Hello, friends!
My piano teacher friend, Susan West, and I have been busy practicing a selection of Christmas duets in order to perform them for a handful of local events during this December. Check out our favorite duet books below!
Here is the list of piano duet books mentioned in the video:
- Christmas Music transcribed for Piano Four Hands, by Norman Dello Joio. (Late Intermediate)
- Christmas for 4-Hand Piano, by Joel Raney. (Advanced)
- Carols of Christmas for Piano, four hands, arranged by Eugene Butler. (Late Intermediate to Advanced. Unfortunately, this book appears to be out-of-print.)
- Christmas Duet Fantasies, by Robert D. Vandall. (Early to Late Intermediate)
- Sleigh Ride, by Leroy Anderson and arranged by Michael Edwards. (Early Advanced)
- Joyfully Joined Christmas Duets, arranged by Weekly & Arganbright. (Early Intermediate)
- Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, by Johnny Marks and arranged by J. Louis Merkur. (This vintage sheet music was copyright 1953, so I’m not sure if it is still available!)
- Christmas for Two, arranged by Jerry Ray. (Student part if Late Elementary; Teacher/Parent part is Intermediate.)
Do you have Christmas duet recommendations for us to consider for next year? Please leave a comment below!
I’ve recently purchased the Phillip Kevern Christmas duet book, and it’s really quite lovely. His arrangement of Joy to the World features many different elements that make for a fun listening and playing experience.
Thanks so much for the suggestion, Paula-Beth!
Thanks for the suggestions…..going to put them on my wish list for next year as I have already purchased the ones for this year. The Christmas Music one looks like it will work for me and the person I duet with at church…
Love your ideas, but I wonder if you might be able to remind us of past holiday posts much earlier than December. We teachers are probably planning Christmas music and gifts in early fall.. I remember the Christmas gift ideas from last year, but posted too late both times. Maybe I just over looked the links this fall?
Very good suggestion, Lori. I’ll try to do better next year.
My favorite Christmas Duet collection is Dennis Alexander’s Magic of Christmas. I haven’t seen books 1 and 2, but Book 3 is delightful with a variety of styles, and my duet partner and I have played most of them several times at retirement home or church events.
Thanks for the tip, Alice!
I have really enjoyed the Persichetti Appalachian Christmas Carols. I have several adults that enjoyed sharing these with me.
I’ll check that out, Gordon — thanks!
Hi! I realize I’m seeing this post years later, but I’m so curious, what are the pieces from each book that you played? Thanks!
Over the past few years, I think we’ve played almost everything out of the books listed above! We have certain favorites, but we enjoy sight-reading lots of things and then creating a slightly different program of pieces each year. 🙂
My friend and I love playing from Carols for Christmas by Arnold B. Sherman.