Paul Dresher's Double Duo combines traditional chamber instruments with newly invented instruments in a wholly unique concert music experience.

One duo features Bang on a Can All Stars founding pianist Lisa Moore with violinist and longtime Dresher collaborator Karen Bentley Pollick. The other duo features a pair of newly invented instruments — a Marimba Lumina played by percussionist Joel Davel, along with Paul Dresher's own invention: the Quadrachord, a 14-foot long guitar-like stringed instrument that is plucked, bowed, hammered, strummed, looped and sampled.

The program features several major works by Dresher, including "In The Nameless" and "Glimpsed From Afar," as well as classic duo, trio and quartet repertoire from John Adams, John Cage and Martin Bresnick.

"One of the most interesting among the current scene of active composers."

San Francisco Classical Music Examiner

"The poetic quality of the music soon expanded into thunderous percussive sonorities... The audience threw concert tradition to the wind and showed their appreciation with cheers, whistles and stamping."

City News (Australia)

Audio: Paul Dresher's Double Duo on WNYC

Audio: Paul Dresher's Double Duo Live on RadioNational (Australia)

"Exciting, surprising, and refreshing — a chance to hear contemporary classical music at its best."

San Francisco Classical Voice

From his collaborations with Rinde Eckert and Stephen Schick to his delightful Sound Stage performances, Paul Dresher has brought a garden of wild musical delights to the Mondavi Center. The San Francisco Classical Voice describes Paul Dresher's Double Duo as "exciting, surprising, and refreshing-a chance to hear contemporary classical music at its best."
Acclaimed composer Paul Dresher and his frequent collaborator Joel Davel bring invented instruments-works of art in themselves-to Gallery B for an evening of original music ranging from raucous to meditative. Dresher's inventions include the brand new Hurdy Grande, a giant motorized hurdy gurdy, and the visually stunning Quadrachord.
Double Ikat, Part II; Paul Dresher (1990) for violin, piano, percussion Performance by the Paul Dresher Double Duo. Karen Bentley Pollick - violin Lisa Moore - piano Joel Davel, - Marimba Lumina Roulette Intermedium, Brooklyn, NY Oct. 26, 2014. Stephan Dyachkovskiy - videographer Mark Palmer - video editor
Excerpts from: Glimpsed From Afar Composed by Paul Dresher, 2006 Performed by the Paul Dresher/Joel Davel Invented Instrument Duo Recorded in Performance at the ODC Theater, San Francisco, Nov.
Paul Dresher invents musical instruments, like the Hurdy Grande and many more, featured in the Schick Machine (playing thru 3/27/11 in San Francisco). See and hear them, and hear why he makes his own instruments! Video by filmmaker Jon Felix and producer Eric Jansen Info: www.KALW.org and www.DresherEnsemble.org