"Both pianists played in exquisite balance to great effect."
New York Concert Review
The Birk and Hoke Duo (Eric Birk and Bernadette Hoke) have been performing as a keyboard duo since 1995, engaging audiences and critics alike with their impressive ensemble and expressive artistry. The husband and wife duo "played with a pleasing precision that never impinged upon fluid ease" in their Weill Hall debut recital, according to New York Concert Review. Specializing in duet repertoire for four hands at one piano, four hands (and two or four feet) at the organ, and duos for organ and piano. Birk & Hoke have appeared on concert series in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Texas. In the New York City area they have performed on the Noonday Concert Series in St. Paul's Chapel, the Friends and Enemies of New Music series, St. Paul's Festival of the Arts in Nyack, New York, and at the Center for Chamber Music in Greenwich, Connecticut. In the autumn of 2008 they were the featured pianists in a concert at the Jewish Museum entitled, “Bernstein: A Jewish Legacy”. This concert was part of the New York City celebration, Bernstein: The Best of All Possible Worlds. They recorded Bernstein’s complete Bridal Suite for LeonardBernstein.com. During the 2008-2009 season, the duo performed the Brahms Liebeslieder Waltzes with the Transfiguration Choir and Camerata of NYC.
As Chamber Music Award Winners of the 28th annual Artist International Auditions, they were presented in a sold out debut recital in Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall during the 2000-2001 season. On that program they performed the U.S. premiere of the "Silent Flickers" by New York composer Jack Gottlieb. The duo was re-engaged by Artists International to perform in Merkin Hall, New York City in the spring of 2002 as part of the Artists International Alumni Winners Series. Birk & Hoke have performed organ and piano recitals in New York City area for the Noon-Day Concerts at the United Church in Bridgeport, CT, the New York City Chapter AGO members recital, the Flatbush-Tompkins Congregational Church for a Gala Benefit concert, and for the Brooklyn Wednesday Music Club. In February of 2011, they performed as guest artists at the Baylor University Midwinter Organ Conference.
As Chamber Music Award Winners of the 28th annual Artist International Auditions, they were presented in a sold out debut recital in Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall during the 2000-2001 season. On that program they performed the U.S. premiere of the "Silent Flickers" by New York composer Jack Gottlieb. The duo was re-engaged by Artists International to perform in Merkin Hall, New York City in the spring of 2002 as part of the Artists International Alumni Winners Series. Birk & Hoke have performed organ and piano recitals in New York City area for the Noon-Day Concerts at the United Church in Bridgeport, CT, the New York City Chapter AGO members recital, the Flatbush-Tompkins Congregational Church for a Gala Benefit concert, and for the Brooklyn Wednesday Music Club. In February of 2011, they performed as guest artists at the Baylor University Midwinter Organ Conference.