Duo Mento
PRESTIGE is proud to offer Duo Mento in concert featuring compositions of Steven Mento and others.
More information available upon request. |
Siblings of considerable musical talent and high intelligence, Loretta and Steven Romano Mento, are known for their serious preparation and commitment to each masterful performance, "exquisite playing with fine technique and strong emotional shading, expressive purity, the utmost lyricism, great intensity and power, very effective pacing of tempos, dynamic, stylistically erudite," are just a few accolades bestowed on them by music critics and audiences alike. Last year's successful Carnegie Hall performance captivated the audience and left them spellbound.
DR. STEVEN ROMANO MENTO
Steven Mento, pianist/composer, began his music studies at 5 years of age. At 16, he was offered a scholarship to study at the University of Delaware where he ultimately received his Bachelor of Music in 1981, studying with Michael Steinberg and Leon Bates. While at the University, Steven was invited to participate in an exchange program at the Amerika Institute in Vienna Austria, studying Viennese Culture in art, music and theatre.
Upon his return to the States, he continued his piano studies with Annie Petit at the Curtis Institute. In 1987, Steven received his Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy from Temple University, where he worked with Harvey Wedeen in piano pedagogy, and Maurice Wright in composition. He concluded his graduate studies in piano performance at the University of South Carolina.
While enrolled at the University of South Carolina, Dr. Mento was invited to participate in a Master Class conducted by Karel Husa, performing one of his compositions. In 1998 He received his Doctorate of Music in Piano Performance.
During his years of study, Dr.Mento has given many solo recitals and has composed over 30 compositions. In 2001, his latest composition, 'Elegy' was commissioned by the Bay-Atlantic Symphony which made its world premiere in 2003, with the composer at the piano. He has written music for many ensembles such as the Delos String Quartet with recitals of original compositions performed on radio stations and concert halls in the United States . Dr. Mento is founder and president of the Clavis Chamber Players and serves as the music critic and reviewer for the Classical New Jersey Society Journal. He was recently appointed Composer-in- Residence of the Prestige Classical Productions Foundation. The Foundation presents concerts annually at Carnegie Hall.
LORETTA MENTO
Loretta received her Bachelor of Music Degree from Rowan University, where she studied piano with Steven Romanio. Upon graduation, she worked with Edith Hirshtel-Nathas, a celebrated student of Leon Fleisher. She received a Masters Degree in Piano from the University of South Carolina, where she continued her studies with John Adams and Charles Fugo, and in composition, with Dr. Richard Goodwin."...her performance of Maurice Ravel's, "Gaspard de la Nuit" was thrilling...an almost orchestral level of coloration...", Karen Cowgill, Classical New Jersey Society Journal.
"...the subtleties were right on the money, but there was never a bombast as employed by some pianists to hide deficiencies...", Ed Wismer, Ocean City Sentinel
In 2002, 'Duo Mento' was formed with her brother Dr. Steven Mento to perform four-hand literature. Their latest recording ' Four Hand Piano Works of Faure, Ravel and Schubert', is available on Eroica Classical Recordings at www.eroica.com.
"...dynamic, stylistically erudite...expressive purity and intent in the character of style as well as the temperament of the composer...", George Sementovsky, Temple University.
"...I heard their piano duo CD and was spellbound. Really exquisite playing, clarity, colors, phrasing...my congratulations...", Jed Gaylin,Conductor, Bay-Atlantic Symphony."
Duo Mento Four Hand Piano Virtuosi DVD is now available. Other recordings are available on the Eroica Classical Recordings at http://www.eroica.com.