Esther Birringer as a lecturer at the Xiamen University in China

In December 2017, the pianist performed in the Chinese cities of Qingdao, Nanjing, Xiamen and Guangzhou.  Besides giving master classes for young musicians and students, she gave musical lectures.

FAMILY ZONE - this year's theme of the Davos Festival

What fits thematically better than two sisters who have been making music together since they can remember?
Experience Lea and Esther Birringer from 6 to 20 August 2016 in Davos, Switzerland. Listen to the siblings in various instrumentations with works by Schubert, Silvestrov, Martinu, Casella and many more.

'There must be discussion, friction, or there is boredom.'

'Different work process, different demands, different ways of making music.
"Exciting," that's the term the two sisters finally agree on.'

Here you can find the whole article about Lea und Esther Birringer, their cooperation as a duo and their this year's participation at the Davos Festival.

Musik&Theater, Special Edition Davos Festival 2016

Text: Christoph Vratz

Extract from the current CRESCENDO magazine in cooperation with the German Mozart Society

'My sister is my harshest critic', says pianist Esther Birringer about her sister Lea. Both pursue their individual careers as violinist and pianist, but also enjoy performing together on stage. According to Esther Birringer, playing together with her own sister is different from playing with chamber music partners from other countries, but above all it is easier: 'We always save ourselves the phase of getting to know each other and can go one level higher. In other line-ups you always have to get to know the people and their musical style first.' Getting to know the musical style of the counterpart, that is, learning his musical mother tongue. For siblings, this is often the same. Having one's own brother or sister as a chamber music partner is therefore one thing above all: a privilege.

As a guest of Federal President Joachim Gauck -
Concert in Bellevue Castle

On the occasion of the state visit of Mexico's President Enrique Peña Nieto to Berlin, Esther Birringer performed at the Bellevue Palace. Other guests of honour were Mexican football star Javier 'Chicharito' Hernández and his wife.

'At home in Hanover' - An interview with the Hanoverian magazine 'Quando'

Parents who were musicians themselves, a predetermined path as a pianist, the term "wunderkind" - Esther Birringer has never experienced the typical clichés of the industry like this. Read about her unconventional and sometimes difficult path to a career as a pianist and about her thoughts on her studies and career.

Text © Christian Schütte

Quando edition 4/2015, October - December

09/04/14: Esther und Lea Birringer at the NDR Foyerkonzert on tour 

With courage into the modern age

You could have made it easy for yourself: If Lea and Esther Birringer, sisters, musicians, upcoming classical stars, had chosen a standard classical-romantic programme of Mozart, Beethoven and Schumann for their debut CD, it would have gone smoothly. But they wanted to record modern pieces that rarely make it onto CD, even more rarely onto a debut CD: violin sonatas by Szymanowski, Hindemith, Respighi. The result: the critics rejoice over 'musical aggressiveness', over 'moments of poetic beauty' and over their 'programme with standards'. The classical music audience listens up - here two young women prove their daring!


Off the beaten track

Well then, let them explain where they get the courage to leave the well-trodden paths of program selection. After all, the two artists will not only make music at the NDR Kultur Foyerkonzert on tour in Wolfenbüttel, but also tell stories. About themselves, about their careers, about their favourite pieces. And in this way they will tell their audience what has shaped them, what they love about classical music and why the less known can sometimes be more exciting than the old familiar. Which of course is nothing to be said against Beethoven! But Lea and Esther Birringer explain that best themselves.

Recently the DEBuT CD of Esther & Lea Birringer has been released

The recording was released on 17.01.2014 by Avi-music.
The sisters play sonatas by Szymanowski, Hindemith and Respighi.

 
First press reviews cheer the debut:

'Three sonatas, rarely heard in concert, discovered with courage, verve and joyful playing.'
ORF, 25/04/14

'A very beautiful, also extremely original programme and a very good realisation by the two musicians, who impress with their debut CD.'
France Musique, 23/04/14

'Thundering piano chords and a dramatic recitative by the violin, driven by dark glowing energy - a gripping introduction.'
FonoForum, April issue

'Lea and Esther Birringer started their CD with an exclamation mark. [...] A very strong debut by two already very independent artistic personalities. The name Birringer is one to remember.'
WDR 3, 06/02/14

'A programme with high standards, very lively and confidently presented. A promising debut CD.'
SR 2 Kulturradio, 05/02/14

'A really exciting and bold CD conception, especially since Esther and Lea Birringer do absolute justice to the three sonatas with their spirited, gripping, incredibly lustful playing and especially bring out the dramatic, stirring sounds perfectly.'  More...

BR Classical, 25/01/14

'The sisters Lea and Esther Birringer have been a duo since childhood. The joint debut recording benefits from their blind understanding. All phrases are breathed together, all arousal curves are felt together. It is gripping to see how the two of them live out the nervous tension and the permanent advance of the Szymanowski Sonata. The spirit of musical awakening at the beginning of the 20th century is clearly perceptible here.
The Birringer sisters remain highly concentrated even when the overpressure is easing. In the slow movements they succeed in creating moments of poetic beauty.'
NDR Culture, 10/01/14

'Lea's expressive and analytical playing is carried by Esther's often orchestral sound waves. The full-bodied cascades are grounded with powerful basses, and the pianist also inspires with her fragile, sparkling precision work.' More...
SZ, 30/02/13

Concert for the German President

A highlight in October was the concert of the Birringer Sisters in Bellevue Palace in Berlin on the occasion of the awarding of the Federal Cross of Merit to Mariss Jansons. The two sisters were given the great honor of making music for German President Joachim Gauck and his partner Daniela Schadt.