Immerse yourself in the captivating world of 20th-century classical music with the Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo's stunning album, "20th Century Masterpieces for 2 Pianos and Orchestra." Released on January 1, 2017, under the MSR Classics label, this two-hour and six-minute collection is a testament to the duo's exceptional skill and musical synergy.
The album features a diverse range of compositions, including concertos, suites, and fantasies, all masterfully performed by the Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of David Amos. From the energetic and bright opening of "Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orchestra, Op. 33: I. Allegro risoluto" to the delicate and deliberate movements of "Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orchestra: IV. Slow, deliberate; fast," each track showcases the duo's technical prowess and emotional depth.
Highlights include the intricate and lively "Suite for 2 Pianos and Orchestra: VIII. Variation IV - Tarantella (Molto vivace)" and the serene "Dialoghi VII for 2 Pianos and Orchestra: II. Lento." The album also features the world premiere recording of Walter Piston's "Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orchestra," a significant addition to the repertoire.
The Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo's non-verbal communication and openness to each other's ideas shine through in every piece, creating a harmonious and engaging listening experience. Whether you're a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album offers a rich and rewarding exploration of 20th-century masterpieces for two pianos and orchestra.
(C) 2017 Joshua Pierce(P) 2017 Joshua Pierce
Tracks
Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orchestra, Op. 33: I. Allegro risoluto – Animato – Pochissimo meno – Molto vivaceNikolai Lopatnikoff, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, David Amos, Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra
Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orchestra, Op. 33: II. Andante – Poco agitato – A tempo (tranquillo) – come primoNikolai Lopatnikoff, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, David Amos, Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra
Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orchestra, Op. 33: III. Allegro molto vivace – Molto tranquillo – TempoNikolai Lopatnikoff, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, David Amos, Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra
Suite for 2 Pianos and Orchestra: I. lntroduction and Allegro. Lento pesante – Allegro con brioAlexandre Tansman, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, Carlos Piantini, Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra
Suite for 2 Pianos and Orchestra: II. lntermezzo - LentoAlexandre Tansman, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, David Amos, Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra
Suite for 2 Pianos and Orchestra: III. Perpetuum Mobile - Presto possibileAlexandre Tansman, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, David Amos, Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra
Suite for 2 Pianos and Orchestra: IV. Variations, Double-Fugue and Finale - ModereAlexandre Tansman, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, David Amos, Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra
Suite for 2 Pianos and Orchestra: V. Variation I - L’istesso tempoAlexandre Tansman, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, David Amos, Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra
Suite for 2 Pianos and Orchestra: VI. Variation ll: RisolutoAlexandre Tansman, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, David Amos, Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra
Suite for 2 Pianos and Orchestra: VII. Variation II - Sarabande (Lento)Alexandre Tansman, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, David Amos, Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra
Suite for 2 Pianos and Orchestra: VIII. Variation IV - Tarantella (Molto vivace)Alexandre Tansman, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, David Amos, Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra
Suite for 2 Pianos and Orchestra: IX. Variation V - Variation Polonaise (Modere)Alexandre Tansman, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, David Amos, Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra
Suite for 2 Pianos and Orchestra: X. Double Fugue and Finale - Allegro decisoAlexandre Tansman, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, David Amos, Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra
Dialoghi VII for 2 Pianos and Orchestra: I. AllegroGian Francesco Malipiero, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, David Amos, Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra
Dialoghi VII for 2 Pianos and Orchestra: II. LentoGian Francesco Malipiero, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, David Amos, Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra
Dialoghi VII for 2 Pianos and Orchestra: III. Allegro – A tempo – Più mossoGian Francesco Malipiero, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, David Amos, Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra
Fantasie for 2 Pianos and Orchestra, Op. 9: I. Allegro con fuocoNicolai Berezovsky, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, David Amos, National Symphony Orchestra of Polish Radio and Television
Fantasie for 2 Pianos and Orchestra, Op. 9: II. Allegro vivoNicolai Berezovsky, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, David Amos, National Symphony Orchestra of Polish Radio and Television
Concerto in D Minor for 2 Pianos and Orchestra: I. Allegro non troppo – Lento subito – Tempo I – Lento subito – CalmeFrancis Poulenc, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, David Amos, National Symphony Orchestra of Polish Radio and Television
Concerto in D Minor for 2 Pianos and Orchestra: II. Larghetto – Beaucoup plus allant – Tempo IFrancis Poulenc, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, David Amos, National Symphony Orchestra of Polish Radio and Television
Concerto in D Minor for 2 Pianos and Orchestra: III. Finale: Allegro molto – Agitae – Plus calme – Tempo I – Sans ralentirFrancis Poulenc, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, David Amos, National Symphony Orchestra of Polish Radio and Television
Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orchestra: I. Fast and brightRobert Starer, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, Carlos Piantini, Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra
Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orchestra: II. Slow, poco rubatoRobert Starer, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, Carlos Piantini, Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra
Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orchestra: III. LightheartedlyRobert Starer, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, Carlos Piantini, Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra
Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orchestra: IV. Slow, deliberate; fastRobert Starer, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, Carlos Piantini, Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra
Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orchestra, Op. 50: I. Allegro energicoPaul Creston, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, David Amos, National Symphony Orchestra of Polish Radio and Television
Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orchestra, Op. 50: II. Andante pastoralePaul Creston, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, David Amos, National Symphony Orchestra of Polish Radio and Television
Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orchestra, Op. 50: III. Allegro vivoPaul Creston, Pierce & Jonas Piano Duo, David Amos, National Symphony Orchestra of Polish Radio and Television