Washington State University pianists Jeffrey and Karen Savage, also known as 88 Squared, have released a new album for dual piano.
The married couple’s new CD, “Lowell Liebermann, Complete Works for Two Pianos,” was released by Albany Records and is being aired on public radio and commercial stations nationwide, according to a news release from Washington State University.
The Savages have played piano in both the four-hand form (at one instrument) and two-piano form since they met more than two decades ago. They felt limited by the number of compositions written for two pianos and Karen Savage applied for a grant and gathered additional support to commission a new work by one of the world’s foremost modern composers, Lowell Liebermann.
During the time Liebermann worked on the composition, “Sonata for Two Pianos, Opus 117,” Karen Savage was diagnosed and treated for Stage 3 breast cancer.
Last summer at WSU, 88 Squarred recorded the sonata and three other compositions for two pianos by Liebermann. Acclaimed pianist William Hobbs joined the couple along with the composer in performing and recording Liebermann’s “Daydream and Nightmare for Two Pianos, Eight Hands.”
The CD is $16.99 and available online and on iTunes at www.albanyrecords.com.
