Fourhands Piano Duo
The members of the Fourhands piano duo began their collaboration in the autumn of 2021 while preparing for an Advent concert. Their first joint piece was the Nutcracker Suite, which inspired the idea to expand their repertoire with further ballet music under the thematic project title “Fairytale Ballets.” Since then, they have performed numerous concerts together, and besides standard four-hand compositions, they enjoy exploring various other musical genres. In 2026, the Fourhands duo won 1st Prize at the 14th Tiziano Rossetti Academy International Online Music Competition in Lugano.
Currently, the duo performs programs focused primarily on the works of great Czech masters—such as Dvořák’s Slavonic Dances and Smetana’s complete cycle My Country—as well as jazz pieces by contemporary Czech composers, arrangements of orchestral and symphonic works, and film music. They also organize educational concerts for schools. In addition to four-hand piano playing, their repertoire includes compositions for two pianos. Within their concerts and projects, they collaborate with the composer Zdeněk Král and artistic agencies such as Globarts and Fidelio.
Irena Andruško
(née Irina Cherkashina)
Irena Andruško began her piano studies at the Secondary Specialized Music School in Kharkiv. From the very beginning, she actively participated in international competitions, concerts, and festivals both in Ukraine and abroad, performing several times with the Kharkiv Philharmonic Orchestra.
Between 2012 and 2017, she studied at the Prague Conservatory in the class of Milan Langer. In 2016, she was awarded 3rd prize at the International Zdeněk Fibich Competition and 2nd prize at the Czech Conservatories and Music High Schools Competition. Throughout her career, she has participated in masterclasses led by distinguished pianists. Currently, she focuses on performing with the Fourhands piano duo and serves as a faculty member at the Prague Conservatory.
Thematic Concert Programs
-B. Smetana – My Country (Má vlast): The complete cycle of symphonic poems.
-Tribute to Czech Masters: Works by A. Dvořák, B. Smetana, Z. Fibich, K. Slavický, and E. Hradecký.
-Fairytale Ballets: Music from the ballets of P. I. Tchaikovsky, M. de Falla, and S. Prokofiev, accompanied by visual projections.
-Dance Through the Ages: A diverse journey featuring A. Dvořák’s Slavonic Dances, J. Brahms’ Hungarian Dances, J. Turina’s Spanish Dances, F. Chopin’s Waltzes and Polonaises, E. Hradecký’s Jazz Dance Pieces, and Latin American rhythms by A. Piazzolla and A. Ginastera.
-The Piano as an Orchestra: Arrangements of symphonic and orchestral masterpieces, including W. A. Mozart’s opera overtures, A. Dvořák’s New World Symphony, and G. Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess and Rhapsody in Blue.
-Dance in National Colors: Featuring the national dances of Dvořák, Grieg, and Brahms.
-Legends and Stories in Czech Music: A. Dvořák’s Legends, J. Suk’s Radúz and Mahulena, and selections from B. Smetana’s My Country.
-Film Music: Available as a standalone program or in combination with the repertoires above.
Educational Concerts for Schools • A Christmas Story: The Nutcracker • Fairytales in Music • My Country (Má vlast)
In 2026, the Duo Fourhands won first prize at the 14th Tiziano Rossetti Academy International Online Music Competition in Lugano.
FOURHANDS
Piano concertos are among the greatest works in the musical repertoire and are staples of concert hall programs.
