Tournament for Twenty Fingers

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Captured in beguilingly immediate sound that creates the impression of Emma Abbate and Julian Perkins playing in your liv ing room, this is a recording I have already returned to several times... — BBC Music Magazine, October 2022, 5 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 5th Aug 2022
Catalogue No: BIS2578
Label: BIS
Length: 69 minutes

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Berkeley, L: Palm Court Waltz for piano duet Op. 81 No. 2

Work length4:11

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Emma Abbate (piano), Julian Perkins (piano)

Berkeley, L: Sonatina for piano duet Op. 39

Work length9:10

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$3.90

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Emma Abbate (piano), Julian Perkins (piano)

I. Allegro moderato

Track length3:08

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II. Andante

Track length2:55

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III. Allegro

Track length3:07

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Berkeley, L: Theme and Variations for four hands, Op. 73

Work length7:49

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Emma Abbate (piano), Julian Perkins (piano)

Arnell: Sonatina for Piano 4 Hands, Op. 61

Work length8:22

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Emma Abbate (piano), Julian Perkins (piano)

I. Andante e maestoso

Track length0:58

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II. Allegro

Track length2:17

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III. Andante

Track length2:26

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IV. Poco presto

Track length2:41

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Dodgson: Tournament for Twenty Fingers, Pt. 1

Work length10:36

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Emma Abbate (piano), Julian Perkins (piano)

No. 1, Gavotte

Track length1:25

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No. 2, Romance

Track length2:58

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No. 3, Fantasia in C Minor

Track length2:42

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No. 4, Cradle Song

Track length1:31

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No. 5, Hill-Billy

Track length2:00

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Dodgson: Tournament for Twenty Fingers, Pt. 2

Work length11:16

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Emma Abbate (piano), Julian Perkins (piano)

No. 1, Allegretto in F Major

Track length1:45

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No. 2, Cradle Song (Extended Version)

Track length2:05

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No. 3, A Bohemian Entertainment

Track length7:26

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Dodgson: Sonata for 2 Pianos

Work length8:52

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Emma Abbate (piano), Julian Perkins (piano)

Lambert, C: Trois Pieces Negres

Work length9:00

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Emma Abbate (piano), Julian Perkins (piano)

No. 1, Aubade

Track length2:23

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No. 2, Siesta

Track length3:39

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No. 3, Nocturne

Track length2:58

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About
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About

Initially enjoying popularity first in Germany-speaking lands and then in France, the genre of the piano duet (four hands, one piano) went on to blossom in England during the 20th century. On this album Emma Abbate and Julian Perkins present the complete works for piano duet by each of the composers selected. Palm Court Waltz, the Sonatina and Theme and Variations from Lennox Berkeley display Gallic traits, the consequence no doubt of his studies in France and his keen interest in the music of Satie, Ravel and Poulenc. While showing an evolution in the composer’s approach to tonality, every hint of seriousness is constantly balanced by elegant playfulness and diaphanous textures.

Less well-known than Berkeley, Richard Arnell and Stephen Dodgson nevertheless contribute to the general atmosphere with their unabashedly tonal music that shows the neoclassical influence of Hindemith, Prokofiev and Stravinsky. Dodgson’s suite Tournament for Twenty Fingers, which gives its title to this disc, is especially full of fun while ending with a homage to the Czech composers Dvořák and Janáček. An outstanding talent, Constant Lambert held jazz in high esteem and his Trois Pièces –written to be played entirely on the piano’s white keys – form a high-spirited and heartfelt tribute to its rhythmical vitality and inventiveness.

Reviews

October 2022

Captured in beguilingly immediate sound that creates the impression of Emma Abbate and Julian Perkins playing in your liv ing room, this is a recording I have already returned to several times simply for the pleasure of hearing two players at the top of their game.

Jan/Feb 2023

Throughout, the duo plays with infectious verve, arresting synchronicity, lovely tone, and supple phrasing. This is duo playing that provides the best of both worlds; the sonic richness of piano four hands, executed with a precision that creates the aural illusion of but a single player at the keyboard.

October 2022

it’s the Lambert pieces that are the outstanding compositions and performances here.

August 2022

The performances by Emma Abbate and Julian Perkins are thoroughly enjoyable, committed, and technically sound. The BIS recording is excellent... I suggest a careful exploration of this programme. Each work is worthy of due attention and concentration.

Tournament for Twenty Fingers

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