International Nezhdanova-Paczek Duo Performs Works for Cello and Piano This Thursday
On Thursday, May 7th at 7:00 P.M., Emmanuel Episcopal Church will host the Nezhdanova-Paczek Duo in concert.
What was intended as a one-time endeavor following an invitation to the 2016 North Carolina Bach Festival, the Nezhdanova-Paczek Duo became a lifelong professional and personal partnership.
Known for their critically acclaimed performances, this international duo will offer selections from cello concertos by Edward Elgar, Joseph Haydn, Antonin Dvořák, and Sergei Rachmaninov. The duo will also perform Rachmaninov’s haunting “Vocalise” as well as the Variations on a Slovak National Song by Bohuslav Martinů.
Of special note is the performance of Wen Hexigetu’s “Blooming” for cello and piano. Hexigetu is a Doctor of Musical Composition and professor and Master’s supervisor at Inner Mongolia Minzu University. “Blooming” won the Excellence Award at the 2nd Chinese Minority Chamber Music Composition Competition.
Dr. Roman Placzek is a Czech-born cellist with a 30-year international career as a soloist, chamber musician, and principal player with major orchestras. He has performed as a featured soloist on tours throughout Inner Mongolia and Europe. Placzek is a familiar name in North Carolina, having performed at festivals including the North Carolina Bach Festival and the Eastern Music Festival.
He has held principal and section positions with Pro Musica Salzburg Chamber Orchestra, Newton Symphony, Chelsea Opera, North Carolina Bach Festival Ensemble, North Carolina Symphony, and Denmark’s Odense Symphony. During his career, Dr. Placzek has collaborated with artists across genres and affiliations, including legendary American singer Roberta Flack, famous British actor Corin Redgrave, world-renowned Argentine composer Osvaldo Golijov, remarkable American violinists Nadja Salerno‑Sonnenberg, Charles Treger, Ruggiero Ricci, and James Buswell,and extraordinary pianists such as Russian piano virtuoso Konstantin Lifschitz and American piano icon William Wolfram.
Dr. Elena Nezhdanova, is an international pianist - an orchestral soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician - who made her orchestral debut at age eight in her native Russia. She performs across the United States, China, and Europe. Significant achievements include performing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Sichuan Philharmonic (Chengdu, China) and her numerous American recitals.
A devoted chamber musician and co‑founder of the Nezhdanova‑Placzek Duo, she toured Inner Mongolia in 2025, performed at the Acacia Tree Cultural Festival in Dalian, and won Gold and Best Chamber Ensemble at the 2021 WPTA–Singapore International Piano Competition.
Elena is a sought‑after piano clinician and teacher; several of her students have debuted at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall.
Seating for Thursday’s concert is first come, first served, with a suggested donation of $10 per person.
In addition to Thursday’s Nezhdanova-Placzek Duo concert, two other exciting musical opportunities remain for the month of May.
On Tuesday, May 12th, Dr. Kimberly Marshall, Professor of Organ at Arizona State University, will perform an organ recital centered on the theme of the Te Deum, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of our C.B. Fisk pipe organ.
Then, on Sunday, May 17th at 5 P.M., the Emmanuel Choir and Choristers will offer Choral Evensong. Of special note will be the world-premiere of a new set of Evening Canticles by Australian composer June Nixon.