Alexandre Tharaud - Four Hands (CD)

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:

Disc: 1

1. 21 Hungarian Dances, Woo 1: No. 5 in F-Sharp minor (Piano 4-Hands Version)
2. 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)
3. Libertango (Arr. Yamamoto for Piano 4-Hands)
4. Dolly, Op. 56: I. Berceuse
5. The Sleeping Beauty, Op. 66, Act 1 "The Spell": No. 6, Waltz (Arr. Rachmaninov for Piano 4-Hands)
6. Ma Mère L'oye, M. 60: V. Le Jardin Féérique
7. Parade: Prestidigitateur Chinois
8. 15 Portraits D'enfants D'auguste Renoir: No. 7, Fillette Au Chapeau Bleu
9. 3 Marches Militaires, Op. 51, D. 733: No. 1 in D Major
10. 4 Norwegian Dances, Op. 35: No. 2 in a Major, Allegretto Tranquillo E Grazioso
11. Piano Trio in G Major, Hob. XV:25: III. Rondo All'ongarese. Presto (Arr. Metzdorff for Piano 4-Hands)
12. Slavonic Dances, Op. 72, B. 145: No. 2 in E minor, Allegretto Grazioso
13. Galop-Marche À Huit Mains (Arr. Lemoine for Piano 4-Hands)
14. 3 + 3: No. 3, the Just Average
15. Sonata for Piano 4-Hands in D Major, K. 381: III. Allegro Molto
16. Sonata for Piano 4-Hands, FP 8: I. Prelude
17. Knitter, Alexandre Tharaud - Petite Suite, CD 71, L. 65: I. en Bateau
18. 3 Pieces for Four Hands: No. 2, Stokes
19. 6 Morceaux, Op. 11: No. 1, Barcarolle
20. 6 Studien in Kanonischer Form, Op. 56: No. 4, Innig (Transcr. Bizet for Piano 4-Hands)
21. Barcarolle, Op. 26
22. Jeux D'enfants, Op. 22, WD 56: No. 12, Le Bal