Stefan Wolpe's escape from Nazi Germany was fraught with uncertainty and danger. During the months following Hitler's rise to power Wolpe went into hiding, while completing one of his most compelling works- the March and Variations (1932-33), a work of Beethovenian power, scored for two pianos. The piece was largely been forgotten until Quattro Mani's revival of it, and their sensational premiere recording on Bridge's Music of Stefan Wolpe, Vol. 8. Wolpe's ballet score, The Man from Midian (1942) a work based on the Old Testament, is centered around the story of Moses, and is the other major work on this release. The virtuoso piano duo team, Quattro Mani (Susan Grace & Steven Beck), has worked with many of today's leading composers, and is devoted to the expansion of the repertoire for duo piano. QM's new Wolpe release is the duo's 14th album for Bridge Records.

Tracklist:

March & Variations, Op. 21
The Man From Midian (Version For 2 Pianos): No. 1, Overture [Portrait Of Moses]
The Man From Midian (Version For 2 Pianos): No. 2, Serfdom [Lamentation]
The Man From Midian (Version For 2 Pianos): No. 3, Mother Conceals Child
The Man From Midian (Version For 2 Pianos): No. 4, Pharoah's Daughter Bathes In The Nile, Finds The Baby
The Man From Midian (Version For 2 Pianos): No. 5, Procession
The Man From Midian (Version For 2 Pianos): No. 6, Pet Of The Court - Political Intrigue
The Man From Midian (Version For 2 Pianos): No. 7, Moses Among The Workers
The Man From Midian (Version For 2 Pianos): No. 8, Moses Buries The Taskmaster In The Sand
The Man From Midian (Version For 2 Pianos): No. 9, Conversation With God
The Man From Midian (Version For 2 Pianos): No. 10, Moses Meets Aaron - Command Of Moses For The Waters
The Man From Midian (Version For 2 Pianos): No. 11, March Through The Red Sea
The Man From Midian (Version For 2 Pianos): No. 12, Restlessness
The Man From Midian (Version For 2 Pianos): No. 13, Aaron's Desperation
The Man From Midian (Version For 2 Pianos): No. 14, Joshua's Pleading
The Man From Midian (Version For 2 Pianos): No. 15, Bacchanal
The Man From Midian (Version For 2 Pianos): No. 16, Return Of Moses - Breaking Of Tablets - Moses Falls On The Arm Of Joshua
The Man From Midian (Version For 2 Pianos): No. 17, Moses Walks Among The People, Commands Some To Be Killed
The Man From Midian (Version For 2 Pianos): No. 18, Gathering Of People
4 Studies On Basic Rows, Op. 23: No. 3. Presto Furioso
4 Studies On Basic Rows, Op. 23: No. 4. Passacaglia

UPC: 090404951626
Label: Bridge
Release Date: 4.5.19
Format: CD

Wolpe / Quattro Mani - Music for Two Pianos 8 (CD)