Cantus / Rêve (LP)

Side A of this LP by pianists Lucas and Arthur Jussen features CANTUS – six tracks based on an aria or chorale melody. The first is a unique arrangement for two pianos of the Aria "Aus Liebe will mein Heiland sterben" from Bach's St. Matthew Passion. This is followed by three chorale arrangements by Johannes Brahms. Brahms wrote these for organ, but his good friend Mandyczewski arranged them for piano four hands. The German composer Reinhard Febel reworked Bach's "Erbarm dich mein, o Herre Gott" BWV 721, also for piano four hands. Lucas and Arthur Jussen conclude CANTUS with the two-piano version of Arvo Pärt's "Pari Intervallo." Side B features RÊVE: beautiful French, impressionistic piano music by lesser-known composers like Reynaldo Hahn, Charles Koechlin, and Germaine Tailleferre. These mostly unknown works will certainly appeal to those who enjoy calm, melodic piano music.