The following are some of our suggestions for teachers’ get-togethers and more advanced players:
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CHECK OUT: The 'Handbook for Duet Repertoire' by Klaus Börner, Schott (ATL 6300) 'The Piano Duet, a Guide for Pianists', by Ernest Lubin, Amazon and Abe Books |
Fun and inspiring pieces with a lot of rustic character. My favourites are No.6 in A flat and No.8 in G minor!
Alfred and older publishers
Four gorgeous pieces with the first probably the most accessible but all four worth working at.
Durand, UMP, Kjos but also other publishers
Wistful French pieces, with the Berceuse and Jardin de Dolly being the most accessible. Quite fiddly at times but worth every effort invested to work out individual parts and often tricky fingering.
UMP and other publishers
12 pieces full of character – best to start with Petit Mari, Petite Femme and La Poupée, the slower pieces, then attempt the faster ones (La Toupie to start with) some of which are quite virtuosic!
Durand and other publishers
Characterful pseudo medieval dances, packed full of interesting rhythms but not too difficult to master. Start with the Pavane and Pieds-en-l’air and then go for the quicker numbers. Great fun.
Boosey & Hawkes and Goodmusic Publishing
Many discoveries, individually and carefully chosen, not necessarily mainstream. A treasure trove.
Schott
This is only a VERY small selection of what is a huge genre in piano music. Once you have found the right partner you won’t want to stop playing duets! You will be exploring the beautiful original piano duet music by Schubert and Mozart, and the many many arrangements of symphonies, quartets, songs and other orchestral pieces. The list is quite literally endless - Enjoy!
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Beate Toyka, from the Rhineland in Germany, was raised and trained in the heart of the German classical tradition. She is a committed performer and teacher, and active as a concerto soloist, solo recitalist, and accompanist. She appears regularly in the UK, Central and Eastern Europe. As an enthusiast for duet and 8-hands playing, she formed the ‘Derby Piano Quartet’. Her teaching is characterised by a lively empathy for both the music being taught, and for the pupil. She is a valued adjudicator at music festivals. Beate is a principal tutor at the Piano Teachers’ Course, UK.
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