Britten Thematic Catalogue

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BTC896 MAZURKA ELEGIACA

For two pianos, op. 23, no. 2

Op. 23, no. 1 is Introduction and rondo alla Burlesca (Oct-Nov 1940), also for two pianos.

Period of composition: Jun - Jul 1941
First performance: 9 Dec 1941 >>
Type of performance: Concert performance
Location: Town Hall, New York
Performance details:

Ethel Bartlett, Rae Robertson pfs

Genre: Duet
Duration: 6'
Dedication: 'In memoriam I.J. Paderewski'

Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941), Polish pianist and composer.

Notes

Ralph Hawkes wished to invite Britten to contribute a new work for solo piano to a planned memorial volume to Paderewski, entitled Homage to Paderewski. Unfortunately, the cable, which should have mentioned 'two piano pieces', was mistranscribed and referred instead to a 'two piano piece'. The error was not spotted and Britten's contribution, though acknowledged in the memorial volume, had to be published separately.

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