Talented twins turn heads

The most exciting double cello act in Australian music today, Pei-Sian and Pei-Jee Ng, are turning heads for more reasons than one.

As soloists their talent is indisputable, but put the 22-year-old twin cellists on stage together and the impact is extraordinary.

Both graduates of the Elder Conservatorium, Pei-Sian and Pei-Jee have spent the past three years studying under Ralph Kirshbaum at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

Each was awarded scholarships in 2003 valued at a combined total of more than $120,000 for postgraduate study in the wake of their stunning success in South Australia and nationally.

Today, thanks to a recipe of hard work, talent and opportunity, the twins enjoy a global standing as cello soloists --and now as a duo.

In July 2006 they returned home to perform in Adelaide and Queensland at the première of Finnish composer Kalevi Aho's concerto for two cellos and orchestra.

"Those concerts in Adelaide, our home town, were incredibly special," said Pei-Sian. "You could feel the warmth from the audience because many of them had followed our career since we were children. The vibe was fantastic and we ended up giving three encores on the last night."

The twins also spent time in Sydney collaborating with renowned composer, Elena Kats-Chernin, on new work for their first national tour in 2007, encompassing 17 cities and regional towns.

This coming year will also see the twins travel to Hong Kong to make their debut with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra in May, performing a new double cello concerto specifically written for them by acclaimed Adelaide composer Graeme Koehne.

"We're always looking for modern compositions to play," Pei-Jee said. "There isn't much repertoire work available for cello duet pieces, so we're constantly on the lookout for new opportunities."

As international interest in the brothers grows, their value as a "package" increases. Yet that's not the primary reason they perform together.

"Our lives are intertwined and it's important that we live together and learn from each other," Pei-Sian said.

Inevitably, shared experiences and musical instruction have resulted in very similar playing styles, although their long-term goal is to develop as soloists.

At the Elder Conservatorium they studied under Janis Laurs, Principal Cellist with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.

Since September 2003 they have been students of Ralph Kirshbaum, regarded as one of the best cello teachers in the world.

"He has been so inspiring for us and has really changed our whole approach to playing," Pei-Sian said.

Introduced to the cello at the age of five, the twins took to the instrument immediately. "The sound and depth of the cello is extraordinary. It is a very intimate instrument with a range of vibrations," Pei-Sian said.

Notwithstanding their natural talent, the twins stick to a disciplined routine of five hours practice a day--not unusual for professional musicians, they claim.

"It's a very competitive world out there and we've had to work very hard to secure more scholarships since living in the UK," Pei-Jee said.

Pei-Sian won the Elder School of Music's most prestigious prize, the Elder Overseas Scholarship, in 2003. Established in 1883 by an endowment from Sir Thomas Elder, the scholarship has been held by such notable Adelaide musicians as Dr Miriam Hyde and baritone Grant Doyle. Pei-Sian also received another award linked to the Elder Overseas Scholarship, from the Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship SA.

Pei-Jee was awarded one of the world's most coveted scholarships, an International Postgraduate Scholarship from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. ■

Story Candy Gibson