Work Overview

• Publication Year: 1938
• First Publisher: Max Eschig
• Instrumentation: 1 piano, 4 hands
• Total Performance Time: 9 minutes (30-60 seconds per piece)

This is the easiest of Tansman's educational four-hand piano duet works. It can be played without difficulty by learners from introductory to basic levels. Its subtitle is "Morceaux très faciles en grosses notes" (Very Easy Pieces in Large Notes). Japanese titles such as "Mama, Listen" are also seen. Except for the 10th piece, which uses the Lydian mode, it is written entirely in a diatonic style, featuring a series of romantic and approachable gems. The secondo part actively contributes to counterpoint beyond mere accompaniment, allowing players to experience the joy of ensemble playing. The difficulty levels of both parts are carefully balanced, and it can be considered a valuable introductory duet piece, possessing high artistic merit within its unpretentious and clear musical ideas. It would also be useful as sight-reading material for learners who have progressed to an advanced stage.

While the usefulness of this work has long been highly regarded, it seems that it is still not sufficiently widespread in educational settings. In addition to the lack of licensed editions in the US and Japan, Max Eschig's unique sales model of selling individual pieces is considered one of the factors that has hindered its dissemination. Given Eschig's recent trend of reprinting, a collected edition of this work will likely be released eventually. However, if you acquire all the pieces now, I believe you will immediately appreciate its ease of use in many situations, from daily lessons to recitals and concerts.

• No. 1 Christmas (Noël) Modéré (Moderately), 3/4 time, G major.
• No. 2 Solemn Air (Air solennel) Lent (Slow), 4/4 time, C major.
• No. 3 Reverie (Rêverie) Modéré (Moderately), 3/4 time, A minor.
• No. 4 Lullaby (Air à bercer) Lent (Slow), 4/4 time, G major.
• No. 5 Choral (Choral) Modéré (Moderately), 4/4 time, C major.
• No. 6 Waltz (Valse) Modéré (Moderately), 3/4 time, A minor.
• No. 7 Song (Chanson) Modéré (Moderately), 4/4 time, C major.
• No. 8 Arietta (Arietta) Modéré (Moderately), 3/4 time, A minor.
• No. 9 In Minuet Tempo (Tempo di minuetto) Allegretto, 3/4 time, G major.
• No. 10 Folk Song (Air populaire) Lent (Slow), 4/4 time, C major.
• No. 11 A Little Tale (Petit conte) Modéré (Moderately), 3/4 time, E minor.
• No. 12 Finale (Final) Décidé (Decisively), 4/4 time, C major.