The Chase (from Presto Scherzo) (for 2 pianos): Piano Duet

Two pianos elevate a piece instantly, and Keveren uses that setting to create genuine dialogue rather than doubling. The scherzo spirit keeps energy high, and five pages of music offers substantial material without overstaying its welcome. You get a piece that's genuinely fun to perform and surprisingly memorable after just a few rehearsals.

Playful momentum charges through the piece as both pianos spin rapid figurations around each other. The scherzo character lands somewhere between a musical joke and genuine virtuosity, keeping listeners smiling while the performers navigate the active writing with precision.

Intermediate to advanced pianists who thrive on ensemble music and enjoy the collaborative energy of four-hand or two-piano writing. This works equally well in studio settings, recitals, or as a showpiece for piano students studying contemporary classical writing.

• Establish the tempo before the first note sounds. This chase only works when both pianists sit together locked into the same pulse; a quick count-off prevents the dialogue from feeling scattered.
• Balance the weights of both parts equally during the running passages. Each piano should sound like an equal participant in the game, not one leading and one following.
• Identify where melodies shift between the two keyboards and mark those transitions clearly in rehearsal. Highlighting the hand-off moments helps each pianist know exactly when to lean in.
• Experiment with the touch in the scherzo character. A lighter, more detached approach in the rapid sections often sounds more playful than a heavier tone.

Position this as a palate cleanser between weightier romantic works, or pair it with similar contemporary two-piano pieces to showcase the range of modern classical writing. The five-page length makes it ideal for student recital segments or as a finale that leaves the audience energized rather than contemplative.

• Maintaining rhythmic independence while listening to a partner part
• Executing rapid scalar and figurative passages with clarity and evenness
• Balancing ensemble sound between two keyboard instruments
• Reading and responding to musical cues from another performer in real time