Music / The Neeman Duo. At Tuggeranong Arts Centre, September 20. Reviewed by SARAH BYRNE.

The latest charming bagatelle in the Tuggeranong Arts Centre’s Saturday Salon series was an outing by the Neeman Duo, wife-and-husband team Stephanie and Edward Neeman, featuring classical pieces for four-handed piano.

This highly entertaining format began with a version of a Franck piece originally for organ. Unfortunately, the TAC does not run to programs, even digital ones, so it is difficult to identify the pieces more precisely if more details are not announced. This was a lovely start, and though a lachrymose piece it was beautifully performed.

The next piece was a thoroughly entertaining arrangement of John Corigliano’s Gazebo Dances, originally for a concert band. I’m not familiar with Corigliano, but will be seeking him out – as transcribed by the Neemans, the music evoked Trevor Duncan if heavily influenced by Gershwin’s classical style – very Manhattan, and immensely enjoyable.

The Neemans themselves are tremendous fun to watch – Edward relatively stoic, though occasionally lifting from his seat in enthusiasm; Stephanie’s mobile features expressing every instant of the music, reacting to her husband, and just on the right side of ham – what a gift she would have been to silent movies!

The next piece was for Edward solo, and he did, thankfully, describe it first, as it was a world premiere of a composition by the Neemans’ friend of their Cincinnati days (and subject of Stephanie’s doctorate), Joel Hoffman, inspired by American composer Frederic Rzewski. I know it’s infra dig to applaud between movements, but we did it anyway.

The following piece was another Edward solo; again, not announced, but I’m fairly confident it was Liszt’s Campanella (from the Paganini variations), quite lovely; and then he was rejoined by Stephanie for a rounsing arrangement of what was immediately identifiable as Khachaturian’s Sabre Dance, a frenetic and fun performance with so much crossing of hands and arms that at times the pair were almost embracing.

A well-earned encore brought us a fandango. This was a thoroughly entertaining performance, though again, the lack of programs is frustrating, and hinders the audience from exploring more of these composers. I look forward to the Neeman Duos’ next outing.