Maurice Hinson: spartiti difficile

The Fantasie in F minor, Op. 103, is Franz Schubert's most-often performed piano duet and is considered one of the great masterpieces of ensemble piano repertoire. Schubert completed the Fantasie in 1...

Franz Schubert was one of the most prolific composers of ensemble piano music, and these two marches demonstrate his mastery at writing for one piano, four hands. The Two Characteristic Marches, Op. 1...

The Spanish Dances, Op. 12, are probably Moszkowski's most famous piano works. These five duets are beautifully conceived for the piano and have a winning appeal. They often sound more difficult than...

George Gershwin's three most famous preludes demonstrate his genius for piano writing, and portray a variety of styles. Prelude I exudes energetic syncopation, Prelude II is a lyric blues with an osti...

George Gershwin's three most famous preludes demonstrate his genius for piano writing, and portray a variety of styles. Prelude I exudes energetic syncopation, Prelude II is a lyric blues with an osti...

Morton Gould composed brilliantly for orchestra, Broadway, film, television, ballet and piano. He became nationally recognized through his work in radio, where he introduced many of his own compositio...

Presumably inspired by Charles Sainte-Beuve's collection of poems, this set of six pieces provides a wonderful introduction to Liszt's melodic invention, mood evocation and harmonic language. The most...

Eight contrasing pieces with descriptive titles comprise the 'Fantasy Pieces', op. 12. Although the eight pieces form a homogeneous whole, each can be played individually without loss of effect. They...

Felix Mendelssohn's Allegro brillant, Op. 92, for one piano, four hands, was written in 1841 and dedicated to Clara Schumann. The expressive Andante theme alternates between the Secondo and Primo, seg...

Carnaval is characteristic of Schumann's highly individual youthful romanticism and requires musical maturity for performance. Written for advanced pianists, it is a series of glimpses enveloped in th...

An excellent series that concentrates on the performance of selected masterworks. Dr. Hinson includes fascinating historical notes surrounding the piece and composer, plus details on the form, style a...