time and in ABA form. Features frequently changing meters and shifts between B-flat major and D major. Commissioned by the 1998 Kansas City Music Teachers Association Multi-Piano Concert.Vandall, Robert D., United States
Composer, teacher, clinician, and pianist. Degrees from Baldwin-Wallace College and the University of Illinois. Prolific composer of educational music for piano. Served on the faculties at Lincoln Land Community College and Mineral Area College.
Celebrated Piano Duets, Book 1
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 2005.
Six late elementary to early intermediate duets: Central Park Ride; Chanson; Hiking Song; On Our Way; Pirouette; Village Dance. Lyrical as well as spirited and rhythmically driven pieces are represented throughout this collection. Melodies are frequently passed between pianists. Both parts are of equal difficulty. A pianistically conceived and well-graded series.
Level: UE–LI
Celebrated Piano Duets, Book 2
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 2005.
Six late elementary duets: Bijou Rag; Gypsy Dance; Lyric Waltz; May Dance; Swirling Winds; Yankee Doodle Variations.
Level: UE–LI
Celebrated Piano Duets, Book 3
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 2005.
Seven early intermediate duets: Birch Tree Rag; Holiday Waltz; Irish Air; Marche Macabre; Moonlit Evening; Shadow Dance; The Water Is Wide.
Level: LI
Celebrated Piano Duets, Book 4
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 2005.
Five intermediate duets: Ballad; Fly with the Eagles; Joyous Sound; Power Play; Racing Wind.
Level: I
Celebrated Piano Duets, Book 5
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 2005.
Five intermediate to late intermediate duets: Brightwood Barn; Get-Up-and-Go; Jubilation!; Toccata for Two; Viva Vivaldi!
Level: I–UI
Celebration Overture
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 1989.
Jubliant and festive. Features scalar passagework, a rhythmic ostinato, and a contrasting lyrical B section.
Level: UI
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 1994, 2004.
Five-finger patterned. Contrasting articulation. Laidback, easygoing.
Level: E
Chanson
Myklas / Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 1984.
A plaintive, expressive duet in D minor. The left-hand melody with right-hand accompaniment on off-beats first appears in the primo then shifts briefly to the secondo.
Level: UE
Diamond Sonatina
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 1988.
In an overall key of C major, a three-movement sonatina in fast-slow-fast form. The middle movement is a minuet in A minor.
Level: LI
Emerald Sonatina
Myklas Music / Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 1988, 2004.
A three-movement sonatina in fast-slow-fast form. Features some shifts in meters. Secondo plays similar accompaniment patterns in each movement. Pattern-oriented.
Level: LI
Exclamations
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 1997.
In time and in ABA form. Features frequently changing meters and shifts between B-flat major and D major. Commissioned by the 1998 Kansas City Music Teachers Association Multi-Piano Concert.
Level: I
Fanfare Celebration
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 2010.
Festive and jubilant. Showcases a soaring melody and blocked and broken chords. As is the case in most of Vandall’s duets, both parts are equal and have the opportunity to play the melody. Commissioned by the Madison Area Piano Teachers Association’s 2010 Piano PlayTogether.
Level: I
Festival Suite
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 1984, 2004.
A three-movement suite in fast-slow-fast order with movement titles: I. Getting Started; II. Intermezzo; III. Happy Ending. The performers must cross hands throughout the middle movement. Composed for the Ohio Music Teachers Association 1985 All-Ohio Piano Ensemble Festival.
Level: LI
Festival Toccata
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 2010.
Filled with rhythmic energy and syncopation. The primo plays quickly moving open fifths and fouths in parallel motion. Commissioned by the Burlington Branch of the Vermont Music Teachers Association for their 2010 Monster Concert.
Level: UI
Fly with the Eagles
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 2004.
Soaring, lyrical melodies and lush harmonies are hallmarks of this ballad in C major. Composed for the 2004 All-Ohio Piano Ensemble.
Level: I
Get-Up-and-Go
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 1994.
Bright and joyful. In D major. Features syncopated rhythms and frequent key changes.
Level: I
Getting Started
Myklas Music / Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 1984; published in Contest Winners for Two, Book 4.
Used as the first movement in Festival Suite. Composed for the Ohio Music Teachers Association 1985 All-Ohio Piano Ensemble Festival.
Level: I
Go for It!
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 2014.
Fast and determined. Features syncopated rhythms. A staccato chordal accompaniment creates a sense of drive. Commissioned by the Newton (Kansas) Music Teachers Association.
Level: LI
Gypsy Dance
Myklas Music / Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 2003.
A highly-patterned, driving dance in A minor and 
time.
Level: I
Hiking Song
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 1984.
A lively tune in C major.
Level: LI
Irish Air
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 2000.
A harmonically rich and expressive setting of this Irish folk tune. Engaging dialogue between parts.
Level: LI
Joyous Sound
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 2002, 2004.
Jubilant and festive. Rhythmically driven and harmonically rich. Contains frequent shifts between and 
meters. In F major with expressive contrasting lyrical section in C major.
Level: I
Jubilation
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 1986.
Abounding in rhythmic vitality, this electric toccata in D minor contains alternating repeated notes between the hands.
Level: UI
Lazy Day Blues
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 1984; also published in Contest Winners for Two, Book 3.
Features swung eighths and savory blues harmonies.
Level: LI
Lyrical Waltz
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 1995.
A lyrical, expressive waltz in F major. Features arpeggiated chords between the hands.
Level: I
Oakton Toccata
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 2007.
Fast and with flair. Features blocked and broken chordal accompaniments with fast sixteenth-note scalar melodic passagework. Commissioned by the Oakton Six Piano Ensemble.
Level: UI
Ostinato Barbaro
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 2006.
A crackling, rhythmically driven work that is brimming with volcanic energy and power. The modal feel with intervals of fourths, fifths, and octaves generates an explosive, virtuosic showpiece at the intermediate level. The rhythmic ostinato pattern creates a primal feel. A highly effective work that is exhilarating for performers and audience alike. Commissioned by the 2006 Goshen College Piano Workshop.
Level: I–UI
Power Play
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 1988.
Rhythmically conceived and highly energetic. Features syncopation and frequent meter changes. Undergirded by a driving quarter note pulse. Highly effective writing.
Level: I
Racing the Wind
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 1995.
A fast and thrilling tarantella-like work in A minor.
Level: I
Remember When
Myklas Music / Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 1990; published in Contest Winners for Two, Book 5.
Nineteen fifties rock ’n’ roll style. In with repeated chordal accompaniment. Fast ascending and descending triad sequences and octaves.
Level: UI
Saturday Night Hoedown
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 2011.
A carefree, toe-tapping romp that showcases syncopated rhythms, open fifths, and rapid alternating sixteenths between the hands. Two-note slur groups, accents, and staccatos present a study in articulation.
Level: I
Seven Canon Duets
Florence, KY: Willis Music, 1982.
A set of seven canons at each interval, unison through seventh. A variety of keys, time signatures, and styles are represented.
Level: I
So Suite
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 1989.
A three-movement suite in fast-slow-fast form: I. Prelude; II. Song; III. Tarantella. The outer movements present much rhythmic vitality, while the slow middle movement offers lush harmonies.
Level: LI
Sparklers
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 1998.
Brilliant and buoyant in cut time. Commissioned by the 1998 Goshen College Piano Workshop.
Level: LI
Terpsichore (Greek Muse of Dancing)
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 1993.
Adapted from Jean Phillippe Rameau’s Tambourine I and II from “Dardanus.” Light and bouyant.
Level: LI–I
Textures
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 2004.
A slow, dramatic introduction gives way to a playful and buoyant contrasting section. A variety of textures and articulations are explored. Composed for the 1990 University of Illinois Piano Festival.
Level: I
The Musician’s Life (A Concert Rag)
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 2012.
Commissioned by the Tuscarawas County Ohio Music Teachers Association Ensemble Festival, April 2013. In G major, this duet features quintessential ragtime style elements. Secondo plays left hand octaves throughout.
Level: UI
Three Waltzes
Myklas Music / Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 1985; published in Contest Winners for Two, Book 5.
I. Grazioso (F); II. Moderato, espressivo e rubato (a); III. Vivace (C).
Level: UI
Toccata for Two
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 1979.
A crackling toccata showpiece. A study in articulation. Rhythmically driven.
Level: UI
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 1991.
A three-movement work in fast-slow(er)-fast form: I. Allegro moderato; II. Allegretto; III. Allegro. The graceful second movement is followed by a fast finale that showcases cross-hand arpeggios and alternating eighth-note figures.
Level: I
Tucson Toccata
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 2012.
Commissioned by the Tucson Music Teachers Association for their Sixtieth Anniversary Piano Ensemble Concert, March 2013. Packed with rhythmic energy and soaring lyricism, this electric duet features blocked (often alternating between hands) and broken chordal accompaniments that generate dashing rhythmic brilliance.
Level: I
Turn It On!
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music.
A driving, steady quarter note pulse pervades throughout, punctuated with syncopation. A study in chordal textures.
Level: LI
Turquoise Skies
Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 2006.
Lyrical, gliding melody. Features both blocked and broken chordal accompaniment patterns and a syncopated B section. The lyrical and rhythmic ideas are blended at the end. Commissioned by the Phoenix Music Teachers’ Association 2007 Piano Ensemble.
Level: LI
Viva Vivaldi!
Myklas Music / Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 2001.
Sparkling, brilliant work in D major. An homage to Vivaldi and the Baroque style, this duet features quick sixteenth note melody material in parallel motion.
Level: I
Vanegas, Roy (b. 1971), United States
Composer, computer programmer, and teacher.
The Dedication
Noise Floor Music, 2007.
A melodic minor. Slow and solemn.
Level: UI
Vaňhal, Jan Křtitel (Johann Baptist) (1739–1813), Czech Republic
Czech composer of the Viennese School, contemporary of Haydn and Mozart. His four-hand music, written in skilled Classical style, is light, flowing, and tuneful. Most of his piano duets, however, have long been out of print, but because of their charm, melodic appeal, and clarity of expression as well as their practical value as pedagogical material, many of these fine works deserve to be republished. In the absence of a comprehensive thematic index of the music of Vaňhal, the following compilation of his four-hand works has been assembled from a variety of sources: library catalogues, general and national encyclopedias, late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century publisher’s catalogues, and a dissertation by Margerethe von Dewitz, “Jean Baptiste Vanhal, Leben and Klavierwerke,” Ludwig Maximilians Universität, Munich, 1933. An examination of Vaňhal’s music in several American libraries and of photocopies of similar material from European libraries aided in the accurate identification of a number of doubtful works and facilitated the classification of many others. The composer’s fifteen four-hand works are listed in roughly chronological order of publication.
24 Little Duets
Ruf, Hugo, ed. Mainz: Schott, 1809, 1999.
Dedicated to Charlotte, Princess of Wales. First published in London in 1809 by M. Hindmarsch. This edition is based on a copy of the first English impression. Often only a single page or two at most, these short, pleasant pieces are excellent for teaching the nuances of the Classical style.
Level: I-LI/I-LI
Andantino in F Major
Jurgen Knuth.
Divertimento, avec accompagnement de flûte, violon, et vlcelle ad lib. (E♭)
Vienna: Hoffmeister, ca. 1785.
I. Allegro (E♭); II. Adagio (c); III. Allegro (E♭).
Level: LI
2 Sonates (F, A), Op. 32/1 and 2
Vienna: Artaria, 1785.
No. 1: I. Allegro moderato (F); II. Adagio-Andante (F); III. Allegretto (F).
No. 2: I. Adagio alla Francese (A); II. Variazioni alla Italian, thema: Andante moderato (A); III. Rondo alla Tedesca (A).
Level: I
Sonata [without opus number] per it clavicembalo o fortepiano (B♭)
Vienna: Hoffmeister, ca. 1787.
I. Allegro (B♭); II. Adagio (F); III. Allegretto (B♭).
Level: LI
Une sonate très facile (C), Op. 64
Vienna: Kozeluch, 1799; New Edition, (Sonata, Op. 64 complete) Nos. 8, 9, and 10 in Kleinová, Fišerová, and Müllerová, eds., Album of Four Hand Compositions by Old Czech Masters.
I. Allegretto (C); II. Adagio (F); III. Allegro (C).
Level: LI
2 Sonates (sonatines) (C, F), Op. 46
Mainz: Schott, ca. 1800.
No. 1: I. Allegretto (C); II. Adagio (F); III. Allegro (C). No. 2: I. Andante, Allegro moderato (F); II. Tempo di menuetto, moderato (F); III. Allegro (F).
Level: UE–LI
Vienna: Kozeluch, 1802; New Edition, (Op. 65/iii [Allegro]) No. 6 in Kleinová, Fišerová, and Müllerová, eds., Album of Four Hand Compositions by Old Czech Masters.
I. Adagio (F); II. Allegro moderato (F); III. Allegro (F).
Level: LI
3 Sonatines (F, C, B♭), Op. 8
Hamburg: Böhme, ca. 1804; New Edition, (Op. 8/2/ii [Adagio in F]) No. 7 in Kleinová, Fišerová, and Müllerová, eds. Album of Four Hand compositions by old Czech masters.
No. 1: I. Adagio (F); II. Andante (B♭); III. Allegro (F). No. 2: I. Adagio—Allegro (C); II. Adagio (F); III. Allegro (C). No. 3: I. Andante (B♭); II. Andante molto (E♭); III. Allegro (B♭).
Level: UE–LI
Three Easy Sonatinas
Weekley, Dallas, and Arganbright, Nancy, eds. San Diego: Neil A. Kjos Music, 2003.
Level: LI–UI
[13] Pièces agréables (Vol. 1: C, C, F, C, C, C, C; Vol. 2: F, C, C, C, F, C)
Rotterdam: Plattner, ca. 1805; other editions published as Petites Pièces; Kurze und leichte Clavier Stücke; Duettini; and 12 Drobnyck Skladbcek; New Edition, Nos. 3, 4, and 8 in Kleinová, Fišerová, and Müllerová, eds., Album of Four Hand Compositions by Old Czech Masters.
Level: UE–LI
3 Neue Sonaten, sehr leicht (—, F, B♭) [without opus number]
Vienna: Cappi, 1805.
No. 1 missing. No. 2: I. Adagio (F); II. Allegretto (F); III. Allegretto (F). No. 3: I. Allegro moderato (B♭); II. Andante sostenuto (B♭); III. Allegretto (B♭).
Level: LI
6 Leichte deutsche Tänze (C, F, B♭, G, E♭, C)
Vienna: Cappi, 1806; Other editions published as Six walses; Six walses faciles; Six pièces; and Six pièces faciles. New Edition (No. 1 [C]), No. 4 in Album of Four Hand Compositions by Old Czech Masters.
Level: UE–LI
6 Danses hongroises (C, F, B♭, G, D, A)
Vienna: Cappi, 1807.
Also as 6 Ländlerische Tänze.
Level: UE–LI
6 Menuetten und 6 Ländler (C, F, B♭, G, D, A, —)
Vienna: Cappi, ca. 1809, Menuetten only; Ländler missing.
Level: UE–LI
3 Sonatines faciles (C, G, D) [without opus number]
Offenbach: André, ca. 1810.
No. 1: I. Adagio-Allegretto (C); II. Andante sostenuto (F); III. Allegro (C).
No. 2: I. Adagio-Allegretto (G); II. Polonaise (G); III. Allegretto (G). No. 3: I. Allegro moderato (D); II. Andante alla (D); I. Allegretto (D).
Level: UE–LI
6 Leichte Stücke (G, C, F, C, G, D)
New Edition, Frickert, Walter, ed. Kassel: Bärenreiter, 1966.
Level: UE–LI
8 Petites pièces faciles
Publisher and date missing; manuscript (Ex Rebus Theresia Edla von Fritsch).
I. Alla tedesca (C); II. Marcia vivace (C); III. Allegretto (C); IV. Allegretto (F); V. Polonaise (F); VI. Allegretto (F); VII. Cantabile (B♭); VIII. missing.
Unidentified or only partially identified works:
Rondo (C)
Manuscript.
Sonata a quattro mani per it clavicembalo o Fortepiano
Manuscript copie de l’edition de Hoffmeister à Vienna.
Sonata à quatro mani per il clavicembalo o fortepiano
Vienna: Hoffmeister, ca. 1790.
Due Sonate auf vier Hände pro Piano Forte
Manuscript (Josepha Pinsker, 1833).
This handwritten collection of three sonatas and one sonatina is introduced on the title page by the multilingual heading together with the name of the owner (also the copyist?) and the date. Below the title and in a much later hand is scribbled the name “Wanhal,” suggesting that he may have been the composer of the entire collection. However, the copyist has identified only the fourth work as a Vaňhal composition, “Sonata a quatro mani von Wanhal” (identical with the Sonata [F], Op. 65, in the above list). The three other pieces—Sonata Ia: Rondo andante (C); Sonata IIda: Allegro (C), Cantabile, Andante (B♭); and Sonatina: Allegretto molto (C)—remain anonymous and do not correspond to any other Vaňhal works encountered in the present study.
Sonata (F)
Sonate brillante
Vienna: Artaria, 1812.
Due sonate per cembalo
Manuscript.
Sonatine (C)
Bonn: Simrock, ca. 1813.
Sonatine (F)
Bonn: Simrock, ca. 1814.
3 Sonatinas, No. III
Offenbach: André, ca. 1818.
Suite des sonatines (I and II) à l’usage des commençans
Vienna: Mollo, ca. 1808.
Van Hoorick, Geert (b. 1968), Belgium
Sonata for Piano Four Hands, Op. 32
Geert Van Hoorick.
A three-movement sonata: Intrada; II. Air & Scherzetto; III. Hallelujah.
Level: A
Van Slyck, Nicholas (1922–1983)
With Twenty Fingers (1970–1971), Books 1, 2, and 3
Hastings-on-Hudson, NY: General Music Publishing, 1973.
Forty-five delightful pieces, varying in length from five measures to two pages. They sparkle with wit and are attractively set in a contemporary, tonal, linear style with rhythmic vitality and structural interest. Various contrapuntal exercises are exploited, especially canon, and the pieces maintain a light and buoyant character throughout.
Book 1: Hello Dance—A; Hello Dance—B (with more advanced secondo); Resting (very short); Sheep (folk tune with chordal accompaniment); Waltz; Lines and Spaces (short with chromatic secondo part); Ties (sustained, tied notes over bar lines); Canonball (simple canon between partners); Sheep Not (folklike melody with accompaniment); Chorale (with double thirds in accompaniment); Compass Points; Hopping (bright melody with syncopated secondo part in seconds); Folk Tale (melody in canon between parts); Classic Way; Dance Tune (bright, rhythmical); Close Quarters (hands play close together).
Level: UE–LI/E–UE
Book 2: Rainbow; Ties and Dotted Notes; Mirror; Mirror (second version); Scherzo (bright and fast); See-Saw (canon at the fourth); Herbs and Spices; Hommage à Béla Bartók (dissonant, rapid sixteenth notes); Strolling (changing meters; amiable melody and accompaniment); River Tune (smooth-flowing melody with arpeggiated accompaniment); Quasars (mysterious mood piece; slow moving); Ox-cart (heavy, plodding piece with canon at the lower fifth); Old Fashion (rippling waltz); Pitter-Patter (fast, repeated two-note patterns); Christmas Ground (ostinato).
Level: UE–LI
Book 3: Out of the Mist (Impressionistic tone picture); Double Trouble (rhythmical melody in canon at the second); Chord Study (slow, deliberate, imitative); Gavotte (graceful melody with duolets and triplets); Idea Exchange (scalar melody with imitation); Icebergs (slow, sustained, dissonant); Five by Five (exercise in 
time); Copy Cat (melody treated canonically, with augmentation); Ancient History (free recitative with faster middle section); Chase (Presto with repeated notes); Reflections (placid, slow-moving mirror canon); Night-ride (fast; exercise in repeated notes and alternating notes between the hands); Pieces of Eight (rhythmic study emphasizing alternating groupings of two and three eighth notes); Journey’s End (Fughetta, chromatic, four-voice fugue).
Level: LI–I
Vargas, G.
A Garden Dance
New York: Sam Fox, n.d.
Vasseur, Henry (1886–1945)
En vacances, mite enfantine, six pièces
Paris: Rouart, 1938.
Rumba
London: Ashdown, 1977.
Bright, strongly rhythmical dance in popular style.
Level: LI–I
Vellones, Pierre (Rousseau) (1889–1939)
Une aventure de Babar (Lududu joue de la flûte douce; Entrée et grand air d’Adrienne l’autruche; Berceuse du pays natal; Pastorale du centaure; Le lever du jour; Le temple de la justice; Marche de la reconciliation)
Paris: Lemoine, 1947.
Short, pleasing, descriptive pieces from the tale of Babar the Elephant.
Level: UE–LI
Invitation à la musique
Paris: Eschig, 1938.
Veretti, Antonio (1900–1978), Italy
Italian composer; his musical style reflects influences from jazz to serial techniques.
Passepied I e II
In Album di Musica Modern, vol. 2.
Verhaar, Ary (1900–1994), Netherlands
Dutch composer of orchestral and chamber music, piano pieces, and works for school chorus.
Ballade, Ritornel en Rondel, Op. 37
Amsterdam: Donemus, 1948.
Verne, Mary
Duets on Four Brazilian Songs (Vita; O Ceolinho; Dorme, Nenê; Na Bahia, Tem)
New York: Lee Roberts, 1972.
Attractive folk song arrangements.
Level: E
Vidal, Paul (1863–1931), France
Composer, conductor, and teacher. Studied with Jules Massenet. Won the Prix de Rome in 1883.
Sur l’eau
Paris: Armand Colin, 1893.
In G minor.
Level: UI
Vieru, Anatol (1926–1998), Romania
Romanian conductor, teacher, and composer; studied with Khachaturian. He wrote orchestral, choral, chamber, and piano works; concertos; and electronic compositions.
The Birth of a Language (1971)
Commissioned by Milton and Peggy Salkind.
Viguerie, Bernard (1761–1819), France
Six sonates
Paris: Published by composer, n.d.
Vilbac, Renaud de (1829–1884), France
Pianist, organist, and composer. Studied at the Paris Conservatoire. Won the Prix de Rome in 1844.
Beautes de Coppelia
Paris: Heugel, 1885.
Suite based on the ballet by Leo Delibes.
Level: UI–LA
Bouquet de melodies su “La Mascotte”
Paris: Choudens, 1881.
Two suites.
Level: I
Vil’koreiskaia, T.
Kazach’ia (Cossack Girl)
In Agafonnikov, N., ed., Sbornik fortepiannikh.
Level: UE–LI
Villa-Lobos, Heitor (1887–1959), Brazil
Prolific Brazilian composer of over 2,000 works. His compositions demonstrate influences of both Brazilian folk music as well as European Classical style.
A folia de um blóco infantil (Play-Block Frolic), No. 8, in Carnaval das Crianças (Children’s Carnival)
Rio de Janeiro: Arthur Napoleão, n.d.
Brilliant, rhythmically exciting piece; probably the composer’s only composition for piano four hands.
Level: UI–LA
Vine, Carl (b. 1954), Australia
Celebrated Australian composer and pianist. Studied physics and composition at the University of Western Australia. His catalogue includes seven symphonies and ten concertos. He has served as Senior Lecturer in Composition at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Sonata for Piano Four Hands
London: Faber Music, 2009.
A five-section, virtuosic work performed without pause. About the work, the composer writes: “The extended, heavily rhythmic Prelude opens with a declamatory introduction revolving around a sequence of 16-note chords which, in just two bars, sound 65 of the 88 notes on the keyboard. This leads to a gentle Waltz demanding great flexibility and sensitivity from the players. The central section, Deuces, methodically explores the 6 unique (non-directional) pairings of 4 hands: 1–2, 1–3, 1–4, 2–3, 2–4 and 3–4. Each pair shares, in turn, a leading melody while the remaining two hands provide mellifluous interlinking accompaniments. The pairings evolve into a short, energetic bridge passage that falls precipitously to a reflective Meditation luxuriating in the sonorous resonance of a piano keyboard caressed by 20 fingers. This is succeeded by a fast-paced Toccata in triplet rhythms that progresses to a pounding finale. It is ‘pure’ music with no specific accompanying narrative or poetic allusion.” Approximate performance duration: twenty-three minutes.
Level: A
Violette, Andrew (b. 1953), United States
Composer and pianist. Romantic style with minimalist tendencies. Studied with Roger Sessions and Elliott Carter at the Juilliard School of Music.
Amor dammi quel fazzolettino
Manuscript, 1976.
Frequently changing meters.
Level: LA
Vitlin, Viktor
V tsirke (At the Circus)
In Agafonnikov, N., ed., Sbornik fortepiannikh.
Level: UE–LI
Vlahek, Bruno (b. 1986), Croatia
Pianist and composer. Studied with Vladimir Krpan at the Zagreb Academy of Music as one of the youngest students in the history of the institution. Received soloist diploma from the Conservatoire de Lausanne as a student of Jean-Francois Antonioli and a master’s degree from the Hochschule fur Musik Koln where he studied piano with Vassily Lobanov and composition and improvisation with Tilman Claus and Johannes Fritsch. Has composed orchestral, choral, chamber, and solo works for a wide variety of genres.
Variations on a Croatian Folk Theme, Op. 38
Manuscript, Bruno Vlahek, 2013.
A winsome set of variations on a Croatian folk tune. The L’istesso tempo variation is in a jazz style.
Level: LA
Vogler, Georg Joseph (1749–1814), Germany
German pianist, organist, teacher, and music theorist; composed prolifically in all forms. He was also a priest and was idealized by Robert Browning in the poem “Abt Vogler.”
Concerto for Piano Four Hands and Orchestra, 1794
Publisher and date missing.
Sonata
Paris: Boyer, 1785.
Vogler, Johann Baptist (fl. late eighteenth and early nineteenth century)
12 Oberösterreichische Ländler (E♭, E♭, E♭, B♭, E♭, A♭, E♭, E♭, G, G, D, D)
Vienna: Eder, 179[?].
Series of Ländler similar to Schubert’s in structure, but more restricted harmonically and melodically; naive and fresh charm.
Level: UE–LI
3 Tempostücke für Anfänger, No. 1
Vienna: Eder, 1816.
Vogt, Janet, United States
Composer, pianist, and teacher. Degrees from the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati.
Knights and Dragons Duet Suite
Dayton, OH: Heritage Music Press, 2000.
A three-movement suite: I. Fanfare; II. The Knights Meet the Dragon; III. The Jousting Knights. Some extensions and contractions of the hands as well as position shifts.
Level: E–UE
Vogt, Jean (1823–1888), Germany
German teacher, concert pianist, and composer; wrote an oratorio, chamber music, and piano works.
Tscherkessen-Lied, charakteristisches Tonstück, Op. 152
Berlin: Schlesinger, 1884.
Vol’fenson, Sergey
Soviet musician.
Krakoviak
In Agafonnikov, N., ed., Sbornik fortepiannikh.
Level: UE–LI
Volkart, Hazel
A Cruise on the River (Smooth Sailing; Fun on Deck; Stormy Voyage; Homeward Bound)
New York: Mills, 1959.
Instructional pieces.
Level: UE–LI
Riding Along
New York: Mills, 1959.
Show, lazy cowboy tune in traditional style.
Level: UE–LI
Volkart-Schläger, Käthe (1897–1976)
Mohrentanz und Mummenschanz, Tänze
Mainz: Schott, ca. 1960.
Attractive dances in traditional style.
Level: UE–LI/E
Der Spielgarten, 14 leichte Stücke
Mainz: Schott, 1941.
Charming instructional pieces.
Level: UE
Zu zweit mehr Freud; kleine Stücke zum Anfang, 2 vols.
Heidelberg: Willy MüIler (Süddeutscher Musikverlag), 1939.
Level, vol. 1: E–UE
Level, vol. 2: UE–LI
Volkman, Robert (1815–1883), Germany
German teacher; composed orchestral, chamber, and many piano works in Romantic style.
Hungarian Sketches (Ungarische Skizzen; Esquisses hongroises), Op. 24
Budapest: Rózsavölgyi, 1861; Leipzig: Peters, n.d.; London: Augener; Paris: Hamelle, n.d.
Graceful, fluent suite of seven pieces in pleasant style; Hungarian folk song influence.
Level: I
3 Märsche (E♭, C, f), Op. 40
Budapest: Heckenast, ca. 1860; London: Augener, n.d.
Level: I–UI
Musikalisches Bilderbuch, 6 Stücke, Op. 11
Budapest: Rózsavölgyi, 1852.
Charming gems, imaginatively set; excellent study pieces.
Level: LI–I
Rondino & Marsch-Caprice, Op. 55
Budapest: Heckenast, 1867.
Level: I
3 Serenades, Opp. 62, 63, and 69
Leipzig: VEB Peters, n.d.
Level: I–UI
Sonatine (G), Op. 57
Mainz: Schott, 1868.
Melodious, well-constructed three-movement work in flowing Schumannesque style.
Level: I
Die Tageszeiten (La journée), 12 Klavierstücke, Op. 39
Mainz: Schott, 1915; Paris: Hamelle, n.d.
Graceful, descriptive pieces.
Level: I
Visegrád, 12 musikalische Dichtungen, Op. 21
Budapest/Leipzig: Rózsavölgyi, n.d.; Vienna: Universal Edition, ca. 1908; London: Augener, n.d.; Leipzig: Peters.
Tastefully fashioned suite of tone pictures.
Level: I
Vorlová, Sláva (1894–1973), Czech Republic
Czech teacher and composer of cantatas, symphonic and chamber music, concertos, choruses, songs, folk song arrangements, and piano pieces.
Happy Intervals, Op. 54
Prague: Panton, 1965; Hastings-on-Hudson: General Music.
This series of eight pieces, written as interval studies, has exceptional musical and pedagogical merit and displays masterly compositional skill as well. Although limiting herself to the use of one specified interval in both the primo and secondo parts throughout each piece, Vorlová succeeds in producing compositions of charm and vitality. Musical interest is also sustained by the carefully balanced activity between the parts.
Level: I
Voss, Charles (1815–1882), Germany
Pianist and composer.
Les adieux du soldat: Grand Marche, Op. 159
Glendale, NY: C. F. Peters, 1853.
Level: UI–LA
Vuataz, Roger (1898–1988), Switzerland
Swiss organist, conductor, and composer. His works include oratorios, songs, piano pieces, chamber music, and orchestral works.
Les cloches, Op. 47/4 (1935)
Vuillemin, Louis (1879–1929), France
French music critic, composer, and musicologist. His style was influenced by Breton folk music.
3 Bluettes faciles
Paris: Durand, n.d.
Level: UE–LI
Cantilene
Paris: Pierre Lafitte, 1911.
Level: I
Intermezzo
Paris: Pierre Lafitte, 1908.
Charming work in G major.
Level: I
Pour se distraire
Paris: Lemoine, ca. 1908.
Level: UE–LI