TECHNIQUES AND INTERPRETATIONS OF TWO-PIANO LITERATURE IN CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES ON MODERN PIANO

Abstract

The objectives of the study are 1) to study and analyze two-piano techniques on a modern piano, 2) to present ways of interpretations for two-piano literature in contemporary perspectives, and 3) to create a two-piano performance concert on a modern piano which is different from keyboard instruments in the composers’ time. The researcher selected three distinct masterpieces for two pianos from three music periods. The pieces are as follows: from the Classical period, “Sonata for two pianos in D major, K448 (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)”, from the mid-Romantic period, “Variations on a Theme by Haydn Op. 56b (Johannes Brahms)”, and from the late Romantic period to the early twentieth century period, “Caprice mélancolique for two pianos (Reynaldo Hahn)”. The processes of the methodology are 1) analyzing piano techniques, 2) creating ways of two-piano interpretations, and 3) creating a two-piano concert and publishing a research article to the public. Research findings suggest that 1) the quality of analysis and interpretations with high academic musical skills is crucial for ways of piano playing practice and the creativity of using techniques on a modern piano, and 2) the creativity of using piano playing techniques for two pianos on a modern piano is impacted differently on music styles, sound and self-expression based on each individual pianist’s background knowledge, piano skills, and life experience. This research’s aesthetic experience of the two-piano performance has shown deeply understanding of interpretations with new approaches to two-piano playing techniques.