about us
BIOGRAPHY
PROGRAMS
Duo DUOR was founded in 2012 by harpist Hila Ofek and saxophonist Andre Tsirlin (then as the Jerusalem Duo) and has since been regarded as one of the most extraordinary and innovative ensembles in the world of chamber music. Love for music brought the two musicians together: they studied together at the Jerusalem Academy of Music & Dance, and today the couple, who are based in Frankfurt am Main, perform both as soloists and as a duo in Germany, Israel, and across Europe, including in such renowned concert halls as the Berlin Philharmonie and the Laeiszhalle in Hamburg.
“At the meeting of one of the oldest and one of the youngest instruments in the history of music, a rarely heard sound experience unfolds, for in the combination presented by these two musicians, harp and saxophone resound in the most beautiful harmony.” – SWR 2. And as the Frankfurter Neue Presse described one of their concerts: “... it seems that one of the greatest inspirations of the Jerusalem Duo is the unique connection between them and their audience... The Jerusalem Duo creates an unforgettable experience in which music becomes a universal language and form of expression that opens a direct path to the heart of every listener.”
Duo DUOR has won several competitions, including the 6th Iberian Chamber Music Competition with Harp in Madrid (2019), the 6th International Competition for Israeli Music in London (2012), and the 3rd International TEREM-CROSSOVER Competition in St. Petersburg, Russia (2013). As scholarship holders of Live-Music-Now Frankfurt, they have performed more than 80 concerts in a wide variety of venues.
With their performance on October 3, 2017, at Mainz Cathedral during the main service on the “Day of German Unity,” before Chancellor Angela Merkel and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, they enchanted millions of television viewers. They also provided the musical framework for the high-profile commemorative event “70 Years of the Luxembourg Agreement” on September 15, 2022, at the Jewish Museum in Berlin. At this event, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner gave speeches.
Since 2017, Duo DUOR has regularly performed with Maestro Giora Feidman, who is also Hila Ofek’s grandfather, and has taken part in three of his productions: Feidman meets Beatles, Klezmer for Peace, and Klezmer Virtuosi.
As the Jerusalem Duo, the ensemble has already released two CDs: "PREMIERE" (2017 on Pianissimo Musik) and "RAINBOW" (2021 on MACC Records). In 2025, their latest CD "OUTFRAMED", together with the Eliot Quartet, was released on the label Decurio.
Hila Ofek has won numerous prizes as a harpist in international competitions, including first prizes at the Concerto Competition of the Jerusalem Academy of Music and the Mexico International Harp Competition. She has performed as a soloist with prestigious orchestras such as the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra and the Carlos Chaves Orchestra and has made recordings with Maestro Giora Feidman and the Gershwin Quartet.
Hila holds a bachelor's degree from the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance and a master's degree from the University of Music and Performing Arts in Frankfurt, where she also completed her concert exam with distinction in 2019. She has been awarded scholarships from renowned organizations, including the America-Israel Cultural Foundation and the Hessian Cultural Foundation.
Hila Ofek plays Salvi harps and delights audiences with her artistry and exceptional musical performances.
HILA OFEK
ANDRE TSIRLIN
Andre Tsirlin is a celebrated saxophonist and winner of several prestigious competitions. As a soloist he has performed with renowned ensembles such as the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, the Italian Saxophone Orchestra and the St. Petersburg Chamber Orchestra. Notable performances include Carnegie Hall in New York and the Musikverein and Konzerthaus in Vienna, where he has received top awards for his performances.
Andre Tsirlin holds a bachelor's degree from the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance and a master's degree from the University of Mainz. He further refined his skills at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Frankfurt. He has received support for his exceptional achievements from renowned organizations such as the America-Israel Cultural Foundation and the Hessian Cultural Foundation.
PROGRAMS
“OUTFRAMED” is a modern and innovative collaboration between Duo Duor and the Eliot Quartet, combining the two worlds of crossover and classical music. This captivating album showcases bold interpretations of Mozart and Rachmaninoff's masterpieces, as well as the premiere of an original composition by Amit Weiner, written for this unique ensemble.
“OUTFRAMED” breaks out of conventions and transcends the boundaries of traditional performance by inviting the audience on a journey beyond the familiar framework of these famous pieces. Through dynamic interplay and new perspectives, Duo Duor and the Eliot Quartet bring the compositions to new life, revealing hidden depths and nuances.
"SOUNDS of PRAYERS" is a deeply moving musical program that takes audiences on an evocative journey through the world's spiritual traditions. The program transcends religious and cultural boundaries to explore the shared essence of prayer through the universal language of music. It highlights the many ways in which different cultures use music to express their deepest longings.
With a careful selection of pieces from Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions, the program demonstrates that music, as a form of prayer and reflection, unites all of humanity. Duo Duor's distinctive style of leading the program guides the audience through the various spiritual stations, expressing the timeless and universal message of hope and reconciliation.
It all began with a spontaneous living room concert in the heart of Berlin. Hila Ofek (harp) and Andre Tsirlin (saxophone) had only arrived in Germany a week earlier and gave a performance that launched their career. That unforgettable evening in 2013 marked the birth of the Duo Duor.
Since then, the duo has been thrilling audiences worldwide. They have made a name for themselves with numerous concerts, three celebrated albums and performances at renowned venues in Germany, Switzerland, Lithuania, England, Russia, Spain and Austria. Highlights include performances at the Berlin Philharmonic Hall and for the German President, former Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
“Roots and Routes” tells Duo Duors musical story: from their hometown of Jerusalem to the defining moments of their career. With artistry and feeling, it celebrates their journey and the music that makes up Duo Duor.
Since the death of her grandmother, Shira has become much more anxious—she wishes so deeply that she were braver. Until one night, she meets a talking mouse wearing a top hat named Herr von und zu Moll. Together with him and with the help of a wondrous bag, she travels to various conflict zones around the world, bringing forgotten songs to sad children and giving them new hope through the power of music.
Their journey leads them back to Frankfurt shortly after the Second World War, to present-day Ukraine, to Russia, Syria, Iran, Gaza, and Israel. Along the way, Shira gains many new friends who follow her on her journey, and above all, she finds the courage to stand up for herself and others. Ultimately, she comes to understand what all of this has to do with the suffering and courage of her grandmother, who was in Theresienstadt as a child.
An appeal for peace, courage, and hope.