Watch: Ekstasis Duo’s Tribute to Nina Simon and Women’s Voices

The duo Ekstasis Duo is happy to celebrate Valentine Day with a special performance of three of Nina Simon songs: My Baby Just Cares for Me, Don’t Smoke in Bed and Love me of Leave me.

Natasha Farny and AICF grant recipient Eliran Avni met as students years ago at Juilliard. After some recent exciting performances in New York City and upstate NY, the two decided to embark on a new mission: to create compelling programming celebrating masterpieces alongside the secret jewels of lesser-known works.

​Presenting compelling programming celebrating masterpieces alongside the secret jewels of lesser-known works is at the heart of pianist Eliran Avni’s and cellist Natasha Farny’s performances as the Ekstasis Duo. With a focus on storytelling that pinpoints an aspect of the human condition or creates an atmosphere through sound, their concerts offer compellingly juxtaposed solo and chamber music works, and occasionally incorporates multimedia, readings, video, and visual art. For the 2020-21 season, the duo is promoting the music of women composers. Their Women’s Voices initiative include lectures, concerts, and audio and video recordings. Their debut CD of this project is expected to be released in 2021.