Four Hands for France: Music for Piano Duet
Playing four-hands piano was both vital in the dissemination of music in the nineteenth century and also a popular domestic activity. The French composers recorded here span the Romantic century, from the salon charm of Chaminade and Massenet and the virtuosity of Alkan’s wild dance to the innocence of the family music-room in pieces by Chausson, Godard and Ropartz. The original 1853 Parisian Erard piano on which this recording was made combines warmth with bell-like clarity due to its straight stringing, allowing it to produce a surprising variety of appealing, expressive textures.
Stephanie McCallum (primo) and Erin Helyard (secondo)
Piano Erard 1853
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ERNEST CHAUSSON
- I Gaîment
- II Andante
- III Finale
- I Mouvement de marche
- II Variations sur un thème danois, transcrit par Niels Gade
- III Rondeau
- No. 1 Andante
- No. 2 Lento
- No. 3 Allegretto
- No. 4 L’Angelus
- No. 5 Le Glas
- No. 6 Cloches du Soir
- No. 7 Choral
- No. 8 Tristesse
- No. 9 Intimité
- No. 10 Par les Champs
- No. 1 Andante
- No. 2 Allegretto quasi allegro
- No. 3 Andante
- Saltarelle, Op. 47
- No. 1 Primavera
- No. 2 Idylle Arabe
- No. 3 Sérénade d’automne
- No. 1 Pastorale mélancolique
- No. 2 Marche villageoise
Sonatines pour quatre mains, Op. 2 (1879)*
Sonatine No. 1 in G major (1878)
Sonatine No. 2 in D minor (1879)
GUY ROPARTZ
Petites Pièces (1903)*
JULES MASSENET
Pièces pour le Piano à 4 Mains: 1re Suite, Op. 11 (1867)*
CHARLES-VALENTIN ALKAN
Saltarelle, Op. 47 (1856)
CÉCILE CHAMINADE
Pièces romantiques, Op. 55 (1890)
BENJAMIN GODARD
Deux morceaux, Op. 137 (1893)*
* FIRST RECORDINGS
MusicWeb International :
‘The only word for the performances of Stephanie McCallum and Erin Halyard is “perfection”. Stephanie McCallum has many 19th Century French discs to her credit, and her fellow Australian Erin Helyard has demonstrated expertise in a variety of musical spheres, including his duo with Ms. McCallum. In terms of musicianship, coordination of performance, and sympathy for the repertoire, this recording is a stand-out and I can easily imagine the composers themselves applauding it if they were here today.’
—William Kreindler, MusicWeb International
Limelight :
‘McCallum and Helyard bring sparkling French duets to life on 1853 Erard piano.’
—Lisa MacKinney, Limelight
Early Music Magazine :
‘McCallum and Helyard are a formidable duo. There is a certain sense of unity and balance throughout this recording. Both pianists contribute to the seamless and effortless sound. The sense of ensemble that both performers possess engenders a musical dialogue that makes each work feel like a true collaboration.’
—Early Music Magazine