Heller, Stephen : 25 Melodious Studies, Op. 45

Rooted in European music history due to his acquaintance with Chopin, Liszt, Berlioz and Schumann, Stephen Heller (1813-1888) is one of the most important representatives of the Romantic character piece. The Budapest-born pianist and piano teacher composed almost exclusively for his instrument. His overall oeuvre comprises more than 150 works, including sonatas, preludes, dances, variations, collections of studies, arrangements, numerous cycles and individual pieces. His rather simple, yet inventive and varied piano setting is typical of 19th-century moderately difficult, virtuoso salon music. In Melodic Studies Op. 45 Heller addresses various technical tasks in a melodious piano setting that is typical of him. Varied, charming idiomatic figurations appear in a harmonically simple and pleasing Romantic tonal language. The rather easy to moderately difficult studies are ideal for lessons and also suitable as performance pieces. Apart from character pieces, this collection also contains effective bravura studies. Contenu - Allegretto - Allegro vivace - Allegretto - Allegretto - Allegretto comodo - Allegretto con moto - Allegretto con moto - Allegretto - Andante quasi Allegretto - Moderato - Allegro - Con moto - Allegro scherzando - Poco maestoso - Poco maestoso - Andantino con tenerezza - Allegro vivace - Allegro - Allegretto grazioso - Allegro - Allegro vivace - Allegretto con moto - Allegro di molto - Allegro veloce - Allegro con brio

These 25 character etudes explore various aspects of Romantic piano technique. Many of the more lyric pieces are similar to Mendelssohn's Song Without Words. This volume containing the famous Warrior's Song and The Avalanche includes short descriptions of the style and/or purpose of each selection.