Twentieth-century British composers - Michael Aston

An attractive and varied collection of 20th-century piano duets by British composers. The album includes a reprint of Lambert's classic and witty work, 'Trois pices ngres, pour les touches blanches', as well as new arrangements of Walton's 'Popular Song' and Vaughan Williams's beautiful but little known 'The Lake in the Mountains'. This collection will be of interest to piano duettists everywhere and an ideal introduction to the medium forstudents.

Michael Aston held an Exhibition for music at Cambridge University. After a short career in the Civil Service, he moved to Leeds, in 1979, and began a career as a freelance musician. A pianist specializing in accompaniment and piano duos, he taught piano and became involved in continuing education, presenting courses for the universities of Manchester, Nottingham, and Cambridge. He is a lifelong enthusiast for the music of William Walton, and has lectured widely on
the subject and visited the Walton estate in Italy. He has written about Walton for Classical Music magazine and edited a volume of the William Walton Edition, published by Oxford University Press. He is the compiler of four volumes of piano duets published by OUP.

The pieces are written effectively for the medium, have interesting textures, and a range of styles from wistfully romantic to wittily sophisticated . . . A very lovely and patriotic duet book!

Val Cruickshank, EPTA Piano Professional, Jan 05

These beautifully prepared editions of attractive and varied works will be of interest to piano duettists everywhere. They are an ideal introduction to the medium for students and worthwhile repertoire for the more seasoned pianist. This series has something for every duet player.

Piano Professional, April 2019