I was intrigued by the idea of four-handed piano. I had heard it before, rarely, but this was up close and I was recording and the pianists were two Italians on their first tour to Australia. Of course there are four hands instead of two, 20 fingers instead of 10, so I could hear bigger sounds, more dense chords, moving melodies in different octaves, but also one finger can only play one note, so that's another rule. It's still a piano so that percussive tone but it is distinctly bigger in sound and complexity. They performers were Duo Mimesi, Federico treble and Gioia bass, but at least once an arm crossed when Gioia was playing full handed chords in the mid range and Federico reached over her busy arms. And of course the repertoire, too, is different, even if the composers are similar. In this case, Schubert variations and Lebenssturme, a Poulenc sonata and two dances from Rachmaninov and two Brahms walzes for an encore. This is not light music and played with certainty and a ghostly togetherness. It was interesting to see how they commenced a piece, one looking to the other or glances at hands, and to note that Gioia worked the pedal. They held their spots on the piano, although they spoke later of playing each other's parts and swapping on other pieces. But for this repertoire this was the share. This was a big sound with dense writing and forthright performance. Impressive and complex and not for the feint-hearted. And so great to meet some travelling musicians, especially from Rome. Lots to chat about.
Duo Mimesi performed four-handed piano at Wesley. DM are Federico Bucaioni and Gioia Barbera (piano).
