Devoted to the repertoire for violin and viola, the duo’s second album brings together works by classical and contemporary composers, proposing a dialogue between tradition and the present.

Duoessence features pieces by Joseph Haydn, Alessandro Rolla, Johan Halvorsen, and Jean Sibelius, alongside a newly commissioned work by Canadian composer Allan Gilliland, which adds a fresh authorial voice to the album and marks the second time the duo has included a work by a composer from their adopted country, reaffirming their bond with the culture that has embraced them.

Born in João Pessoa, Brazil, violinist Vladimir Rufino and violist Fabiola Amorim are based in Canada and have performed together as the Amorim-Rufino Duo since 2005, earning wide recognition as performers and educators.