Abstract
Double Concerto for Toy Pianos and Chamber Orchestra is a three-movement, 17- minute work written for two soloists playing two amplified toy pianos each, and a chamber orchestra consisting of woodwinds plus alto saxophone; brass; amplified banjo; 3 percussion; strings; and a variety of toy instruments and animal calls.
Part I of this essay provides brief historical information about the toy piano and selected performers and chamber music works, toy symphonies, and a description of several important toy piano concertos. I also discuss my research methodologies for the creation of the Toy Piano Chamber Music Database, a repository of chamber and large ensemble music that has toy piano in it. Part II of this essay focuses on Double Concerto for Toy Pianos and Chamber Orchestra. It includes an explanation of performance practicalities, a formal analysis of the piece, and a discussion of my approaches to orchestration.
An unconventional aspect of this composition is the use of four specific toy pianos, each with a distinct timbre and range.