Concerto no. 2 in c minor op. 18 for Piano and Orchestra. Par RACHMANINOV SERGEI. Rachmaninoff's legendary Opus 18, often lovingly referred to as Rach 2,” is for many the epitome of the Romantic piano concerto. Following its acclaimed premiere in Moscow in 1901, it proved to be a show-stopper around the globe, finally helping cement Rachmaninoff's international reputation as a composer. To this day, the concerto's enchanting themes and elegiac melodies in the strings are considered the trademark of Rachmaninoff, indeed, of Russian music in general. For the first Urtext edition of this pivotal work, we were able to examine the original autograph score in Moscow's Glinka Museum. Rachmaninoff's own sound recordings were also consulted. The newly prepared pianoreduction ensures good playability: it accords exactly with the also newly edited orchestral score and parts. Both of these are available from Breitkopf and Härtel. / Classique / Répertoire / Piano 4 Mains

Arrangeur: Mike Cornick. Par ELGAR EDWARD / CORNICK MIKE (ARR.). Although often regarded as quintessentially English in style, Elgar's music is undeniably deeply rooted in the German Romantic tradition. Elgar's gift for the creation of melody, often sequential and frequently including one of his most familiar 'fingerprints' - the falling seventh - might well be the most obvious attraction in his music. But underpinning those melodies is a sophisticated harmonic vocabulary which often reveals that wider Germanic influence, especially in moments of drama. It is hoped that this set of piano duet arrangements, suitable for intermediate-level players and beyond, will continue to bring new performers to these Elgar favourites, whether they are simply playing for their own enjoyment or preparing for concert performance, and that they will find much to reward their efforts./ Répertoire / Piano 4 Mains