Piano Duets

This book presents a highly attractive and varied collection of piano duets by British composers of the twentieth century, including arrangements and original works. The pieces illustrate in miniature the variety of moods and styles of music from this period, from the wistfully romantic to the sophisticated. Two contrasting movements from Britten's Simple Symphony are included, skillfully arranged by his friend Howard Ferguson. Also included is Constant Lambert's spirited Trois pieces negres, pour les touches blanches, where the composer brilliantly rose to the challenge of writing jazz-inflected pieces using only the white keys. With two of Walton's most popular pieces, including a new arrangement of Popular Song from Facade, the album is completed with colorful pieces by Edward Gregson, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and York Bowen.