Escapades

Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus, Nicolai, Otto, Reger, Max, Rossini, Gioachino, Scharwenka, Franz Xaver

Piano Duo Trenkner/Speidel

MDG 330 1134-2

“Overtures and Variations for Piano Duet,” the subtitle of this CD, is merely descriptive and gives nary a clue of the splendid compositions and great fun in store in these spirited and inspiring interpretations by the Trenker-Speidel Duo, who in recent years have set new standards with their important MDG recordings.

With the introduction of the arrangement for piano duet, musicians of the nineteenth century scored a keyboard hat trick. Before the invention of the gramophone this new art form was the only method by which favorite opera scenes could be reproduced in sound in the home on any and all occasions; arrangers developed a highly lucrative source of income; and this twosome meant that the pianist no longer had to be a “lonesome soloist.”

This anthology features four musical genres in all their glory: enthralling operas including The Barber of Seville, Der Waffenschmidt, and The Merry Wives of Windsor, characterizing musical pictures full of atmosphere and mood like Xaver Scharwenka’s Pictures from the South, magnificent hymns like Max Reger’s Patriotic Overture, and genial musical parodies such as Karl Hermann Pillney’s famous variations in the style of great composers on “Was machst Du mit dem Knie, lieber Hans.”

CD x 1

MDG

11/25/11

760623113425