France Revisited
Piano-a-Deux – Husband and wife team Robert and Linda Stoodley are an adventurous duo with a very wide range of repertoire from the pops to major classical works which they present to appreciative audiences all around the world, spending much time as recitalists on cruise ships.
This new album features a programme of French music, including Debussy’s well known Petite Suite and the superb First Sonata for Piano Duet by George Onslow, contemporary of the young Mozart and on this showing an equal in compositional skill. Add to that Poulenc’s ‘Songs of Love and War’ arranged by Linda into a new suite of pieces, and we have a very entertaining and instructive album beautifully played.
Track Listing
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George Onslow (1784-1853):Sonata for Piano Four Hands No. 1 in E minor, Op. 7
- I. Allegro espressivo
- II. Romanza
- III. Finale: Agitato George Onslow (1784-1853): Six pieces pour piano
- I. Andantino
- II. Andantino quasi allegretto
- III. Allegro con moto
- IV. Allegretto molto espressivo
- V. Allegretto cantabile
- VI. Andantino molto cantabile Claude Debussy (1862-1918): Petite Suite
- I. En Bateau
- II. Cortège
- III. Menuet
- IV. Ballet Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) arranged by Linda Ang Stoodley: Chansons de l'Amour et de la Guerre
- I. La Couronne (The Crown)
- II. "C" (The Bridges of Cé)
- III. Les Chemins del'Amour (The Pathways of Love)
- IV. Fêtes Galantes (Noble Celebrations)
- V. Violon (Violin)
- VI. Les Gars Polonais (The Polish Lads) – Fêtes Galantes (reprise)
Reviews
“Robert Stoodley and Linda Ang are clearly capable of filling the shoes of their predecessors [Goldstone & Clemmow] on Divine Art. I expect this to be the first in another long line of excellent piano duo recordings.
” —James Harrington
“The performance by the Stoodleys is spirited and energetic. Their linearity, elasticity, gracefulness, and blended tonal palette [provides] a winning performance. As a whole, playing that is lively, graceful, and shaped by tasteful, unexaggerated expressivity.
” —Daniel Morrison
“Piano à Deux’s new disc, France Revisited – Music by Onslow, Debussy and Poulenc – is an example of piano four hands performance at its very best.
” —Alex Baran
“An album we have played a number of times without being able to decide what its main attraction is: sprightly air, nice atmosphere… an engrossing and entertaining album. It’s all beautifully played.
” —Jeremy Condliffe
“The playing by Piano à Deux (made up of Robert and Linda Ang Stoodley) is excellent. They have chosen a vibrant and imaginative programme, and have succeeded in introducing the listener to two works by the unjustly neglected George Onslow.
” —John France
