I need an ensemble piece for my GCSE Music - and the performance date is the 21st April, so I really need to start it now! My school teacher recommended me Diabelli's Jugendfreuden, for 5 notes (here), but I think it is way too easy. It only uses 5 notes in the primo, with virtually no complex rhythms and it is in C major. I don't have any duet books at home, and my teacher doesn't seem to have any of the right standard.

Ideally, I want it to be at the lowest grade/level while still getting full difficulty marks. Around Grade 4-5, I guess. Could you recommend me some pieces? Something I can learn quite quickly and would be suitable for the GCSE? Some specific books I can get would be helpful. Thanks.

Dvorak's Slavonic Dances are quite good and many of them are around this level too. If you go to the Naxos website you should be able to listen to the opening of each of them for free . (They were originally written for piano duet but were later orchestrated so don't be confused by that).

Failing that have a look at the ABRSM or Trinity's enseble exams. Intermediate level should be right to get you full marks at GCSE .

The Joy of piano Duets had some good things in.

Piano Duets has a range of duets - including English Country Garden and Marche Militaire. Not sure what level they're at, but there's loads of different ones so there could well be something suitable.

Thanks for the replies. One thing I forgot to add is that I'd prefer it to be short - about 2-3 pages max. I'm panicking at the moment, because I only have 5 or so weeks to learn & perform this duet. Do you think it's too late and I should stick with the easy Jugendfreuden (which admittedly is a v. nice piece)?

Diabelli's Sonatines (not the jugendfreuden) would be absolutely perfect for you! They are pleasing tunes, varying from about grade 3- grade 6 standard I would say. You get 5 in a book. I don't have the book at the moment and couldn't find it on musicroom but it does exist.

That does sound good. If you remember the title or opus number of the piece(s), it will be great to know. Would you say it's master-able in a month?

Definitely, especially the first one! I'll do a search.

EDIT: They are Opus numbers 24 (1 & 2), 54, 58 and 60.

I agree that the Diabelli would be lovely, and also Weber did some very tuneful sonatinas for piano duet. These are also quick to learn and fun to play.

heh i know this is pretty late, but i think Amy Beach has some great duet stuff. they're quite show pieces, ie they sound harder than they are, in the style of macdowell. they're based on small sections of text or short poems to depict the mood of the piece. very nice. and both parts are equal in difficulty (intermediate). i played this for my gce 'o' levels ensemble component.

Here are two books I like playing with my pupils:

www.boosey.com/pages/shop/product_detail.asp?id=625408&a=

www.boosey.com/pages/shop/product_detail.asp?id=623797&a=


They are well known pieces (Sabre Dance, Land of H & G, Troika, America, Waltz from Masquerade etc etc) and have been arranged really well. Most are Grade 3-5 standard. You'll enjoy them!