Four-Hand Band
‍by Paul Levi and Cathy Waldman

Pianists Cathy Waldman and Paul Levi have found fun and adventure in many areas of their lives. Their travels have taken them to the South Island of New Zealand, where they made a Llama Trek on the beach at Kaikoura; they have gathered their courage to ride a helicopter over the Haleakala volcano in Maui (scary but exciting); and they have sung and danced in an Israeli Ethiopian village.

Closer to home, some of you may know of Cathy and Paul's passion for books, which prompted them to launch the ongoing discussion group "What Are You Reading Lately? (Not a Book Club!)" And some of you may know about their passion for music, which they shared with the Village community in a four-hand piano recital presented at the Levine School last year.

Cathy and Paul bonded early in their relationship by playing duets for sheer fun, while each of them were pursuing their separate careers, Paul as composer, teacher, and vocal accompanist, Cathy as chamber musician and piano teacher to students of all ages. In addition, they explored areas of music that their Juilliard training didn't address, founding a commercial music production company with a friend of theirs, a cantor/music producer. Throughout these years, they would often play Schubert or Mozart at dinner parties for friends. With enough dinners under their belt, they decided to call themselves the Four-Hand Band and present full concerts.

Over the years, Cathy has identified many pieces that have caught her attention, making her wonder if Paul could transform them into four-hand music that the two of them could play together. It turned out that the pieces Paul transformed became more important to them than the standard classical repertoire and has become their specialty. At this point, they perform entirely Paul's own compositions or his arrangements of other composers' works.

People often ask what it's like for husband and wife to actually play together; could be tricky. But for them, playing four-hand music is a very intimate experience, sitting next to each other, hands crossing and touching each other, listening to each other, accepting critiques from each other, laughing a lot. Interacting with music and each other in this way is rewarding and stimulating, puts them in sync with each other, and keeps them both sharp, mentally and physically, the best fun and adventure that they could have hoped for at this stage of their lives.

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