Belle époque Intégrale pour 2 pianos & piano 4 mains

Description

Reynaldo Hahn (1874-1947): Works for 2 Pianos // Le Ruban Dénoué - Twelve Waltzes for Two Pianos, To Lull a Convalescent, Melancholic Caprice for Two Pianos, Slow Scherzo for Two Pianos* // Works for Four-Hand Piano // Pieces in the Form of Aria and Pastoral, Lullabies for Four-Hand Piano, Childish Variations for Four-Hand Piano on a Melody by Carl Reinecke*, Three Preludes for Four-Hand Piano on Irish Folk Tunes, Variations for Four-Hand Piano on a Theme by Charles Levadé* / *World Premiere Recording / Includes a 24-Page Booklet in English and French with Illustrations and Essays Here is a historic world premiere recording of the complete works of Reynaldo Hahn for two pianos and four-hand piano in a deluxe two-CD set by Leslie Howard and Mattia Ometto. La Belle Époque reveals music that enchanted the Parisian salons of the early 20th century and irresistibly brings back Hahn's instrumental music through performances overflowing with luxury: luxury, calm, and pleasure - luxury, elegance, and refinement. The exquisite arrangements of Reynaldo Hahn are at the heart of the vocal repertoire. But his piano music contains unknown wonders, an embodiment of the belle époque, full of wit and Gallic charm. Howard notes that because the music, its melody and harmony are so captivating, it is easy to overlook the perfection of the art and the writing of these pieces. The writing for two pianos and four-hand piano has often been performed in a way that compresses orchestral ideas for the keyboard. Hahn's pieces are designed for two pianos or four hands on the same keyboard, offering possibilities beyond the capabilities of a single pianist. While many painters and sculptors struggled to make ends meet in the attics of the fin de siècle in Montmartre, there were others, including Proust and Hahn, who had enough wealth to afford to develop their art in relative comfort, with the luxury of time for reflection.