Duo Du Toit & Kooper
‘Engaging repertoire for clarinet and piano, brilliantly played and with great ensemble work throughout. Ivy Priaulx Rainier’s Suite for Clarinet and Pianoforte sets a tone of imaginative exploration of the possibilities offered by these two instruments, and that continues right through to Solstice (Theresa Martin) which closes the album with a whispering pianissimo from Maria Du Toit that might redefine what you think the clarinet is capable of.' Matthew Ash, Presto Music
“…it really draws me in, and that has everything to do with these musicians, who truly make a tremendously heartfelt case for it.” Saskia Törnqvist, Diskotabel, NPO Klassiek
“The richly coloured album demands various playing styles from the duo, who sense each other seamlessly in terms of timing.” Volkskrant, four stars
“They absolutely give the very best of themselves in this repertoire, and that is by no means insignificant.” Aart van der Wal, Opus Klassiek
“Du Toit achieves both spirited expression and refined intimacy with pianist Vera Kooper, effortless virtuosity and an excellent balance of sound.” Harry Imre-Dijkstra, De Klarinet
Photo by Helette du Toit
The internationally acclaimed clarinettist Maria du Toit and the versatile pianist Vera Kooper have formed a close and inspiring duo since 2021. Both musicians have built impressive solo careers, honoured with numerous national and international awards and several acclaimed solo and chamber music recordings. Their shared passion for chamber music brought them together in a musical partnership that made an immediate impact. Their debut album She/Her was met with great enthusiasm, receiving glowing reviews in both Dutch and international media, and was widely broadcast on radio stations around the world. The duo performs extensively throughout the Netherlands and has also made its mark internationally. In Budapest, they represented the Netherlands during the Night of Music, and in 2023 they toured South Africa with performances in cities including Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Stellenbosch.
Maria du Toit is a highly sought-after South African-Dutch clarinettist with an international reputation. She has performed as a soloist with various orchestras across the globe and has won numerous competitions and awards, including First Prize at the Jeunesses Musicales International Clarinet Competition in Bucharest. Maria is frequently invited to perform and give masterclasses in the United States, Europe, Asia, and South Africa. She has premiered three clarinet concertos written especially for her.
Vera Kooper is an award-winning Dutch pianist, praised for her refined touch and impressive technique. She is a founding member of the Delta Piano Trio, which has performed internationally across Europe, the United States, and Asia, and received the prestigious Kersjes Prize in 2020. That same year, Vera released her solo debut album featuring works by Beethoven and Corigliano. A year later, she toured the Netherlands with Floris Kortie in the successful theater production Het jaar 250 na Beethoven (The Year 250 After Beethoven).
With their captivating interplay, vibrant presence, and distinctive artistic vision, duo Du Toit & Kooper rank among the most exciting chamber music duos of today.