Piano Duets: American Composers (Piano Duets edited by Michael Aston)

The volume includes arrangements of celebrated chamber and orchestral works alongside original duets, in a survey of prominent composers and styles from the USA. It reflects the indigenous influences of jazz, ragtime, and folk music, and of European styles and genres. Authoritative and expertly edited, the collection is designed for intermediate pianists (Grades 5-7) and includes an historical and technical commentary on every piece.

Michael Aston held an Exhibition for music at Cambridge University. After a short career in the Civil Service, he moved to Leeds, in 1979, and began a career as a freelance musician. A pianist specializing in accompaniment and piano duos, he taught piano and became involved in continuing education, presenting courses for the universities of Manchester, Nottingham, and Cambridge. He is a lifelong enthusiast for the music of William Walton, and has lectured widely on the subject and visited the Walton estate in Italy. He has written about Walton for Classical Music magazine and edited a volume of the William Walton Edition, published by Oxford University Press. He is the compiler of five volumes of piano duets published by OUP.