Here is a useful coupling. These duettists were new to me, but they are quite well represented in the current catalogue, and to judge from their Brahms playing, they offer excellent ensemble, a crisp and convincing idea of the music they play, and above all an invigorating zest and zip. When Malcolm MacDonald reviewed a disc with the 16 Brahms Waltzes—the skilful and well-recorded Isabel Beyer and Harvey Dagul on Four Hands Music—he thought them ''beautifully played'' but considered that the set of pieces had ''wooden moments'' and seemed overlong. However, I think he might have revised his view had he heard this admirably vivid performance. Some tempos are quicker than usual, but at no time do these artists hurry us, and their elegant and perfectly synchronized rubato is a delight throughout. Try the brilliant No. 6 in C sharp major and its gentle successor in the corresponding minor key to hear their quality of artistry. I will also praise their dynamic range, texture, phrasing and pedalling; indeed, this is a fully recommendable performance.
The Hungarian Dances, which are played first, are no less enjoyable, being infectiously alert and sparkling and offering vigour without coarseness. The duettists' chosen piano is a fine one in good condition, and in both works Sony's ''20-bit recording process'', briefly described on the penultimate page of the booklet, has produced clear and spacious sound.'