Classic Concerts Presents: Marie Charpagne and Dale Backus
Sunday, June 7 at 6:00pm FREE Concert
As part of the Classic Concert Series hosted by Classic Pianos Denver, we invite you to join us in the Maurice Unis Concert Hall for a free concert on Sunday, June 7, featuring renowned pianists, Marie Charpagne and Dale Backus. Doors open at 5:30pm, and the concert begins at 6:00pm.
Two pianos — one magical evening
Marie Charpagne and Dale Backus combine for an evening shaped by international experience, musical depth, and shared artistry. With two-piano performances at the center of the program, their program includes a range of repertoire spanning Chopin, Brahms, Rachmaninoff, and Ravel.
Together, their backgrounds reflect a balance of performance and global experience, with appearances across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. As a duo, they explore the rich possibilities of the two-piano format, offering a blend of precision, energy, and musical interplay for an engaging and captivating performance.
Program
Frédéric Chopin (1810–1849) Selections from Chopin Preludes (1, 4, 3, 18–22)
Dale Backus
Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873–1943)
Suite No. 1 for two pianos
- Barcarolle
- Oh Night, Oh Love (or The Night…the Love)
- Tears
- Easter
Marie Charpagne — Primo
Dale Backus — Secondo
Intermission
Johannes Brahms (1833–1897)
Selections from Op. 118
Marie Charpagne
Maurice Ravel (1875–1937)
Boléro for two pianos, arranged by Ravel
Dale Backus — Primo
Marie Charpagne — Secondo
About the performers
Dale Backus began studying piano just before his fourth birthday, embarking on a lifelong musical journey that has taken him to concert stages around the world. He holds a Master of Music from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Wake Forest University. Between 2002 and 2006, he competed in several of the most prestigious international outstanding amateur piano competitions, including Paris, Berlin, and Rocky Mountain, as well as the renowned Van Cliburn Competition, earning top prizes. He has since been invited to perform at Les Amateurs Virtuoses festivals across six continents, with appearances in Paris, Shanghai, Saint Petersburg, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Marrakesh, and Calgary.
In Colorado, Dale has performed both as a soloist and alongside ensembles including the Colorado Springs Philharmonic and the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs, with featured works ranging from Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Addinsell’s Warsaw Concerto to Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto. He also maintains an active private teaching studio in Larkspur.
Born and raised in France, Marie Charpagne started studying the piano at the age of 12. She graduated from the Conservatory of Music in Saint-Étienne with the highest honors in 2013 and continued her education at the Rainier III Music Academy in Monte Carlo until 2016, along with private lessons with Muza Rubackyte in Paris. She was a 2nd prize winner at the San Diego amateur competition in 2019 and has since performed in France, England, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Italy, and the United States. Particularly curious about modern music, she was a member of the Contemporary Music Ensemble at the University of California Santa Barbara for 2 years.