NYC-based Double Entendre Music Ensemble is a collective of like-minded musicians devoted to adventurous exploration of the double reed repertoire. Noted for its first-rate musicianship and creativity, the Ensemble illuminates classics, revives neglected music, and commissions new works for these soulful instruments. Double Entendre was featured on WQXR's Classical Commute Series, and their recording of Martin Bresnick's "Going Home (Vysoke, My Jerusalem)" appeared frequently on the WQXR playlist after its release. They also made a very brief appearance in Frederick Wiseman's movie "Ex Libris" in 2017. David Schwartz of the American Record Guide wrote about their CD "Double Take: American Reed": "If not for the variety, then for the music, but definitely for the sake of the artistry on this album, I recommend that all reed players add this to their collection."

Double Entendre has commissioned a number of works for the double reed repertoire, including Wendy Griffiths, Stephanie Berg, Rich Shemaria, Caleb Burhans, and Martin Bresnick. Friends since the age of 10, Rachel Handman-violin and Keve Wilson-oboe, grew up dreaming of performing on Broadway, and spent every Saturday studying at Manhattan School of Music as teenagers, where they would practice showtunes and Irish jigs and reels. Having realized that Broadway dream, they were in the orchestra for the 2018 Broadway revival Carousel and are currently playing together in the new Sondheim musical Here We Are at The Shed.This violin and oboe duo pushes the boundaries of musical genre — fusing classical virtuosity with the spontaneity of a bluegrass band. Rachel spent a year in Bolivia, performing string quartets by day and in Bolivian bars by night. Keve traveled to Europe as oboist with the Absolute Ensemble and learned how to Irish jig like a fiddler. Rachel and Keve spent the pandemic performing at The Javits Center for vaccinations, sponsored by Sing for Hope. Their debut album, The Catskill Sessions, is available on the CCR/Naxos label.

Supporting Musicians: Keve Wilson, oboe; Rachel Handman, violin; Christa Robinson, Karen Birch Blundell; Nancy Ranger, oboes and English horns; Yuki Higashi, Gilbert Dejean, bassoons; Hidayat Honari, guitar; Wilson Torres, percussion

Volcanic Jig, Natalie MacMaaster
Carolina, Omar Acosta
Five Duos for oboe and violin, Cenovia Cummins
Black Orpheus/Chocolat, Luis Bonfa/Rachel Portman
Big Sciota, Traditional
Vänkärin Polska, Väsen
Si Bheag, Si Mohr, Turlough O'Carolan (arr. Gilbert Dejean)
Molly on the Shore, Percy Grainger (arr. Gilbert Dejean)
The Parting Glass, Traditional (arr. Gilbert Dejean)

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