Dowling / Hodges- Cocktails for Two (CD)
The art of arranging popular music for two pianos blossomed during the first half of the twentieth century. The sparkle and richness of twin pianos was deemed essential to the success of many Broadway shows like Gershwin's 1924 hit "Lady Be Good!" (starring Fred and Adele Astaire). In "Cocktails for Two," pianists Richard Dowling and Frederick Hodges revive more than a dozen scintillating, virtuosic piano duets of the art deco era by such composers and arrangers as George Gershwin, Zez Confrey, Bix Beiderbecke, Ernesto Lecuona, Cole Porter, Nacio Herb Brown, and Mario Braggiotti. The CD includes a 16-page color booklet with detailed notes by the artists. 16 tracks. 52 minutes.
The art of arranging popular music for two pianos blossomed during the first half of the twentieth century. The sparkle and richness of twin pianos was deemed essential to the success of many Broadway shows like Gershwin's 1924 hit "Lady Be Good!" (starring Fred and Adele Astaire). In "Cocktails for Two," pianists Richard Dowling and Frederick Hodges revive more than a dozen scintillating, virtuosic piano duets of the art deco era by such composers and arrangers as George Gershwin, Zez Confrey, Bix Beiderbecke, Ernesto Lecuona, Cole Porter, Nacio Herb Brown, and Mario Braggiotti. The CD includes a 16-page color booklet with detailed notes by the artists. 16 tracks. 52 minutes.