These recordings revive the widespread and popular 19th century tradition, practised by Chopin and Liszt among others, of performing both original compositions and transcriptions for two pianos eight hands. With the exception of Tchaikovsky’s exuberant Capriccio italien, a transcription by his colleague Eduard Langer, the works presented on this recording are heard in the composers’ own brilliant and no less exotically coloured transcriptions of the more familiar orchestral versions.