Biography Published for the Duo’s 40th Anniversary

A biography of the piano duo Yaara Tal and Andreas Groethuysen, written by Michaela Fridrich and titled “Seiltänze mit zwanzig Fingern” (Tightrope Dances with Twenty Fingers), has been published by Edition Text + Kritik (ET+K) to mark the duo’s 40th stage anniversary. The book appears as part of the German classical music series “SOLO – Portraits and Profiles”, which introduces the lives and artistry of leading musicians of the 20th and 21st centuries.

The biography traces the remarkable career of Tal & Groethuysen, who have enjoyed international acclaim since their first joint concert in Bonn in October 1985. Often described as “the dream couple of the four-hand league” and “the best piano duo in the world,” they are admired for the extraordinary unity and musical understanding that characterize their performances at one or two pianos.

The two pianists come from very different worlds. Yaara Tal, born in Israel to Holocaust survivors, was encouraged by her parents to pursue her artistic ambitions. Andreas Groethuysen, the son of a well-known Munich architect, once wavered between studying medicine and following his passion for the piano. Despite their contrasting backgrounds, both have preserved their individual artistic voices while continuing to develop their own projects — Tal with delicately crafted solo programs, and Groethuysen as a dedicated professor and mentor to young pianists.

“Seiltänze mit zwanzig Fingern” explores the duo’s artistic independence, their long-standing partnership, and the creative harmony that has defined their work for four decades. As the first comprehensive biography of the pair, the book offers valuable insight for classical music lovers and scholars alike.

With the anniversary concert on November 16, the circle comes full: the celebration takes place where it all began — in Bonn.