The Aurora Duo

The Aurora Duo brings together 2 outstanding percussionistsfrom the Royal Northern College of Music – Delia Stevens and Yu Le.

Delia – a former member of the Junior RNCM and the NationalYouth Orchestra – is currently a second-year student on a scholarship. Shereached the televised Percussion Category Finals of the BBC Young Musician ofthe Year competition in 2008 and 2010.

Yu Le is a Masters student, also on a scholarship. Amultiple prize winner internationally and within the RNCM, Yu Le has alsoexcelled as a soloist. He has performed several concertos, including a RNCMtour to Chinawith the Ney Rosauro Marimba Concerto.

Delia and Yu Le decided to put the Aurora Duo together having met in September 2010 and have already enjoyed much success, playing lunchtime concerts in the RNCM Concert Hall and reaching the final of the 2011Royal Overseas League Competition and the California Percussion Competition (opento competitors around the world). The duo’s repertoire spans 3 centuries,drawing on composers from Europe to Argentina to Japan.  They have played concerts in Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Hainan.

Repertoire:

Abe (2003) – Wind in the Bamboo Grove 2 (2 marimbas) – 6mins

J.S. Bach (c. 1715) – Prelude from English Suite No.2 in A minor, BWV 807 (arr.2 marimbas) – 5 mins

Kopetzki (2000) – Circles of Ice (marimba and vibraphone) –5 mins

Morag (1998) – Octabones (2 marimbas) – 8 mins

Piazzolla (1983) – Tango Suite for two Guitars (2 marimbas/bodypercussion) – movements i, ii and iii – each 5 mins

Reich (1972) – Clapping Music (body percussion) – 7 mins

Rimsky-Kogrsakov (arr. by Leth) (1899) – Flight of theBumble Bee (1 marimba) – 2 mins

Schmitt (2005) – 2-Gather (2 marimbas) – 7 mins

Tritonas (arr. Aurora) (2010) – Romantic Piano Variation(marimba and vibraphone) – 2 mins

Zivkovic (1995/9) (arr. by Stevens) – Trio Per Uno (arrangedfor duo) :

i: 2 snare drums, 4toms – 5 mins

ii: vibraphone pluscymbal, rainstick, wineglasses, water etc. – 6 mins

iii: bass drum (shared), 2 bongos, 4 chinese gongs) – 5 mins

With a guest:

Pawasser (1995) – Sculpture 3 (3 marimbas) – 5 mins

Thrower (2008) – Love Songs – movements 3 and 4 (2 marimbasand singer) – each 5 mins