Born in Parma, Italy, CLAUDIO PIASTRA has given hundreds of concerts at festivals and international concert seasons around the world. He has performed with some of the world's leading orchestras and conductors, and has been featured artist in numerous television and radio broadcasts. The American Records' Guide awarded him the prestigious "Globe" award for his Schubert album and wrote: "Unquestionably one of the most interesting recordings of Schubert, a must-have CD." Claudio made the first complete double-tracked recording of the 24 Preludes and Fugues for 2 guitars by Castelnuovo Tedesco. It is now in its third pressing by Warner Fonit. Since that time he has released a score of CDs to critical acclaim for: Fonit Cetra, Europa Musica, Koch International, Mondo Musica, Warner Fonit. He is equally active in the area of publishing where he has revised and edited 45 volumes of arrangements and original works for guitar (Carish, Mnemes, Suvini Zerboni, Berbén). A professor at the Achille Peri Music Institute in Reggio Emilia, Italy, he has been invited to hold master classes in Italy, Canada, France, Austria, Brazil, Uruguay, Spain and other countries. In 2011 he was appointed its Artistic Director after he gave the annual guitar master class at the prestigious Tadini Academy of Fine Arts of Lovere, Bergamo in 2010.

 
A recipient of First Prize with Distinction from Geneva’s Conservatoire Supérieur, GEORGES KISS studied under the renowned Swiss harpsichordist Isabelle Nef. His musical career whether as soloist, chamber musician or part of an ensemble took him to most European countries, America and Asia, for over 2.000 concerts. Research in musicology and teaching are two essential elements of his musical activity. A passion for rediscovering the works of forgotten composers led him to bring out a number of volumes for harpsichord (Hassler, Merulo, Van Koninck, and later C.P.E. Bach). He was one of the first to show an interest in the works of Jacques Duphly (1715-1789): etudes, recordings, recitals. His recent American review read as follows: “The evening’s real treasures came in the form of solo harpsichord works by Duphly. Kiss gave it a spellbinding reading, savoring every note and lovingly placing every gesture”. Nancy Miller – The Boston Globe