The bright, attractive covers of this 3 volume set welcome the student to a wonderful world of beautiful and accessible duets. Ragtime, waltzes, folk songs, variations, ballads and dances in a wide variety of tempos are included. The Yankee Doodle Variations and Central Park ride obviously suggest an American theme but there is plenty here to delight all students and to introduce the joy of piano duets. Primo and Secondo parts are equal in difficulty and melodies are shared between the two parts. Excellent for use as sightreading material with older students, the range of difficulty would be approximately RCM grade 3 to 6. In keys of up to only 2 sharps or 1 flat, the rhythms are uncomplicated and the music is well laid out and easy to read. Students testing this material found them “pretty”, tuneful and easy to learn, particularly “The Water is Wide”.
Volumes 1 and 2 are collections representing eight American composers including Melanie Bober, whose publications were reviewed in the Spring 2005 Newsletter. Written for equal partners, the music is easy to read and uses contemporary idioms such as tone clusters and hand clapping. Student “testers” enjoyed the energetic and rhythmic nature of these duets. Particularly appealing to boys would be “The Legend of Pirate Pete”, “Transylvania Trainride” and “Monster Play”. Volume 1, rated Elementary/Late Elementary, would correspond to RCM grades 1-2, while Volume 2 is rated “Intermediate/Late Intermediate” and would be roughly RCM grades 3-5. Volume 3 is a collection of classical pieces arranged by M. Bober, T. Brown, and K. Olson. Selections include: “Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel, the “Young Prince and the Princess” by Rimsky-Korsakov, “The Stars and Stripes Forever” and “The Washington Post March” by J.P. Sousa and “Sicilienne” by G. Faure.
A 10 page work (5 pages for each partner) labelled “Intermediate” this fast, lively piece would be suitable for Grades 6-7 students. Technical challenges include: rapid scale passages, syncopations and 16th note broken chords. Secondo part alternates between reading in either two bass clefs or treble and bass, while Primo reads in two treble clefs with many 8va indications for the right hand. Written in a pseudo-Sousa style, this piece would appeal to students who also play in high school bands.
Arranger Kevin Olson effectively weaves several themes from Bizet’s opera Carmen together to create a dramatic and challenging duet. This work may be performed on 1 piano, 4 hands or 2 pianos, 4 hands (optional second piano part included). Rated Late Intermediate/Early Advanced, A Carmen Celebration would be appropriate for students Grade 8 and higher. A l4-page piece with frequent key and tempo changes, it features trills, half-note triplets and grace notes. The notation shows rhythmic cues in the opposite part – a great idea which helps to coordinate entries after extended solo passages. A very effective recital or festival piece
Reviewed by the Piano Extravaganza Duo (Katherine Hume & Nita Pelletier)
Duet Reviews to be published in the upcoming edition of the British Columbia Registered Music Teachers' Association Provincial Newsletter. For more information about the BCRMTA go to http://ww.bcrmta.bc.ca