Federica Monti and Fabio Bianco’s partnership began in 2007, with the conferment with honours of the 2nd Level Academic Diploma in “Musical Disciplines” at the “S. Pietro a Majella” Music Conservatory in Naples.

 

Both musicians come from considerable experience both as soloists and as chamber musicians, yet they have discovered in a brief space of time that they are able to unite their musical talents in a  highly natural manner.

 

They immediately gained positive approbation at exhibitions, festivals and music seasons, and at national and international concerts.

 

Under the guidance right from the beginning of Valeria Lambiase, instructor in Chamber Music at the Music Conservatory of Naples, they were admitted in 2007 to the class of M° Pier Narciso Masi at the Academy of Music at Florence.

 

From 2007 to 2012 they were winners of multiple National and International Competitions :
 “ Città di Camerino ” Young Musicians’ Competition;
 “Città di Bacoli” 13th Competition, piano four hands category;
 “ Giulio Rospigliosi” Competition , piano four hands category;
 “ Riviera Etrusca” ( Piombino) Competition, piano four hands category;
   19th International Piano Competition “Roma 2009”, piano four hands              category   

 "21th International Piano Competition “Roma 2011”, two piano category.

 

Their performances have always been distinguished for their refinement of interpretation, their fervor and freshness, and a brilliance and vigour brought to the language of chamber music which derives not just from musical experience, but also from a profound and intimate union.

 

In June 2009, they received the Biennial DIPLOMA (2007/2009) in Academy Mastery for Musicians with M° Pier Narciso Masi at the Academy of Music of Florence and in the same month  they were admitted at the Hochschule fur Musik und Theater in Munich where they are studying
with the renowned Tal - Groethuysen piano duo.

 

The Duo Monti & Bianco is regularly invited to perform at Musical Season and Festival  throughout Italy and Europe 

In a brief period of time they extended their repertoire, which ranges from Bach to contemporary  music and it includes the most important compositions for piano 4 hands and for 2 pianos .
Since the beginning, however, the Duo has given particular importance to the discovery of important and fascinating works from the piano 4 hands repertory which have been unjustly forgotten , such as works by Carl Reinecke , Joseph Rheinberger , Hermann Goetz , Max Reger .
They have always been applauded by both the public and critics alike as musicians with a great  communication skills and with an elegant and intimate union.

Throughout the years, the Duo has been appreciated for their brilliant technique , passion and intimacy , and for the remarkable quality
of their sound .

In February 2011 the Duo was invited to play in the prestigious “ Klavier Festival” in Monaco of Bavaria with the rare performance of the

Reinecke’ s Sonata op. 35 for piano 4 Hands .
In May 2011 , the Duo debuted in the “ Scarlatti Hall” at the Conservatory of Naples “ S. Pietro a Majella” with the Concert op. 153 by C. Czerny for piano 4 hands and Orchestra.

In July 2011 the Duo received the “ Meisterklassediplom” at the Hochschule für Musik und Teather of Munich in the class of the Duo Tal – Groethuysen .
In October 2011 , Federica Monti and Fabio Bianco won the First Prize at the 21th International Piano Competition “Roma 2011”, Two Piano category.
In May 2012 the Duo won the Second Prize at the “Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition”- New York , Piano 4 Hands category .
In July 2012 the Duo was invited to play at the Klavier Marathon Rogaska

( Slovenia) in the famous Krystal Hall where Liszt played in 1846 .