It’s rare, almost unheard of, for me to be sent a book of piano duets to review. Personally, I’ve always enjoyed playing piano duets, something I did with my own teacher from the very earliest stages of learning. As a consequence, they are and continue to be an important part of my teaching. The Faber Music Piano Duets Anthology is a substantial volume billed as:
‘A collection of some of the best music ever written for piano duet (one piano, four hands), beautifully presented in progressive order for intermediate pianists’.
The 200-page book contains 29 piano duets of varying length, from a couple to 10 pages (including both primo and secondo parts). I would suggest that this book, aimed at intermediate pianists, would suit players of around Grades 4-6. There are, I’m sure, some great options here for GCSE ensemble performances.
One of the things I particularly liked about this volume, is the variety of music included. Well-known piano duet favourites such as the ‘Berceuse’ from Fauré’s Dolly Suite and ‘En bateau’ from Debussy’s Petite Suite, sit alongside arrangements of classical works, such as Handel’s ‘Arrival of the Queen of Sheba’ from Solomon, Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 5, and the ‘Sonatina’ from Bach’s Cantata No. 106.
It’s not just classical music though. Jazz and blues feature in arrangements of Gershwin’s ‘Prelude No. 3’ from his Three Preludes, and Nina Simone’s Sinnerman, based on an African-American spiritual. I was thrilled to see some arrangements of relatively contemporary piano works included too, such as Margaret Bonds’ Troubled Water. There are some original piano duets too such as Pam Wedgwood’s Amber. There were some works new to me too, including Phoria’s Current and Danny Elfman’s ‘The Piano Duet’ from Corpse Bride.
Overall, this is a substantial volume packed full, not only with many of the ‘standard’ piano duets, such as those by Ravel, Debussy, Fauré, and Schubert, but contemporary classical works, film music, jazz, ragtime, and blues. If you’ve reached around Grade 4 level and you’re new to playing piano duets, then this book is a great place to start. If you’re a veteran player of piano duets, then amongst the old favourites, there is still plenty here to delight and explore. Fabulous value, clearly presented, and do you know what, the best thing of of all? The pages lie open flat on the music stand! What more could we ask for? Another brilliant volume in this ever-expanding series from Faber Music.
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Published 13.3.25.
The Faber Music Piano Duets Anthology is published by Faber Music, ISBN 9780571543243, RRP £25.00
I was sent a review copy of this book free of charge; however, this review is my honest opinion as a teacher. You can find my Reviews Policy here.
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