A. Piazzolla / M. Ravel / M. Infante: Rhythmic Journeys, Dances For Two Pianos – Bernardo Santos

This Da Vinci Classics album invites us to explore the repertoire inspired by dance and written (or arranged) for two pianos in the twentieth century. The album opens with transcriptions after some of the most beloved works by Astor Piazzolla, including Grand Tango, Milonga del Ángel, Soledad. It continues with the spectacular evocation of Viennese waltzes realised by Maurice Ravel (La Valse), whose composition had been prompted by Diaghilev but later dismissed by the choreographer. The itinerary continues with two suites by Manuel Infante, i.e. his Three Andalusian Dances and Musiques d’Espagne, all featuring a fascinating blend of folk music and the language of modern music. Together, these pieces showcase the expressive power of the piano duo, and its capacity to evoke the full palette of an orchestra.