Duets for Children

for piano duet

General Information – Instrumentation – Manuscript – Publication – Arrangements – Recordings

General Information:

1.   The Music Lesson [Andantino]
2.   The Three-Legged Race     [Vivo]
3.   The Silent Lake [Adagio]
4.   Pony Trap [Gaiamente]
5.   Ghosts [Largo]
6.   Hopscotch [Leggiero]
7.   Swing Boats [Giocoso deliberatamente]
8.   Song at Dusk [Larghetto]
9.   Puppet's Dance [Allegro]
     10.   Trumpet Tune [Alla Marcia]

Composition:  1940. Nine of the numbers originally existed in versions for piano solo, entitled Tunes for My Niece.

First Performance:  Unknown.

Duration:  About 14 minutes

Dedication:  "To Elizabeth and Michael", i.e. the children of Walton's brother, Noel.

C. Number:  C39

Instrumentation:

Piano, four hands

Manuscript:

Frederick R. Koch Collection. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Manuscript FRKF 624b. Titled "Duets for Children". Autograph score. 18 pages.

Publication:

Oxford University Press, 1940. Material available for purchase:

Duets for Children (complete)   Score ISBN 019 3683237  
William Walton Edition, Volume 20,
ed. Michael Aston		   Critical edition ISBN 019 3683180 Buy from SheetMusicPlus.com
Duets for Children, Book 1 1940 Score ISBN 019 3739127 Discontinued
Duets for Children, Book 2 1940 Score ISBN 019 3839135 Discontinued

Arrangements:

Recordings:

Pianists Year Compact Disc Timing
Richard Rodney Bennett, Carol Rosenberger 1990 Delos DE 6002 12'57"
Hamish Milne, Gretel Dowdeswell 1992 Chandos CHAN 9292 13'20"
Peter Lawson, Alan MacLean 1995 Albany 142  

WilliamWalton.net – Catalogue of Works – Keyboard Music