Howard Ferguson and Denis Matthews
Darius Milhaud , one of the most prolific of modern French composers, was at one time a member of the famous group known as ' The Six '. His output includes operas, ballets, oratorios, orchestral and chamber works, piano pieces, and songs.
His Suite for two pianos ' Scaramouche ' was first performed by the composer and Marcelle Meyer at a BBC studio concert in December 1937. In a RADIO TIMES article Alan Frank said of it : ' It is a very simple work, written with great economy and clarity, and often reminiscent of Milhaud's earlier sympathy with the music of the circus and music-hall. In the middle of the first movement, for instance, there is a real hearty, vulgar tune with somewhat jazzy accompaniment ; and the easy-going theme of the middle moderato movement has a distinctly popular flavour.'
Scaramouche, by the way, was the stock buffoon character of seventeenth-century Italian comedies.