Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich ： Concertino for Two Pianos in a-moll Op.94

The music unfolds as if the two pianos were engaged in dialogue, with lively rhythms, songful melodies, and powerful sonorities alternating vividly. Despite its brevity, the work offers strong contrasts between its ideas, and its movement from approachable passages to moments of tension is one of its attractions. The two parts are often equally important; listening for the exchanged melodies and answering phrases makes the structure easier to perceive. In performance, it is important to balance the volume of each part, coordinate the rhythm precisely, and maintain crisp articulation together with a natural sense of phrase direction. Alongside its brilliance, the delicate passing of musical ideas should also be expressed with care.