Title: Four Hands
Artist: Alexandre Tharaud
Label: Erato
Product Type: COMPACT DISCS
UPC: 5054197933523
Genre: Classical
Release Date: 2024-08-30
Number of Discs: 1

This was something I’d had in mind for a long time…” says pianist Alexandre Tharaud, “to put together an album for the sheer pleasure of it, in collaboration with dear friends and paying tribute to the wonders of the piano duet repertoire.” The aptly named 4 Hands offers 18 tracks, each just a few minutes in length, each featuring Tharaud sharing a piano keyboard with a different partner. The repertoire ranges wide – from Bach to Glass by way of such composers as Schubert, Tchaikovsky, Grieg, Faur, Satie, Debussy, Ravel, Rachmaninov, Ravel and Piazzolla. 15 of Tharaud’s fellow performers are celebrated pianists – among them the late Nicholas Angelich, Mariam Batsashvili, Bertrand Chamayou, David Fray, Vkingur lafsson and Beatrice Rana. The other three, all stars in their musical fields, are shown in a new, pianistic light: cellist Gautier Capuon, countertenor Philippe Jaroussky and singer-songwriter Juliette. “The piano duet is one of life’s miracles,” continues Tharaud. “First and foremost, it is the most intimate way of playing chamber music… It was a joy to record this album… If hearing these pieces prompts people to buy some sheet music and enjoy playing duets together – just as we did in the recording studio – then I will have achieved my aim.

Tracks:
1.1 21 Hungarian Dances, Woo 1: No. 5 in F-Sharp minor (Piano 4-Hands Version)
1.2 Gottes Zeit Ist Die Allerbeste Zeit, BWV 106 “Actus Tragicus”: No. 2, Chre, Arioso Und Aria. “Gottes Zeit Ist Die Allerbeste Zeit” (Arr. Kurtg for Piano 4-Hands)
1.3 Libertango (Arr. Yamamoto for Piano 4-Hands)
1.4 Dolly, Op. 56: I. Berceuse
1.5 The Sleeping Beauty, Op. 66, Act 1 “The Spell”: No. 6, Waltz (Arr. Rachmaninov for Piano 4-Hands)
1.6 Ma Mre L’oye, M. 60: V. Le Jardin Frique
1.7 Parade: Prestidigitateur Chinois
1.8 15 Portraits D’enfants D’auguste Renoir: No. 7, Fillette Au Chapeau Bleu
1.9 3 Marches Militaires, Op. 51, D. 733: No. 1 in D Major
1.10 4 Norwegian Dances, Op. 35: No. 2 in a Major, Allegretto Tranquillo E Grazioso
1.11 Piano Trio in G Major, Hob. XV:25: III. Rondo All’ongarese. Presto (Arr. Metzdorff for Piano 4-Hands)
1.12 Slavonic Dances, Op. 72, B. 145: No. 2 in E minor, Allegretto Grazioso
1.13 Galop-Marche Huit Mains (Arr. Lemoine for Piano 4-Hands)
1.14 3 + 3: No. 3, the Just Average
1.15 Sonata for Piano 4-Hands in D Major, K. 381: III. Allegro Molto
1.16 Sonata for Piano 4-Hands, FP 8: I. Prelude
1.17 Knitter, Alexandre Tharaud – Petite Suite, CD 71, L. 65: I. en Bateau
1.18 3 Pieces for Four Hands: No. 2, Stokes
1.19 6 Morceaux, Op. 11: No. 1, Barcarolle
1.20 6 Studien in Kanonischer Form, Op. 56: No. 4, Innig (Transcr. Bizet for Piano 4-Hands)
1.21 Barcarolle, Op. 26
1.22 Jeux D’enfants, Op. 22, WD 56: No. 12, Le Bal