As R. Weitzman lexplique in his excellent introduction, the Suite for two pianos was composed by Shostakovich after the sudden death of his father, to be played by the composer and his sister. A leitmotiv evoking sounds of bells is taken in four movements: a wild melody accented with tempo changes, fantastic Dance, an eminently magical night and a final virtuoso but deeply funeral.
The Concertino for two pianos op. 94 'deploys brilliant melodic material with abrupt changes of tempo and atmosphere.
The 'Suite for two pianos dA. Khachaturian is based on the themes of his ballet Gayane, transcribed for two pianos by A. and Mr. Gottlieb. It begins with a remarkable ostinato in the manner of the Sabre Dance, followed by a beautiful romantic melody (Romance) and ends with a waltz Ravellienne.
In the Armenian Rhapsody Arutiunian A. and A. Babadjanian reworked splendid Armenian folk melodies.
The interpretation of Seta Tanyel and Jeremy Brown is simply masterful.
This CD should not miss in the library of all classical music lovers.
