Ludmila Berlinskaya & Arthur Ancelle - B Like Britain (2019) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

The new album recorded by the piano duo of Ludmila Berlinskaya and Arthur Ancelle on the Melodiya label is dedicated to English music of the 20th century. This is the third release in the series “Two pianos Originals Project” presented by Ludmila Berlinskaya and Arthur Ancelle on Melodiya. Since 2011 the tandem of two remarkable pianists has captured the listeners’ hearts in Russia, Europe and Asia. Their joint performances and recordings have received international prizes and been acclaimed by music critics. If the first two releases were dedicated to original compositions in the genre of piano duet of Russian and French composers, this time the duo suggests to listeners to make a journey through Albion. The name of the album “B” like Britain ingeniously plays with the fact that the names of all composers begin with the same letter and all of them belong to British musical culture. The representatives of the so-called “English Musical Renaissance” Arnold Bax and York Bowen, a renowned classic of the twentieth century music Benjamin Britten, and a three-time Oscar nominee Richard Rodney Bennett with his combination of jazz and post-war avant-garde experiments – this is how the musicians see a half-century profile of British musical culture in the mirror of the genre of piano duet. The most demanding gourmets and a broader circle of classical music lovers alike will enjoy this surprise and paradoxical programme.

Tracklist:
01. Hardanger
02. The Poisoned Fountain
03. Moy Mell
04. Two Pieces, Op. 23: I. Introduction and Rondo alla Burlesca
05. Two Pieces, Op. 23: II. Mazurka Elegiaca
06. Theme and Variations for Two Pianos, Op. 139: Theme
07. Theme and Variations for Two Pianos, Op. 139: Variation I
08. Theme and Variations for Two Pianos, Op. 139: Variation II
09. Theme and Variations for Two Pianos, Op. 139: Variation III
10. Theme and Variations for Two Pianos, Op. 139: Variation IV
11. Theme and Variations for Two Pianos, Op. 139: Variation V
12. Theme and Variations for Two Pianos, Op. 139: Variation VI
13. Theme and Variations for Two Pianos, Op. 139: Variation VII
14. Theme and Variations for Two Pianos, Op. 139: Variation VIII
15. Theme and Variations for Two Pianos, Op. 139: Interlude
16. Theme and Variations for Two Pianos, Op. 139: Variation IX-Finale
17. Divertimento for Two Pianos: Samba Triste
18. Divertimento for Two Pianos: Country Blues
19. Divertimento for Two Pianos: Ragtime Waltz
20. Divertimento for Two Pianos: Finale