Brahms, Johannes : Waltzes op. 39 / Easy Edition

A year after their composition in 1866, Brahms?s popular 16 Waltzes op. 39 for piano duet were arranged by the composer for piano solo, thus fulfilling the request of his publisher for a simplified version.

Brahms himself described the first version as suitable for reasonable hands , that is for proficient players, and the easier version as perhaps for prettier hands , that is, for domestic music-making. He initially described the latter version to his publisher as a children?s edition . The catchy and musically easily accessible pieces are among the composer?s most popular works and are particularly suitable for piano students and lovers of the Romantic repertoire.

Both versions of the Waltzes op. 39 (BA9602, BA9603) are available in separate editions and form an important contribution to Bärenreiter?s series of Brahms?s works in scholarly-critical Urtext editions. Both editions include fingering, a well-presented musical layout and optimum page-turns. The Urtext editions are complemented by explanations on performance practice used by Brahms, an informative foreword on the genesis, sources and significance of the works together with comments on the primary sources.

- A key work in the Romantic piano repertoire
- All known sources and the latest research findings taken into account
- Well-presented musical layout with optimum page-turns
- Includes fingering
- Suggestions on performance practice and interpretation (Ger/Eng)
- Informative foreword (Ger/Eng) and critical commentary (Eng)

The editor
Christian Köhn has been awarded several scholarships as well as winning major international music competitions in Germany.
He has released 24 CDs to date, including the first ever complete recording of the piano duo works of Johannes Brahms. Christian Köhn is a lecturer at the Musikhochschule Detmold. / [Valses op. 39 / Versions Simplifiées] / Classique / Partition / Agrafé /

Nach dem Erscheinen der 16 Walzer für Klavier zu vier Händen gelang es Brahms' Verleger den Komponisten von einer Fassung für Klavier zu zwei Händen zu überzeugen. Brahms schlug - nach anfänglichem Zögern - zwei Varianten vor, eine für ?vernünftige Hände und eine - vielleicht für die schöneren'. Beide Fassungen erschienen 1867. Die erleichterte, von Brahms auch ?Kinderfassung' genannt, entschärft nicht nur so manche Vollgriffigkeit, sie ändert auch komplizierte Tonarten: So tritt die Nr. 6 statt in Cis-dur nun im Gewand des leichter fassbaren C-dur auf. Diese vereinfachte Fassung des populären op. 39 kommt nun im G. Henle Verlag als Revision auf Grundlage der neuen Brahms-Gesamtausgabe heraus. / Piano

Easy Piano Pieces with Practising Tips-With the new Urtext Primo series the Wiener Urtext Edition wants to close the gap arising at the point of transition to additional lessons after having studied a Piano method. Beginning with a performance level which is outlined by pieces such as Bach's Minuet in G (BWV Anh. 116) Mozart's Minuet in F (KV 5) or Schumann's Wilder Reiter (Op. 68/8) works by three different composers are selected for each volume of the Urtext Primo series with the aim of offering Piano pupils (or even adults who want to resume Piano playing) a wide range of repertoire pieces on the basis of which they can enhance their technical and musical skills. Thepieces' range of levels of difficulty is relatively narrow so that the volume can be used continuously over a period of about two years. This is what distinguishes the Urtext Primo approach from almost all common anthologies. The selected repertoire takes into account not only pieces of the classic canon of lessons but also lesser known works which are in no way of less importance for Piano lessons. The Urtext Primo volumes are published in the internationally recognised standard of the Wiener Urtext editions. The explanations included in each volume shall help to deepen the knowledge of musical styles music history and Piano playing. A repertoire chart at the end of each volume gives a rough overview of the levels of difficulty of the selected pieces. Volume 4 combines works of the German Romanticism by Schumann Brahms and Theodor Kirchner. Apart from well known pieces from Schumann's 'Album for the Youth' and the easiest waltzes from opus 39 (in the easier version) by Brahms the selection contains the attractive set of variations from Schumann's first Youth Sonata Op. 118/1 and Brahms’ Saraband in A minor WoO 5/1 as well as a number of pleasant pieces by Theodor Kirchner which continue the tonal air of Schumann and Brahms in easy playable pieces.

This album is a special edition not only due to its very affordable price but also because it features a cross section of Bärenreiter's extensive piano catalogue.The pieces and movements range from the 18th century through to the first decades of the 20th century. During these approximately 200 years keyboard playing developed considerably and together with the unstoppable rise of the pianoforte since the end of the 18th century, it became hugely popular.The fifteen composers who are represented in this edition have each, in their inimitable way, shaped the possibilities of sound and playing techniques of this instrument in their works. In our piano collection you will find compositions from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Early Modern eras. The pieces also vary in national style and range from low through to high technical difficulty. An appetizer for our Urtext editions - give it a try! / Piano