Concerto for 2 Pianos and Strings

Instrumentation

2 pianos and string orchestra

Other Information

Commissioned by the Bishop of Naples to celebrate the restoration of the Cathedral of Barletta, S.Italy. Piano parts written especially for the Duo Scaramouche. The Italian premiere has had to be postponed because of tragic earthquake damage to the restored cathedral. At the British premiere, in November 1997 in the Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham, and at the French premiere in March 1998 in the Salle Cortot, Paris, the Avison Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Steven Lloyd, accompanied the Duo Scaramouche.The first London performance by the same players took place at St.James, Piccadilly,
in August 1999. A video recording was made of this concert and is available from Lynwood Music.

´Appropriately, much of its thematic material derives from the close scalic nature of plainsong; rhythms and textures reflect the composer´s interest in World Music. Within these parameters the work strikes as another example of Downes´ craftsmanship.´
THE BIRMINGHAM POST