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A unique musical conversation between harp and piano, embodied by the Swiss mother-daughter duo since 2010.
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Duo Praxedis: The Rebirth of the Magical Harp & Piano Alliance
The union of harp and piano, a celebrated combination from the late 18th to the early 20th century, has found its modern ambassadors: Duo Praxedis.
Comprised of harpist Praxedis Hug-Rüttiand and pianist Praxedis Geneviève Hug, the duo has embarked on a mission to bring this forgotten repertoire (c. 1780-1915) back to life and enrich it for a new era.
Driven by a rare musical alchemy, these two internationally renowned soloists combine their immense talents to create a one-of-a-kind sound experience.
Since 2010, they have been captivating audiences across Europe and the USA with programs that blend historical rediscoveries with contemporary creations.
Considered "one of Switzerland's finest harpists" (Luzerner Zeitung), She is praised for her "sensitive, melodious, dramatic, and poetic" playing.
Trained on the piano from the age of five, she studied the instrument with Cécile Hux and the harp with Emmy Hürlimann (principal harpist at the Tonhalle Zurich). After earning a master's degree from the Zurich Conservatory, she continued her studies in England. Today an internationally renowned harpist, she performs as a soloist and with various esteemed ensembles.
She has shone as a soloist with the Festival Strings Lucerne at the international Lucerne Festival, as well as at the Menuhin Festival Gstaad, the Esterhazy Festival, and the Schladming Musiksommer. Praxedis Hug-Rütti plays a "Horngacher Meisterharfe".
Praxedis Geneviève Hug began piano lessons at age five. As an early student, she completed her studies with Professor Theo Lerch, graduating with Master Diplomas with distinction.
She received important early musical inspiration and encouragement from legendary masters such as Shura Cherkassky, Karl Engel, Alexis Weissenberg, Krystian Zimerman, Wolfgang Boettcher, Pierre Amoyal, and Rudolf Baumgartner. She then perfected her craft at the renowned Accademia Pianistica ‘Incontri col Maestri’ in Imola, followed by studies with Riccardo Risaliti in Florence.
Her solo career has taken her to major venues like the Musikverein in Vienna, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Gasteig in Munich. In 2015, Sony Classical released her debut CD, a 3-CD set of works by Franz Liszt, which was hailed by critics. She is recognized as a specialist in the Romantic repertoire, particularly the works of Liszt. Praxedis is a Steinway Artist.
Their artistic vision has been praised by critics and leading institutions alike. Duo Praxedis performs regularly in temples of music such as the Berlin Philharmonic, the Golden Hall of the Vienna Musikverein, the Laeiszhalle Hamburg, and the Tonhalle Zurich. They are also regular guests at prestigious festivals, including the Menuhin Festival Gstaad, the Engadin Festival, the Esterhazy Festival Eisenstadt, and the Janáček Festival.
Their discography of over 20 albums has been highly acclaimed. Their recordings Histoires/Carl Rütti and John Thomas Complete Works received consecutive nominations for the prestigious OPUS KLASSIK award (2019 to 2025) in the 'Chamber Music Recording: Duo' and 'World Premiere Recording of the Year' categories.
Duo Praxedis does not just look to the past; it actively shapes the future of its repertoire. By regularly commissioning contemporary composers, they have premiered new double concertos with orchestra by Oliver Waespi and Carl Rütti. This commitment earned them the Double UBS Cultural Prize for their promotion of contemporary composition. Duo Praxedis also serves as brand ambassador for NADswiss.
In 2025, Duo Praxedis established a foundation to promote the harp and piano. You can find more information on the foundation's website.
A Repertoire Without Limits
One of the duo's greatest strengths is the incredible diversity of its repertoire. Their musical spectrum ranges from Bach to Hans Zimmer, from Mozart to Bernstein and Piazzolla. It covers the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods, blending original compositions, arrangements of popular masterpieces, and contemporary commissions, offering a sophisticated and unmatched palette of sound.
