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.

Some of the most often taught original piano literature by dozens of master composers of the past has been carefully selected and compiled by difficulty level. The Early Intermediate edition features 17 pieces by 15 composers, including: Anonymous (18th century): Minuet in G from The Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach · Johann Sebastian Bach: Gavotte II: La Musette from English Suite No. 6, BWV 811 · Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude in C Major from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1 · Béla Bartók: Three Pieces from For Children, Sz. 42 · Ludwig van Beethoven: Minuet in G Major, WoO 10, No. 2 · Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonatina No. 1 in G Major, Anh. 5, No. 1 · Anton Diabelli: Rondino · César Franck: The Doll's Complaint · George Frideric Handel: Sarabande from Suite in D minor, HWV 437 · Franz Joseph Haydn: German Dance in D Major, Hob. IX: 22, No. 2 · Friedrich Kuhlau: Scottish Dances Nos. 2, 3, 5 and 6 from Six Scottish Dances · Edward MacDowell: To a Wild Rose from Woodland Sketches · Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Minuet in G Major, K. 1 · Jean-Philippe Rameau: La tambourin · Franz Schubert: Waltz in A Major · Robert Schumann: Soldiers' March from Album for the Young · Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky: Italian Song from Album for the Young.

A large selection of Piano literature, from the baroque to the modern, is presented in a variety of forms, colours, and expressions. Included are pieces affording the student a greater opportunity to attain technical and pianistic effectiveness. The titles follow an approximately chronological sequence from the baroque to our modern period. All selections are in their original form, neither arranged, nor simplified, and are based on urtext or other highly reliable editions. / Piano