The Piano Duet -

An interesting feature of the piano duet, specifically "piano four-hands" (two players on one instrument), is its secret history as a 19th-century "social lubricant" and the primary way people "listened" to music before the invention of the phonograph. The "Social Lubricant" of the 19th Century

Because players must sit side-by-side, their elbows, knees, and hands frequently brush against or even cross over each other.

A charming suite originally written for the children of close friends to capture the magic of fairy tales.

The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche even suggested that piano duets were a divining rod for a good marriage , as they required a level of communication and synchronization that mirrored a successful partnership. The Original "MP3"

Originally written for four hands, these became so popular they are now more famous in their later orchestral versions.

Before recordings existed, piano duets were the only way for the average person to hear massive orchestral works like Beethoven’s symphonies at home.

Publishers churned out four-hand arrangements of almost every new orchestral or operatic work. These transcriptions often outsold the original full-orchestra scores.

The Piano Duet -

Because players must sit side-by-side, their elbows, knees, and hands frequently brush against or even cross over each other. The Piano Duet

A charming suite originally written for the children of close friends to capture the magic of fairy tales. An interesting feature of the piano duet, specifically

Originally written for four hands, these became so popular they are now more famous in their later orchestral versions.

Before recordings existed, piano duets were the only way for the average person to hear massive orchestral works like Beethoven’s symphonies at home.

Publishers churned out four-hand arrangements of almost every new orchestral or operatic work. These transcriptions often outsold the original full-orchestra scores.