Duo sforzando

This young chamber music duet stemmed from the meeting of two alumni of the Conservatoire supérieur de musique de Genève (Advanced Music Conservatory of Geneva): Christophe Sturzenegger (piano and horn) and Julie Fortier (piano).

Formed in 2001, the duet started performing at various Fête de la Musique de Genève (Geneva Music Festival) shows and Radio Suisse Romande's (French-Speaking Swiss Radio's) Schubertiades festival. They subsequently began to appear at such concert halls as the Institut National Genevois (Geneva National Institute), Studio E. Ansermet, Victoria Hall, and the Fondation Gianadda (Gianadda Foundation).

Audiences responded warmly to them at every performance.

In fact, the creation of this duet was a bit out of the ordinary: "Horn-Piano" and "Piano Four Hands" or "Two Pianos."

This approach has enabled these musicians to tackle a vast repertoire ranging from classical to contemporary music, with an emphasis on the music of Romantic composers who were so skilled at capturing the very essence of the French horn and lending credibility to piano duets.

Upon finishing their studies in June 2002, Julie Fortier and Christophe Sturzenegger decided to continue appearing as this duet as a way to perform for audiences and introduce them to classic masterpieces and a few forgotten musical treasures.

In December 2004 DUO SFORZANDO released its first CD, which was critically acclaimed, on the Lausanne-based Gallo label.

In 2006 DUO SFORZANDO was a finalist in the international "Web Concert Hall" competition.