The Evelinde Trenkner/Sontraud Speidel Piano Duo has recorded numerous great symphonic works in piano versions for four hands for the MD&G label. The symbiotic team effort of these two pianists on a magnificent Steinway D of big symphonic sound (built in 1901) illuminates these masterful compositions in a new way.
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What do you give the Mahlerian who already has five (or twenty) recordings of each Symphony? Why, piano transcriptions – in this case of Symphonies One and Two, arranged by Mahler student Bruno Walter. The liner notes are onto something when they liken the effect of this music to seeing a three-dimensional building in a two-dimensional painting, except that the arrangement adds at least half a dimension of its own. Almost ten years after their terrific Mahler arrangement of Bruckner’s Third Symphony another essential collection of Mahler miscellany from the engaging, utterly musical Piano Duo Trenkner & Speidel!
