Music for 2 Pianos

JULIUS RÖNTGEN (1855-1932): Variations on a Theme by César Franck, Variations on a Theme by Beethoven, CARL REINECKE (1824-1910): Variations on a Sarabande by J.S. Bach, Andante and Variations, JOHANNES BRAHMS (1833-1897): Variations on a Theme by Haydn.

Description: The two sets of variations by Reinecke are exquisite examples of two-piano writing and exhibit attractive traits of the Leipzig School, at times providing strong echoes of Schumann and J.S. Bach, quite overtly in his Variations on a Sarabande by J.S. Bach. Likewise, the two sets of previously unpublished works by Röntgen (Franck did not write the theme - it is a folksong but, then, Haydn didn’t write the theme used by Brahms either; the Beethoven theme is from the finale of his string quartet Op. 130), dating from, 1903 and 1917, are well-rooted in that same Leipzig School, reveal a mastery of composition in the two-piano genre, an area in which he is currently unknown. Mark Anderson, Michelle Mares (pianos).