Piano music for four hands is often underrated, and for good reason. Within this genre, we encounter many accessible and likable works which, in German, are gathered under the title Gebrauchsmusik (literally, functional music). Does this music, usually calling for relatively little pianistic effort (whilst making a good impression with the listener), meet the criteria for great or even worthwhile music? The genre of Hausmusik (domestic music), as we know it, has been shaped largely by the piano duet repertoire. On the one hand, four-hand piano music has provided an enjoyable means of music making; on the other, it has occasionally been perceived as music merely for the dilettante or amateur music lovers. However, we must consider the historical period in which this music was composed, prior to the advent of recording and CDs. Considering this, and acknowledging the resulting passive enjoyment of music through the development of these electronic means, this repertory should be appreciated as both positive and important. In the case of Schubert s four hand piano works, we encounter a master-composer who brought the form to its pinnacle. It is not by chance that this foremost representative of the Biedermeier period was the very one who not only achieved the peak of Hausmusik, but gems of complex symphonic music as well. The catalogue of over 600 works Schubert composed during his lifetime of 31 years is astonishing, as is the amount of music he wrote for piano duet. Few realize how enormously rich these works are, both in mass and content - the sheer volume of Schubert s four hands piano music would occupy no less than eight compact discs. My colleague Min Kwon and I have found ourselves swinging to the same tune and discovered that we greatly enjoy performing with one another. During a number of our consequent Schubert evening performances, the presenters have, expectedly, requested many well-known works. By juxtaposing the well-known compositions with those less familiar, we discovered a fascinating collection of pieces of differing shape and character, providing a glimpse into the broad spectrum of Schubert s creations. Performing these programs together, we had the opportunity to experience many aspects of Schubert s rich musical world that are represented in his music for four hands. We were encouraged then to share this music with our audiences for the purpose of remembering our performances, and for those who wish to enjoy these works at their leisure. From the ever-popular and joyful Military Marches to the tragically intense F minor Fantasy, we present a wide variety of compositions. In addition to these two extremes of cheerful entertainment music and condensed symphonic music, other selections of varying length have been chosen for their fascinating diversity of character. Writing now about this music, I have consciously avoided referring to historical information, which could be easily found by way of one s own research. Instead, I have chosen to describe those features of which we are most fond. Finally and most importantly, we hope that our listeners become our partners when entering Schubert s world.