Federica Monti began studying piano at the age of 8 and held her first concert the following year.
Right from the start her remarkable talent was awarded throughout Italy.
In 1990 he wins: 1st Prize at the National Competition for Young Concertists "Citta di Aversa".
In 1992 she wins: 1st overall prize at the "Citta di San Polo" National Piano Competition (Parma);
1st Prize at the National Competition "F. Chopin "of Castellammare di Stabia; 2nd Prize at the National Piano Competition "A.M.A. Calabria "of Catanzaro; 3rd Prize at the International Piano Competition of Cava de 'Tirreni.
In 1993: overcomes the selection for the National final of the "Mozart Prize" International Competition for "Young Musical Talents", an event filmed by Italian Channel TV “Canale 5”.
In 1994: a) wins the 1st Prize at the National Competition "CIDAC" - Young people and music - at the Auditorium of the "Pacinotti Institute" of Scafati;
b) passes a national selection called by the "Heinrich Neuhaus" Music Association to record a record for the "MusikStrasse" Record Company and perform at the Teatro Ghione in Rome.
She then became an internal student of the "S. Pietro A Majella "of Naples under the guidance of Maestro Massimo Bertucci.
In 2004 she won the "Paolella" Award for the best diploma in the year of the Conservatory of Naples.
Federica Monti and Fabio Bianco’s partnership began in 2007, with the conferment with honours of the 2nd Level Academic Diploma in “Musical Disciplines” at the “S. Pietro a Majella” Music Conservatory in Naples. Both musicians come from considerable experience both as soloists and as chamber musicians, yet they have discovered in a brief space of time that they are able to unite their musical talents in a highly natural manner. They immediately gained positive approbation at exhibitions, festivals and music seasons, and at national and international concerts. Under the guidance right from the beginning of Valeria Lambiase, instructor in Chamber Music at the Music Conservatory of Naples, they were admitted in 2007 to the class of M° Pier Narciso Masi at the Academy of Music at Florence.
From 2007 to 2012 they were winners of multiple National and International Competitions :
Second Prize (1 not awarded) at the “ Citta di Camerino ” Young Musicians’ Competition;
Absolute First Prize at the “Citta di Bacoli” 13 Competition, piano four hands category;
In March 2008, they won the 2 Prize (1st not awarded) at the 15 edition of the “ Giulio Rospigliosi” Competition , piano four hands category;
In April 2009, they won 2 prize at the 10 edition of the “ Riviera Etrusca” ( Piombino) Competition, piano four hands category;
In October 2009, they won the 2 Prize (1 and 3 not awarded) at the 19 International Piano Competition “Roma 2009”, piano four hands category ;
In October 2011 , they won the First Prize at the 21 International Piano Competition “Roma 2011”, two piano category.
Their performances have always been distinguished for their refinement of interpretation, their fervor and freshness, and a brilliance and vigour brought to the language of chamber music which derives not just from musical experience, but also from a profound and intimate union.
In June 2009, they received the Biennial DIPLOMA (2007/2009) in Academy Mastery for Musicians with M° Pier Narciso Masi at the Academy of Music of Florence and in the same month they were admitted at the Hochschule fur Musik und Theater in Munich where they are studying with the renowned Tal - Groethuysen piano duo.
The Duo Monti & Bianco is regularly invited to perform at Musical Season and Festival throughout Italy and Europe : Napoli , Roma ; Ravello ; Reggio Emilia ; Procida ; Ischia; Massa Marittima; Belluno ; Firenze; Piove di Sacco ; Pistoia; Sorrento; Gragnano ; Trieste ; Barletta; Nuoro; Gaeta; Ercolano; Fondi; Lamezia Terme ; Formia ; Mantova ; Munich of Bavaria ; Grafelfing ( Munchen) ; Lugano ( Swiss ) ; Marina di Pietrasanta ; Mantova ; Torre del Greco; Crystal Hall Rogaska Slatina ( Slovenia) ;
In a brief period of time they extended their repertoire, which ranges from Bach to contemporary music and it includes the most important compositions for piano 4 hands and for 2 pianos . Since the beginning, however, the Duo has given particular importance to the discovery of important and fascinating works from the piano 4 hands repertory which have been unjustly forgotten , such as works by Carl Reinecke , Joseph Rheinberger , Hermann Goetz , Max Reger . They have always been applauded by both the public and critics alike as musicians with a great communication skills and with an elegant and intimate union. Throughout the years, the Duo has been appreciated for their brilliant technique , passion and intimacy , and for the remarkable quality of their sound .
Recently , the Duo debuted in Munich of Bavaria in the Großen Konzertsaal of the Musikhochschule receiving critics and public successful , with programs for two pianos and piano 4 hands .
In February 2011 the Duo was invited to play in the prestigious “ Klavier Festival” in Monaco of Bavaria with the rare performance of the Reinecke’ s Sonata op. 35 for piano 4 Hands .
In May 2011 the Duo debuted in the “ Scarlatti Hall” at the Conservatory of Naples “ S. Pietro a Majella” with the Concert op. 153 by C. Czerny for piano 4 hands and Orchestra.
In July 2011 the Duo received the “ Meisterklassediplom” at the Hochschule für Musik und Teather of Munich in the class of the Duo Tal – Groethuysen .
In October 2011 Federica Monti and Fabio Bianco won the First Prize at the 21 International Piano Competition “Roma 2011”, Two Piano category.
In May 2012 the Duo won the Second Prize at the “Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition”- New York , Piano 4 Hands category .
In July 2012 the Duo was invited to play at the Klavier Marathon Rogaska ( Slovenia) in the famous Krystal Hall where Liszt played in 1846
In September 2014 the Duo Monti & Bianco debuted in the 62 Edition of the prestigious Ravello Festival 2014 with a program dedicated to Richard Strauss and Richard Wagner .
In April 2017 the Duo debuted in China with a long tour of concerts playing in gorgeus theaters and concert halls in the cities of Shanghai , Changsha , Yueyang, Nanjing , Dongguan etc..
Since from 2008 Federica teaches Piano in Musical Accademy “Note sul Mare” in Ischia island and she is the Artistic Director of the “Ischia” International Piano Competition.
Website : www.duomontibianco.com
Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/user/NotesulMare
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