Team of Pianists
...Artists in residence
for the National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
CDs DVDs and Books
Order Form for CDs, DVDs, books
Tone, Touch and Technique for the Young Pianist - Book & CD
Max Cooke's comprehensive treatise on technical development for the young pianist had been print since 1964. This revised edition is from 2007 and includes exercises, 9 carefully chosen pieces, a preface for teachers, an explanation for using the book, a section on planning the daily practice, as well as a concise summary of fingering patterns for scales and arpeggios. The exercises and pieces are arranged to develop three essential aspects of piano technique - five finger training, preparation for scales and arpeggios and the development of wrist and arm technique and double notes. Tone Touch and Technique for the Young Pianist comprises about one year of work for enthusiastic young pianists, or selected specific exercises and pieces may be used to solve specific technical problems for both adults and children!
Includes a complimentary CD with performances of the exercises and pieces!
Tone, Touch and Technique for the Young Pianist - DVD
This DVD brings to life the young pianists Tone, Touch and Technique book, with careful explanations by Max Cooke, and performances by Team of Pianists members of all exercises and pieces from the book. The DVD medium allows close-up of details not readily seen in live performances. It becomes clear how physical, physiological and psychological awareness can lead to fluency and tonal control, and how movement can be associated with sounds.
Tone, Touch and Technique for the Advanced Pianist - Book & CD
First appearing in 1985, this is Max Cooke's comprehensive treatise on technical development for the advanced pianist. This book includes a comprehensive chapter on general principles of piano technique, detailed options for using the book to maximum effect, plus extensive exercises and repertoire to develop close finger work, extended finger work and octaves and chords. The 109 pages of technical development include comprehensive exercises, as well as studies and technical development pieces by Czerny, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Chopin, and Brahms. Suitable for advanced pianists.
Includes a complimentary CD with performances of the exercises and pieces!
Tone, Touch and Technique for the Advanced Pianist - DVD
This DVD brings to life the advanced pianists Tone, Touch and Technique book, with careful explanations by Max Cooke, and performances by Team of Pianists members of all exercises and pieces from the book. Frequent viewing will allow the sound and gestures of performance to be assimilated in the playing.
Bach at the Piano - Book
In this book, re-issued in 1995, Max Cooke looks at playing Bach's music on the modern piano. Chapter 1 addresses the question of should Bach's music be played on the piano whilst Chapter 2 covers adapting Bach's music to this instrument. Chapter 3 looks at articulation and rhythmic shaping, whilst Chapter 4 deals with problems of music notation and style. 30 pages including preface and conclusion, spiral bound.
Fantasies for Piano Duet on Robert Stolz Melodies
Max Cooke's arrangement for piano duet of three famous songs by Viennese composer Robert Stolz: In Wien, wo der Wein und der Walzer Blüht (In Vienna, where wine and waltz flourish), Auf der Heide, blühn die letzen Rosen (On the heather the last roses are blooming), and Mein Liebeslied muss ein Waltzer sein (My love song must be a waltz).
A Pedagogue on the Platform - Max Cooke's Life in Music
Max Cooke's autobiography, published in 2010, tells the fascinating story of a life in music. Written and researched with the assisstance of Dr Fay Woodhouse, each chapter explores a theme from Max's life. Illustrations include photos, concert programs and other contemporary documents. The book also contains a CD with some choice performances featuring the author.
New Norcia - A Spanish Rhapsody
Issued in December 2011, the Team's latest CD, New Norcia: A Spanish Rhapsody, reflects the blending of Spanish and Australian cultures. Featuring all four of the Team's partners - Robert Chamberlain, Max Cooke, Darryl Coote and Rohan Murray, along with guest artists soprano Louise Page and violinist Elizabeth Sellars, the programme on this CD comprises eclectic and attractive Spanish or Spanish-influenced works for two pianos, piano duet, piano solo, piano and voice, as well as for piano and violin. Composers featured are: Manuel Infante, Joaquin Nin (arr. Max Cooke), Manuel De Falla, Stephen Moreno and Maurice Ravel.
...from Gracia (El Vito), Danses Andalouses (Andalusian Dances) for 2 pianos by Manuel Infante. Darryl Coote –piano 1, Robert Chamberlain – piano 2
...from Saeta (Invocation), Four Chantes d’Espagne, by Joaquin Nin, arr. for piano four hands by Max Cooke. Darryl Coote – primo, Max Cooke – secondo
...from El Paño Moruno, Seven Popular Spanish Songs by Manuel de Falla. Louise Page – soprano, Robert Chamberlain – piano
Schimmel Artists Collection: Team of Pianists Present the K256 Piano
Schimmel Artist Collection: Australia’s Team of Pianists present the Schimmel K256 Grand Piano. Robert Chamberlain, Max Cooke, Darryl Coote, Rohan Murray with guest clarinettist Craig Hill. An eclectic mix of 19th and 20th century music for piano solo, piano duet and clarinet & piano duo.
Brahms 16 Waltzes for piano 4 hands, Chopin Revolutionary Etude, Debussy Reflets dans l’Eau (Images 1, 1905), Saint-Saëns Sonata for clarinet and piano Op 167, Schumann Romance in F sharp Op 28 no 2, Gottschalk The Banjo: Grotesque Fantasie, American Sketch, Carl Vine Piano Sonata no 1 (1990).
...from Brahms 18 Waltzes for piano four hands Op. 39, no 14 in A minor Darryl Coote – primo, Max Cooke –secondo
...from Saint-Saëns Sonata for clarinet and piano Op. 167, 3rd and 4th movements. Craig Hill – clarinet, Robert Chamberlain – piano
...from Carl Vine Piano Sonata no 1 (1990) movement 1. Rohan Murray – piano
Worldsapart
This recording juxtaposes traditional European works for piano duet and two pianos alongside twentieth century Australian works for two and even three pianos, including some first releases on CD.
Performers: Max Cooke, Darrryl Coote, Robert Chamberlain and the New Monash Orchestra conducted by André de Quadros.
Works include Bruch's Concerto for two pianos, also works for piano duet, two and three pianos.
...from Fantasia on Waltzing Matilda for two pianos, by Miriam Hyde. Robert Chamberlain - piano 1, Darryl Coote - piano 2
...from Concerto for two pianos and orchestra, by Max Bruch. Robert Chamberlain - piano 1, Darryl Coote - piano; New Monash Orchestra, conducted by André de Quadros
...from Menuet (Petite Suite) for piano duet, by Claude Debussy. Darryl Coote - primo, Max Cooke - Secondo
Hamilton
Compositions of Australian composers, such as the first CD recording of Helen Gifford's Piano Sonata, feature prominently on this CD, alongside well-loved traditional works, such as Liszt's Liebestraum no. 3.
Performers: Darryl Coote, Alexander Furman, Linda Kouvaras, Robert Chamberlain, Sonny Chua.
Works by Broadstock, Chua, Gifford, Grainger, Sitsky, Worral, Debussy, Fauré, Granados, Handel, Liszt and Mozart.
...from "In the Silence of Night", by Brenton Broadstock. Piano - Linda Kouvaras
...from "Dance, Dance, Dance", by Sonny Chua. Piano - Sonny Chua
...from Sonata (1960), by Helen Gifford. Piano - Darryl Coote
Homage to Brahms
A recital of delightful works by Brahms including Variations on a Theme by Haydn Op 56b for two pianos, Intermezzi Op 116 nos 2 & 4 for piano solo, Sonata for violin and piano in G major Op. 78 and Liebeslieder Waltzer Op 52 for piano duet and four voice. Team partners Max Cooke, Darryl Coote and Robert Chamberlain with guest artists Marina Marsden - violin, Kate Ladner - soprano, Sally-Anne Russell - alto, Michael Terry - tenor and Warwick Fyfe - bass.
Nein, es ist nicht anzukommen, no 16 from Liebeslieder Waltzer Op. 52 for piano duet and voices. Darryl Coote and Max Cooke piano duet, Kate Ladner - soprano, Sally-Anne Russell - alto, Michael Terry - tenor, Warwick Fyfe –bass
...from Intermezzo in E major, Op116 no. 4. Max Cooke solo piano
...from Sonata in G major Op. 78, Allegro ma non troppo. Marina Marsden - violin, Robert Chamberlain -piano
Schimmel Artists Collection: Mathew Kam presents the K230 Piano
Schimmel Artist Collection: Matthew Kam – piano solos by Brahms, Fauré and Rautavaara recorded on the Schimmel K230 grand piano.Matthew Kam, winner of the Australian National Piano Award in 2004, now resident in Manchester, presents music by three composers, starting with Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, one of Brahms most impressive major works for piano. Following this, he plays three delightful smaller pieces by Fauré, and then the exciting Sonata No 2 (Fire Sermon) by Rautavaara.
Download a high resolution image of the cover: Front
...from Brahms Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Handel Op 24, Matthew Kam - piano.
...from Faure Impromptu no 3 in A flat major Op 34, Matthew Kam - piano
Schimmel Artists Collection: Kevin Kanisius Suherman presents the K213 Piano
Schimmel Artist Collection: Kevin Kanisius Suherman 1 – piano solos, Schimmel K213 grand piano.In his first CD in the Schimmel Artist Collection, Kevin Kanisius Suherman presents a variety of popular works by seven composers, Liszt, Chopin and Schumann, all particularly appealing. After five works by these composers, the major work on this disc is an exciting performance of the Beethoven Sonata Op 2 No 3. He concludes with Spanish music by Albeniz, Granados and de Falla.
...from Liszt La Campanella. Kevin Kanisius Suherman piano
...from Beethoven Sonata Op. 2 no 3, Allegro Assai. Kevin Kanisius Suherman piano
Schimmel Artists Collection: Kevin Kanisius Suherman presents the K280 Piano
Schimmel Artist Collection: Kevin Kanisius Suherman 2 – piano solos, Schimmel K280 grand piano. In his second CD in the Schimmel Artist Collection Kevin Kanisius Suherman presents one of the great Romantic works for piano, Carnaval by Schumann. Then after giving fine performances of Liszt and Chopin pieces, including the Andante spianato and Polonaise, he finishes with a deeply-felt performance of the Sonata Op 27 No 1 by Beethoven.
...from Schumann Carnaval Op 9, Preambule. Kevin Kanisius Suherman - piano
...from Schumann Carnaval Op. 9, Valse Noble. Kevin Kanisius Suherman – piano
...from Liszt Gnomenreigen. Kevin Kanisius Suherman – piano
Teamwork
The very first CD recorded in MOVE's purpose-built studio, the programme here includes major traditional works for piano duet, such as Schubert's Fantasie in F minor and Fauré's "Dolly" Suite, alongside Percy Grainger's incredible arrangement of Bach's Organ Toccata in F major for three pianos.
Performers: Max Cooke, Darryl Coote, Robert Chamberlain.
Works for four and six hands at one piano, also for three pianos.
...from Fantasie in F minor for piano duet, by Franz Schubert. Darryl Coote - primo, Max Cooke - secondo
...from Jamaican Rumba by Arthur Benjamin (arranged by Joan Trimble for piano duet). Darryl Coote - primo, Max Cooke - secondo
...from Bach's Organ Toccata in F major, arranged for three pianos by Percy Grainger. Piano 1 - Robert Chamberlain, Piano 2 - Darryl Coote, Piano 3 - Max Cooke
Pianists of Excellence
The Team's first recording, recorded in 1988, helped launch the careers of four of the Team's members and it is still one of the Team's most widely-loved and widely-sold CDs. Solo piano works by Haydn, Schubert, Schumann, Chopin, Brahms and Sculthorpe.
Performers: Anne Bortolussi, Robert Chamberlain, Darryl Coote, Eric Raymond.
...from Ballade no. 4 in F minor, Op. 52 by Fréderic Chopin. Piano - Eric Raymond
...from Impromptu in G flat major, Op. 90 no. 3, by Franz Schubert. Piano - Anne Bortolussi
...from Haydn Sonata in B minor Hob. XVI/32 3rd mov, Piano - Robert Chamberlain
Peter Sculthorpe: Piano Music
Commissioned by MOVE Records in 1989 to mark Sculthorpe's 60th birthday, members of the Team recorded all of Sculthorpe's music for solo piano and to this, MOVE Records added a previous ABC release of Sculthorpe's works recorded by Michael Hannan and Sculthorpe himself.
Performers: Gudrun Beilharz, Robert Chamberlain, Max Cooke, Darryl Coote, Alexander Furman, Michael Hannan, Linda Kouvaras, Peter Sculthorpe.
Solo piano works: Four Little pieces for piano duet, Callabona, Night pieces, Mountains, Djilile, Rose Bay Quadrilles, Nocturnal, Sonatina; Plus Koto I & II, Landscape and Two Easy Pieces (Original solo piano versions)
...from ‘Mountains’ by Peter Sculthorpe. Piano - Gudrun Beilharz
...from ‘Nocturnal’ by Peter Sculthorpe. Piano - Robert Chamberlain
...from ‘Little Serenade’ by Peter Sculthorpe, for piano duet. Primo - Darryl Coote, secondo - Max Cooke
Mozart at Melbourne
Released on the 200th anniversary of Mozart's death, this compilation was inspired by a 1967 LP release on the W & G label of two sonatas of Mozart, recorded by violinist Leonard Dommett and pianist Max Cooke. As the master-recordings were lost, Martin Wright of MOVE Records laboriously digitally re-edited from the original LP pressings. Recorded in the old Waverley theatre (then an ABC studio), these wondrous performances are re-released and complimented by other performances of Mozart's works, recorded twenty-two years later in the same ABC studio.
Performers: Anne Bortolussi, Robert Chamberlain, Max Cooke, Darryl Coote and Angela Vicum, with guest Leonard Dommett (violin) Works by Mozart: Sonata in D major for two pianos, Adagio in B minor, Fantasia in D minor, two sonatas for violin and piano (E flat major KV 481 and G major/minor KV 379) and Andante and Variation in G major for piano duet.
...from Sonata in D major for two pianos, KV 448 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Piano 1 - Robert Chamberlain, Piano 2 - Darryl Coote
...from Sonata for piano and violin in E flat major, KV 481 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Violin - Leonard Dommett, Piano - Max Cooke
...from Adagio in B minor, KV 540 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Piano - Anne Bortolussi