Welcome!
Welcome Everyone!
I know how lonely it is playing the piano all by ourselves, so I wanted to open up this thread where we can share and talk about 4-hand piano music!
It can be so fun to play with others and there are definitely possibilities for virtual collaboration.
Share what pieces interest you and any experience you have playing 4 hand piano selections!
This can include both repertoire for 4-hands ONE piano, or 4-hands TWO pianos!
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I will start things off:
I have played a fair amount (but not enough) 4 hand piano pieces!
Schubert: Fantasy in F minor
Piazzolla: 4 seasons
Schubert: Various Waltzes
Brahms: Hungarian Dances
Here is a recent video I made with a mentor of mine, Fabio Bidini, where we play Brahms Symphony no.4 together!
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My most memorable and fun duo was Poulenc concerto in d minor - mvmt II. Larghetto. No orchestra, so we played the orchestra parts when we could. I was second piano. I loved practicing together every week, and then we performed it twice.
Got started with another partner on Schubert Fantasie in F minor (secondo) and Brahms Sonata op. 34, Scherzo, (primo) but unfortunately circumstances stopped that collaboration before very much was learned. I have also played some Brahms waltz duets.I look forward to hopefully playing more duets soon!
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Thank you Dominic for setting this up! For anyone who would like to play the primo part of Berceuse from the Faure Dolly Suite, here are recordings of the secundo part I made a few years ago to play with a friend over a long distance. One version is kind of fast, (quarter note =92, recommended by the editor). There's a slower version as well (quarter note=80 bpm) that's a little more in line with how I've envisioned the piece. So, something simple to get started...
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Looking forward to playing some four hand pieces with Gail Starr and others! I have not played any 4 hand pieces before. The closest I have come is splitting 2 hands with my son many years ago when he was learning Bach inventions- to keep him company and encourage his hands separate practice I would play one hand and he would play the other. Then we would switch parts. I am interested in the Schubert Fantasy in F minor, some pieces by Rachmaninoff (4 hand transcription of Tchaikovsky’s sleeping beauty waltz and six hand valse/romance) and Brahms Hungarian dances.
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I always loved making music with others and I’m lucky to have a friend living close by with whom I can play piano duets. We just played the Schubert Fantasy in F-minor in a Masterclass and surely will continue playing this wonderful music. Before that we started the Debussy Petite Suite, which is gorgeous and two Mozart Sonatas (KV 381 and 497) All fantastic pieces - but not performance ready yet. It’s great fun to be working on these though. Thank you very much for opening this thread, Dominic! I look forward to learn about more repertoire for piano duets.
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It's good to hear those experiences of yours for the piano duet.
I myself, considered not so lucky on this -> extremely hard to get the chance to find someone play with. The only chance that I got was back dated mid 90s. That time, my piano teacher, got me a partner, to learn it for the exam purpose. The piece was Diabelli's sonata Op.38. I only manage to learn the first movement, then the project needs to be stopped. As my partner needs to spend more time on her preparation for the upcoming high-school final exam.
That's the experience I had. Time flies.
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I am currently working on Reynaldo Hahn's Berceuses. I've already played the first four and will be playing the last three on May 15 at the Steinway Piano Gallery in Michigan. Check out the pieces on imslp.org!
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I haven't done many four handed pieces in my life time, however, I have two students (siblings) 7 and 11 who always do a duet at our recitals. ;-) they are great together. Cute to watch. Last year the did a version of Schubert's March Militaire (I posted while coaching last year). This year they are doing a version of the Blue Danube. :-) Yes, cuteness ensues. Their 5 year old sister wants in on the action now too... LOL
I will be following this thread.