Bedrich Smetana: The Moldau: Piano

Smetana's 'Vlatava' can be regarded as a prime example of programme music. The composition is a hymn to Smetana's home country of Bohemia describing the course of the river Vltava from the source to its junction with the river Elbe.The work describes the course of the river Vltava starting from the two small sources of the warm Vltava and the cold Vltava until the two streams merge. The course of the Vltava is through forests and meadows and further through the landscape where many merry celebrations are being held; a dance of the water nymphs in the moonlight castles magnificent houses and ruins proudly appearing on nearby rocks; the Vltava forming eddies in the rapids ofSt. Johann flowing as a large river toward Prague until the fortress of Vysehrad appear and eventually disappearing in the distance to flow majestically into the river Elbe. (B. Smetana)

Ce permier volume de la collection 'Les Plaisirs Du Piano' se propose de fournir aux adultes ainsi qu'aux élèves des Conservatoires et Ecoles de Musique, un répertoire d'oeuvres classiques complet et varié. Il constitue pour l'ensemble une réduction simplifiée d'oeuvres orchestrales. En effet le pianiste pourra de manière ludique jouer les pièces transcrites pour son instrument. Le caractère pédagogique de cet ouvrage repose sur la difficulté progressive des morceaux sélectionnés et des doigtés. A l'écoute de chaque titre du CD, le pianiste peut entendre l'interprétation proposée et laisser par ailleurs libre cours à sa propre sensibilité./ Recueil / Piano

Urtext edition with Primo and Secondo parts printed on facing pages.Clear and uncluttered engraving.Informative foreword (Eng/Cz/Ger) including a contribution by Smetana scholar Olga Moj? ?ová. Vltava (The Moldau) is Smetana?s most famous and frequently performed tone poem. It was written between 20 November and 8 December 1874 but only in 1879-1880 with the completion of the entire cycle Má vlast did the full score and his version for Piano duet appear in print.In addition to the orchestral version Hugh Macdonald?s new Urtext edition also includes the composer?s own version for Piano duet.

Beginning pianists of all ages will cherish this excellent compilation of classics. Each piece was carefully selected and simplified to help students develop their skills. Many of the greatest composersâ??J. S. Bach Beethoven Brahms Mendelssohn Mozart Rimsky-Korsakov Rachmaninoff Tchaikovsky and othersâ??are represented by several pieces each some newly adapted for the piano. Composers and works not usually featured in beginner's books include pieces by Borodin Gluck Rameau and Tallis.Well-known classics include Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 Debussy's Claire de Lune Moussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition Satie'sGymnopedie No. 1 Schumann's Child Falling Asleep and 'Spring' from Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Several orchestral pieces have been newly adapted for the piano including 'Dance of the Swan' from Swan Lake 'Aquarium' from Carnival of the Animals 'Largo' from Xerxes and 'Waltz of the Flowers' from The Nutcracker.Dover Original.

Symphonic Poem-In late September 1874 shortly after losing his hearing Smetana started work on â??VyÅ¡ehradâ? the first symphonic poem in what would become a six-part cycle with the title â??Má vlastâ? (My Country). It tells the eventful history of this fort in Prague.â??VyÅ¡ehradâ? was published by Urbánek together with â??Vltavaâ? (The Moldau) the next part in the cycle in a version for piano duet in December 1879. The full score and parts proofread by the composer followed in February 1880. Hugh Macdonald has corrected many errors in this first edition. He draws on the autograph and first print of the orchestral version and also refers to the autograph and printed piano duet version.In late September 1874 shortly after losing his hearing Smetana started work on â??VyÅ¡ehradâ? the first symphonic poem in what would become a six-part cycle with the title â??Má vlastâ? (My Country). It tells the eventful history of this fort in Prague.â??VyÅ¡ehradâ? was published by Urbánek together with â??Vltavaâ? (The Moldau) the next part in the cycle in a version for piano duet in December 1879. The full score and parts proofread by the composer followed in February 1880. Hugh Macdonald has corrected many errors in this first edition. He draws on the autograph and first print of the orchestral version and also refers to the autograph and printed piano duet version.