Kenneth Leighton

Prelude, Hymn and Toccata Op. 96 for Two Pianos

The Prelude, Hymn And Toccata 1987 is dedicated to, and was commissioned by the Nettle-Markham Piano Duo. It was the second work to have been written for them by the composer, the first being the Sonata For Piano Duet Op. 92.
This twenty minute work begins with Leighton's typical preludial double-dotted rhythms and contrapuntal textures; it develops into dark, passionate music and erupts into single and double cadenzas. The gentle Hymn is ushered in quietly and unfolds in long, rhapsodic sections, building up to more climactic cadenzas before dissolving gradually to an ethereal conclusion. The Toccata finale shows Leighton's masterly piano writing and contrasts biting, rhythmic motifs with sweeping, yearning elegiac phrases.