city,” said founder and CEO Lizzy Chesnut Bentley in a release. “After graduating college, I began my oil and gas career in Houston, and this opportunity to launch the new Houston collection in its namesake city right before the Houston Rodeo was the perfect fit.”
Kemo Sabe
Kemo Sabe, the Colorado-based high-end western brand, is popping up in Rice Village Thursday, Feb. 23 through Saturday, March 11. After wrapping up their three-week show at the Fort Worth Stockyards, the Kemo Sabe Roadhouse crew is staying put in the Lone Star State for a 17-day pop-up at 2414 University Blvd., Suite 100.
Sales wranglers will be slinging top selections of hats, boots, buckles, knives, apparel and more. “We are thrilled to be bringing Kemo Sabe to Houston Rice Village in just a couple weeks,” notes Arna Einarsdottir, vice president. “We can’t wait to show off our pretty, gritty Kemo Sabe style that is what sets us apart from other western stores.”
Teressa Foglia
Bespoke hatmaker Teressa Foglia is hosting a Rodeo kickoff Wednesday, Feb. 22 from 5-8pm at her River Oaks District atelier (4444 Westheimer Rd., Suite E135). In-store pop-ups include Any Old Iron, Julia Clancey’s luxury kaftans, fine jewelry from Samantha Knight, Casa del Sol Tequila and more. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Houston Petset.
Tidbits
The annual Tidbits Rodeo Market is back at M-K-T Heights Saturday, Feb. 11 from 10am-4pm. Situated near Chloe Dao and sweetgreen, expect to find custom hats, bandanas, turquoise and more. Tickets are $5 and include a ranch water.
From Your Site Articles
- Style a While! Here's a Massive Retail Roundup with the Season's Coolest Pop-Ups, Openings and More ›
- This Weekend: Get Rodeo Ready in Rice Village, with Posh Pop-Ups and a Family-Friendly Festival ›
- Vacay-Ready Frocks, Rodeo Wear and More: Where to Shop This Month ›
- Rodeo Tix on Sale NOW! Here’s Who’s Playing When - Houston CityBook ›
- Get Rodeo Ready at These Cool Apparel Pop-ups, Y’all! - Houston CityBook ›
Related Articles Around the Web