ABOUT ME
Angela Kleger is a lute player from Winterthur, Switzerland. She began guitar lessons at the age of nine. Her parallel interest in other instruments and timbres gradually shaped her guitar playing, leading to the development of her own personal sound. From 2011 to 2013, she studied at the Conservatory of Winterthur, where she explored a wide repertoire ranging from the Renaissance to the modern era, helping to define her musical orientation. Since 2013, her main focus has been the music of J. S. Bach, whose complete lute works, as well as the sonatas and partitas for solo violin, she soon explored in depth.
In 2017, she completed her higher musical education at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK). During her studies in Zurich, Angela met many distinguished guitar masters, including Leo Brouwer, from whom she received valuable guidance and knowledge. In 2019, she recorded the album Classical Fragments with guitarist Dimitar Ivanov, featuring classical works arranged for two guitars.
In September 2020, Angela signed with the label Naxos for a new album release: Goldberg Variations for two 10-string guitars, performed with Dimitar Ivanov as Duo Synaphé. The album was placed on the label’s priority list and released worldwide on August 27, 2021. Shortly after its release, it was nominated for the prestigious International Classical Music Awards (ICMA) for 2022.
ARTICLES
Article of "Pizzicato" - Remy Franck's Journal about classical music, Duo Synaphé's "Goldberg Variations" CD release with Naxos
"The Goldberg Variations, this time in an arrangement for two 10-string guitars! And you almost want to jump in the air with enthusiasm, because the transcription and the interpretation of the Duo Synaphé (Angela Kleger and Dimitar Ivanov) are so great that they completely inspire during 85 minutes. At every moment the listener has the impression that everything is one hundred percent correct, tempo, expression, structure and dynamics. And at the same time, the two musicians dispense with anything academic and let their fingers run free. Bach’s music comes across softer than on the piano and even more transparent than on the harpsichord. Two 10-string guitars allow for optimal transparence and expand the radius of what can be perceived, so that one can virtually hear the complete anatomy and structure of the Goldberg Variations. The performers also take a great deal of time. In all, their recording lasts over 84 minutes. In addition, Kleger and Ivanov play beautifully, enchanting the listener with every single note. For Bach and Goldberg fans, this CD is an absolute must."
Article of James Harrington, Fanfare Magazine, March 2022
"I am very impressed by the intimate nature of the Goldbergs on two guitars. I learned the Aria on my clavichord, which has a sound similar to the guitar. The skill and ensemble Kleger and Ivanov display here is awe-inspiring.
Duo Synaphé makes great, if understated, music with this masterpiece. I would go out of my way to hear them perform it in concert, and I will return to these discs again."
James Harrington, March 2022
© 2022 Fanfare Magazine
RECORDINGS
J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations
Arranged for two 10-string classical guitars
Johann Sebastian Bach’s Goldberg Variations is a contrapuntal tour de force, and one of the pinnacles in the history of the variation genre. Composed ‘to refresh the spirits of music-lovers’, it is a constantly fascinating and deeply enriching evocation of an entire musical universe. This arrangement with two ten-string guitars is a transcription of the original text including later corrections and additional musical indications made by the composer. The additional bass strings of these instruments provide an entire lower octave, giving access to the full range of musical timbres in this eternal masterpiece.
Bach’s Goldberg Variations has become one of this composer’s best loved and most popular compositions, not only in its original keyboard form but in a dizzying variety of arrangements for almost every imaginable combination of instruments. Arrangements for guitar duo can be found amongst these, but with their ten-string instruments, Duo Synaphé has the advantage of being truly able to access the all-important bass lines in this work, one of its chief binding elements and at least if not more important as the melody of that famous Aria with which it begins and ends.
Classical Fragments
Works from J.S. Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Bartok arranged for two classical guitars
Angela Kleger and Dimitar Ivanov founded Duo Synaphé in 2020 to present and record in their album «Classical Fragments» a new repertoire for two guitars - 6 and 10 strings. These works were originally written for symphony orchestra, solo piano or other instruments. The arrangements, made by Dimitar keep the original proportions and musical features of these works and propose a curious interpretation within the two guitars.
Having 4 bass strings more, the 10-string guitar offers an additional octave below the normal guitar. This brings to the voice movement larger possibilities and keeps an extended bass range approaching the piano, harpsichord or other lower range instruments.
The nature of the guitar takes these classical masterpieces into unknown dimensions of musical expression, sound colors and fragility.
Schumann: Kinderszenen
Arrangement for solo 10 string guitar
Angela Kleger arranged this work for 10-string guitar with a careful choice of tuning and with included fingering involved into the musical features giving a technical ease to the performer.
The additional notes, which must be played also with the left hand on the 4 additional strings is an innovative technique, which Angela also encourage to experiment with.
The arrangement preserves the original piano text and it’s tonal range between all different voices.
Playing on solo 10-string guitar, the work flows within it’s intimate character flourishing with colorful timbres and curious unexpected beauty.
CONTACT
Tel. +41 21 961 39 77