Derby Piano Quartet
The Performers Booking Information Example Repertoire
In a beautiful escape from the ‘loneliness’ of the pianist the Derby Piano Quartet was founded in 2001 by Beate Toyka. Four pianists - Gillian Bithel, Peter Gould, Richard Hodges and Beate - have met regularly and explored the strange and wonderful repertoire of music for 8 hands on 2 pianos. Nurturing the sense of fun in playing together they haven’t looked back and are now an established ensemble in Derbyshire and beyond.
The Quartet play many pieces written especially for this combination of musicians but also include arrangements, some their own. They are constantly seeking out new and innovative additions to their repertoire.
Their all-time most popular concert is entitled Piano Music from 1 to 8 hands and is precisely that. Gradually it builds up, from the hauntingly beautiful Scriabin Nocturne for the left hand alone to a vivacious medley of pieces from Gershwin’s ’Porgy and Bess’!
At one stage the audience too gets involved and is asked to provide a 7th hand!
The Derby Piano Quartet is one of the few ensembles worldwide that specialise in performing piano music for 8 hands in both original and arranged scores. Their aim is NOT to make piano music sound four times as loud, but four times more colourful and eccentric as would be possible with a mere two hands! A pleasant side product is the sociability of the music making, taking the pianist out of the lonely landscape of ‘The Music, The Ivories and Me’ and quite literally making piano playing an orchestral experience.
Gillian Bithel was taught by her father from the tender age of 4 and throughout her childhood they played duets and two-piano music. She studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Her work has taken her all over the country, including many concerto performances and recitals. She now lives near Matlock in Derbyshire.
One of Beate Toyka’s first musical memories is building a den under the piano while her father and big sister played the ‘Goldberg Variations’ in Max Rheinberger’s arrangement for 2 pianos! She studied at Cologne Conservatoire and the Royal Academy of Music with Hamish Milne. Besides working with the demands of the solo repertoire she has since tried to foster multi piano playing. She formed a similar group in Cambridge, and in Gaborone, Botswana…!
Peter Gould had his first piano lessons in Portsmouth at the age or 6 with his father, who often played duets with him. He too went to the Royal Academy of Music, first as a pianist but soon changing to the organ as first study. He is now Master of the Music at Derby Cathedral, where he runs several successful choirs- for boys, girls and adults. He takes his choirs on international tours. He is also an examiner for the ABRSM.
Richard Hodges also had his first piano lessons with his
father at a very young age. One of his earliest musical memories is repeatedly
listening to ‘Sparky’s Magic Piano’ on 78rpm records! He studied at the
Royal College of Music in London, and, like Peter, quickly changed from piano to
the organ. He has lectured in music at the University of Derby for the past 17
years, and is now Primary Subject Leader in ‘Performing Arts Technology’.
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Booking
Information
This highly unusual ensemble has delighted audiences in a variety of venues from
cathedrals to piano shops since its founding in the year 2000.
Based in Derbyshire the performers travel to different parts of the
country. Programmes can vary in
length and style and can include the popular “From 1 to 8 hands” selection
which includes even pieces for three and five hands! Players
introduce their pieces in an informal but informative style and can, on request,
involve children through an accompanying quiz sheet.
Venues
with 2 Pianos are preferred but not essential.
The ‘Quartet’ can travel with a second, high calibre, electric piano
but depends, in that case, on a good quality grand piano in the venue.
For bookings, please mail quartet@beates-music.co.uk.
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8 Hands
Bach – Brandenburg movement
(6 mins.)
Dvorak – Slavonic Dances
(3-4mins each)
Weber – Invitation to the Dance
(6 mins.)
Wagner/Deprosse – Meistersinger Ouvertüre
Grieg – Peer Gynt Suite: Morning, Ases
Death, Anitra’s Dance, Mountain King
Ingolf Dahl – Quodlibet
(6 mins.)
Andrew Peggie – Octopaganini
(10 mins.)
Brian Chapple – Burlesque
(11.mins)
Beethoven – Turkish March
(1.20mins.)
6 Hands
Grainger – Green Bushes Passacaglia
(10 mins.)
Ravel – Frontispice
(1.30mins.)
Bach/Hess - Sheep may safely graze
(4 mins.)
Lutoslawski – Paganini Variations
(6 mins.)
Rodney- Bennett –Four Piece Suite
Rachmaninov – 2nd Suite
Mendelssohn – Scherzo Midsummernight’s Dream
Bartok – Pieces from ‘Mikrokosmos’
Chopin – Rondo C major
3 Hands
Oginski - Polonaise
2 Hands
The
complete standard piano repertoire!
1 Hand
Scriabin - Nocturne for
the left hand
Last Updated 02/01/07