Piano Duets: Russian Composers

Description: This collection presents nine beautifully-crafted duet arrangements of classic works from the Russian repertory. Compiled and prepared by composer Halyna Ovcharenko, the arrangements have been carefully selected from a variety of genres, including orchestral, chamber, opera, and ballet. Twentieth-century classics such as the Allegretto from Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 8 and the Gavotte from Prokofiev's 'Classical' Symphony sit alongside timeless masterpieces like Rimsky-Korsakov's Sheherazade and Tchaikovsky's 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy' from The Nutcracker. Topped off with works by Glinka, Borodin, Musorgsky, and Rachmaninoff, the result is a varied and satisfying collection suitable for all intermediate and advanced duettists. Review: These make wonderful sight-reading for Grades 4 and upwards (as far as it's possible to grade anyone) and will make perfect performance pieces for friends and relatives to play together at concerts. The layout of the printing is widely spaced and distinct, the book open out well on the music stand and the page turns are thoughtfully chosen. These arrangements are sensitively harmonised with a careful ear for the original sound and are a welcome addition to the library of duet music. Bronwen Brindley, Piano Professional Autumn 2010 Table of Contents: Allegretto from String Quartet No. 8; Polovtsian Dance No. 1; Nocturne from String Quartet No. 2; Kamarinskaya; 'Gopak' from Sorochintsi Fair; Gavotte from Symphony No. 1, 'Classical'; Vocalise; Sheherazade; Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker