Established in Germany in 2008, the emerging Duo Ventapane instantly embarked on international concert tours through Europe, Canada and Japan where it was hailed for its musically overpowering and technically brilliant performances. It offers large choice of repertoire and fresh approach to programming. In 2011, Duo Ventapane brought Smetana award and Bartók award from the IBLA Grand Prize International Music Competition and in 2012 toured the United States where it held performances in Radford University, New York University and Carnegie Hall among other venues.
Martin Karlicek has recorded piano works by Bedrich Smetana, Bohuslav Martinu, Sergei Prokofiev and Franz Liszt, as well as a CD of the complete works for piano by Canadian composer Andrew Yin Svoboda. His album Leoš Janácek gained glowing reviews. Presently, he is teaching piano and chamber music at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University.
Mana is a member of Chamber Orchestra Angèle Dubeau & La Pietà and Duo Ventapane. She has played as a chamber musician in many countries in Europe, Asia, and North America and is a sought-after violin teacher. She is also director of Westmount Chamber Music Workshop.
