Cello & Piano Duo

The Sary & Ayad Khalifé Duo brings together two Franco-Lebanese brothers whose artistic journey unites classical excellence, chamber music, jazz, improvisation, and the rich musical traditions of the Middle East. Through their unique dialogue between cello and piano, they create a distinctive sound world that reflects both their deep classical training and their openness to diverse musical influences.

Sary Khalifé, cellist and composer, and Ayad Khalifé, pianist, composer, and educator, began performing together from an early age, developing a musical partnership that has continued throughout their careers. Both trained at the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music before pursuing advanced studies in France: Sary at the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Boulogne-Billancourt and the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris under Rolland Pidoux and Marc Coppey; Ayad at the Conservatory of Boulogne-Billancourt, where he studied piano, chamber music, musicology, and pedagogy.

As performers, they have appeared on major stages across Europe and the Middle East, including collaborations with leading orchestras and ensembles. Sary is a member and principal cellist of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra under Daniel Barenboim, a member of the Divan Ensemble led by Michael Barenboim, and co-principal cellist of the Orchestre Colonne in Paris. Ayad has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in prestigious venues such as the Barbican Hall in London, Place des Arts in Montreal, and the National Convention Center in Doha, while also serving as a piano professor at French conservatories.

Their artistic collaboration extends beyond classical repertoire into composition and cross-cultural projects. Together, they have created works that blend jazz, Oriental music, classical traditions, poetry, and improvisation, including the acclaimed album Soobia (2018), awarded by the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC). They are also members of the intergenerational project Legacy with their uncle, the legendary Lebanese oud master Marcel Khalifé, and pianist Rami Khalifé, as well as other ensembles exploring the meeting points between different musical worlds.

The Sary & Ayad Khalifé Duo represents a rare combination of virtuosity, creativity, and cultural dialogue, offering performances that move seamlessly between the classical canon and contemporary musical expressions while celebrating the richness of Lebanese and Mediterranean heritage.