IMSLP Forums

Looking for recommendations for good four-hands pieces that are accessible to beginning and early intermediate piano students in their original form, not in arrangements. Difficulty level comparable to Suzuki Piano School books 1 and 2 (from Twinkle Twinkle through the familiar Bach minuets.)

I've found Bartok's Mikrokosmos series very useful, but would love to have more high-quality duet repertoire. I do have some of the Alfred books but they're really not great.

One piano or two pianos is fine.

thanks!
Heather

Brahms Waltzes and liebeslieder Waltzes
Beethoven Sonata Op.6
Schubert Marches, Op. 103 fantasy, "Lebensturme", grand Duo
Mozart in general
Faure Dolly
Beethoven Symphonies arr.
Bach Brandenburg Concerit arr. Reger

Thanks Perlnerd. Do you have an arranger in mind for the Beeth. symphonies? I haven't seen a 4 hands arrangement of them.
(and I'll look on IMSLP when maintenance is over)
Heather

The one that dover reprinted is a peters issue. I think it's someone like Singer or Horn.

I think perl's suggestions are good but I don't think any of the pieces mentioned are suitable for beginners. Some that I know, like the Brahms waltzes, are not even easy for intermediate students if read in the original keys. Unfortunately, there's not much 4-hand stuff that I know of composed by major composers for beginning-level students (where is Schumann when you need him?). There's so much more available for 2-hand playing. Nonetheless, you might also try these, all available at IMSLP:

Bizet: Jeux d'enfants
Ravel: Ma mère l'oye (some movements are much easier than others)
Debussy: La Boîte à Joujoux (a good, Debussy-era 4-hand arrangement)

My favorite 4-hand music of all time are the two sets of Dvorak's Slavonic Dances, but some of them would be tough going for even intermediate pianists, especially if taken at full speed.

--Sixtus

Walton wrote ten little pieces for piano duet for beginning pianists which are pretty clever (Duets for Children).

Thanks Sbeckmesser and Panda.
By the way, I'm not necessarily looking for music by "major composers".... but it does need to be good quality music.
I will check out your suggestions.
Heather