About

Violinist Yulia Gubaydullina and pianist Aliya Iskhaki began playing together in Kazan in 2012, when their paths crossed at the Kazan State Conservatory. Today, based in the Netherlands, Duo Mong has grown into a musical partnership shaped by years of playing together and a shared curiosity for repertoire.

Their programmes move naturally between the great works of the violin and piano repertoire and music that has rarely found its way onto European stages. Beethoven, Brahms, Franck and Stravinsky sit alongside composers whose names are still new to many listeners — including voices from the rich but little-known tradition of Tatar classical music.

Yulia Gubaydullina — Violin

Yulia Gubaydullina is a violinist, chamber musician and member of Philzuid. She also works with orchestras including the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Residentie Orkest and Het Balletorkest.

Before moving to the Netherlands, Yulia spent almost nine years as a first violinist with the orchestra of the Tatar State Opera and Ballet Theatre in Kazan. She studied at the Kazan State Conservatory with Vadim Afanasyev and later completed her Master’s degree at HKU Utrecht with Hebe Mensinga.

Her musical life today brings together orchestral playing, chamber music and projects that explore both established repertoire and music that is rarely heard on European stages.

Aliya Iskhaki — Piano

Aliya Iskhaki is a concert pianist and chamber musician based in the Netherlands. She has performed at venues including the Concertgebouw, Bimhuis and Théâtre Adyar, and has appeared at festivals including the Holland Festival, Grachtenfestival and Storioni International Chamber Music Festival.

Originally from Kazan, Aliya graduated with honours from the Kazan State Conservatory before continuing her studies in the Netherlands. She completed Master’s degrees at Codarts Rotterdam with Bart van de Roer and the Conservatorium van Amsterdam with Naum Grubert, and is a prizewinner of numerous national and international piano competitions.

Today, Aliya combines solo performance with chamber music and a variety of collaborative projects, working across a broad classical repertoire.

MOÑ

MONG

A Tatar word with no exact English equivalent.

It describes a particular quality of feeling in music —

a blend of lyricism, melancholy, warmth and emotional depth.

Perhaps it is better heard than translated.