British Minimalism and Post-Minimalism in Piano Duets and Two-Piano Works 18 June 2013

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British minimalism and post-minimalism in piano duets and two-piano works 18 June 2013 Programme Michael Parsons Rhythm Studies II (1971) Howard Skempton No Great Shakes (1989) John White Untitled Piano Duet (1966) Piano Duet 13 (from 1st Set of Duets (1974)) Dave Smith Swings (1974) Christopher Hobbs Pretty Tough Cookie (c.1972) Piano Duet 11 (from 1st Duet Set (1974)) The Remorseless Lamb (exc.) (1970) Dave Smith A Gay Romp (1974) About the composers Michael Parsons was born in 1938. Co-founder, with Cornelius Cardew and Howard Skempton of the Scratch Orchestra he has been closely associated with visual artists of the Systems group. Like Skempton, with whom he has worked as a duo, his music is characterized by an economical use of material and clarity of structure. Since 1956, John White has composed a considerable amount for the concert platform, dance and theatre productions, electronic media and experimental ensembles that he has initiated. His works are written in a wide range of styles and include 175 piano sonatas and much for piano duet and 2 pianos. He is Head of Music at the Drama Centre, London. Dave Smith read music at Magdalene College, Cambridge in the late 1960s, joined the Scratch Orchestra and performed in various composer/performer groups in the 1970s. These included a keyboard duo with John Lewis as well as later groups with Parsons, Skempton, White and Gavin Bryars. Much of his own music since the mid-1980s is for solo piano. He teaches at the University of Hertfordshire. Christopher Hobbs studied with Cornelius Cardew at the Royal Academy of Music. Like Smith, he has been a member of various groups including the Scratch Orchestra, AMM, and the PTO and has written a large variety of music for many instrumental combinations. As a performer he has also been associated with the music of Erik Satie. Most of his recent music is computer-based, using number systems derived from Sudoku puzzles. He teaches at Coventry University. .

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