Alexandre Tharaud- Four Hands
This was something I'd had in mind for a long time..." says pianist Alexandre Tharaud, "to put together an album for the sheer pleasure of it, in collaboration with dear friends and paying tribute to the wonders of the piano duet repertoire." The aptly named 4 Hands offers 18 tracks, each just a few minutes in length, each featuring Tharaud sharing a piano keyboard with a different partner. The repertoire ranges wide - from Bach to Glass by way of such composers as Schubert, Tchaikovsky, Grieg, Fauré, Satie, Debussy, Ravel, Rachmaninov, Ravel and Piazzolla. 15 of Tharaud's fellow performers are celebrated pianists - among them the late Nicholas Angelich, Mariam Batsashvili, Bertrand Chamayou, David Fray, Víkingur Ólafsson and Beatrice Rana. The other three, all stars in their musical fields, are shown in a new, pianistic light: cellist Gautier Capuçon, countertenor Philippe Jaroussky and singer-songwriter Juliette. "The piano duet is one of life's miracles," continues Tharaud. "First and foremost, it is the most intimate way of playing chamber music... It was a joy to record this album... If hearing these pieces prompts people to buy some sheet music and enjoy playing duets together - just as we did in the recording studio - then I will have achieved my aim.
Track List
- 21 Hungarian Dances Woo 1: No. 5 in F-Sharp minor (Piano 4-Hands Version)
- Gottes Zeit Ist Die Allerbeste Zeit BWV 106 "Actus Tragicus": No. 2 Chöre Arioso Und Aria. "Gottes Zeit Ist Die Allerbeste Zeit" (Arr. Kurtág for Piano 4-Hands)
- Libertango (Arr. Yamamoto for Piano 4-Hands)
- Dolly Op. 56: I. Berceuse
- The Sleeping Beauty Op. 66 Act 1 "The Spell": No. 6 Waltz (Arr. Rachmaninov for Piano 4-Hands)
- Ma Mère L'oye M. 60: V. Le Jardin Féérique
- Parade: Prestidigitateur Chinois
- 15 Portraits D'enfants D'auguste Renoir: No. 7 Fillette Au Chapeau Bleu
- 3 Marches Militaires Op. 51 D. 733: No. 1 in D Major
- 4 Norwegian Dances Op. 35: No. 2 in a Major Allegretto Tranquillo E Grazioso
- Piano Trio in G Major Hob. XV:25: III. Rondo All'ongarese. Presto (Arr. Metzdorff for Piano 4-Hands)
- Slavonic Dances Op. 72 B. 145: No. 2 in E minor Allegretto Grazioso
- Galop-Marche À Huit Mains (Arr. Lemoine for Piano 4-Hands)
- 3 + 3: No. 3 the Just Average
- Sonata for Piano 4-Hands in D Major K. 381: III. Allegro Molto
- Sonata for Piano 4-Hands FP 8: I. Prelude
- Knitter Alexandre Tharaud - Petite Suite CD 71 L. 65: I. en Bateau
- 3 Pieces for Four Hands: No. 2 Stokes
- 6 Morceaux Op. 11: No. 1 Barcarolle
- 6 Studien in Kanonischer Form Op. 56: No. 4 Innig (Transcr. Bizet for Piano 4-Hands)
- Barcarolle Op. 26
- Jeux D'enfants Op. 22 WD 56: No. 12 Le Bal
This was something I'd had in mind for a long time..." says pianist Alexandre Tharaud, "to put together an album for the sheer pleasure of it, in collaboration with dear friends and paying tribute to the wonders of the piano duet repertoire." The aptly named 4 Hands offers 18 tracks, each just a few minutes in length, each featuring Tharaud sharing a piano keyboard with a different partner. The repertoire ranges wide - from Bach to Glass by way of such composers as Schubert, Tchaikovsky, Grieg, Fauré, Satie, Debussy, Ravel, Rachmaninov, Ravel and Piazzolla. 15 of Tharaud's fellow performers are celebrated pianists - among them the late Nicholas Angelich, Mariam Batsashvili, Bertrand Chamayou, David Fray, Víkingur Ólafsson and Beatrice Rana. The other three, all stars in their musical fields, are shown in a new, pianistic light: cellist Gautier Capuçon, countertenor Philippe Jaroussky and singer-songwriter Juliette. "The piano duet is one of life's miracles," continues Tharaud. "First and foremost, it is the most intimate way of playing chamber music... It was a joy to record this album... If hearing these pieces prompts people to buy some sheet music and enjoy playing duets together - just as we did in the recording studio - then I will have achieved my aim.
Track List
- 21 Hungarian Dances Woo 1: No. 5 in F-Sharp minor (Piano 4-Hands Version)
- Gottes Zeit Ist Die Allerbeste Zeit BWV 106 "Actus Tragicus": No. 2 Chöre Arioso Und Aria. "Gottes Zeit Ist Die Allerbeste Zeit" (Arr. Kurtág for Piano 4-Hands)
- Libertango (Arr. Yamamoto for Piano 4-Hands)
- Dolly Op. 56: I. Berceuse
- The Sleeping Beauty Op. 66 Act 1 "The Spell": No. 6 Waltz (Arr. Rachmaninov for Piano 4-Hands)
- Ma Mère L'oye M. 60: V. Le Jardin Féérique
- Parade: Prestidigitateur Chinois
- 15 Portraits D'enfants D'auguste Renoir: No. 7 Fillette Au Chapeau Bleu
- 3 Marches Militaires Op. 51 D. 733: No. 1 in D Major
- 4 Norwegian Dances Op. 35: No. 2 in a Major Allegretto Tranquillo E Grazioso
- Piano Trio in G Major Hob. XV:25: III. Rondo All'ongarese. Presto (Arr. Metzdorff for Piano 4-Hands)
- Slavonic Dances Op. 72 B. 145: No. 2 in E minor Allegretto Grazioso
- Galop-Marche À Huit Mains (Arr. Lemoine for Piano 4-Hands)
- 3 + 3: No. 3 the Just Average
- Sonata for Piano 4-Hands in D Major K. 381: III. Allegro Molto
- Sonata for Piano 4-Hands FP 8: I. Prelude
- Knitter Alexandre Tharaud - Petite Suite CD 71 L. 65: I. en Bateau
- 3 Pieces for Four Hands: No. 2 Stokes
- 6 Morceaux Op. 11: No. 1 Barcarolle
- 6 Studien in Kanonischer Form Op. 56: No. 4 Innig (Transcr. Bizet for Piano 4-Hands)
- Barcarolle Op. 26
- Jeux D'enfants Op. 22 WD 56: No. 12 Le Bal