For piano-Sergei Prokofiev was born in Sontsovka in the Ukraine on the 23rd of April 1891. Soon showing a talent for piano and composition by the time he was fourteen he was attending the St. Petersburg Conservatoire where he received extensive schooling inpiano harmony composition and conducting. Prokofiev was greatly interested in contemporary composers (Reger dIndy Debussy and Richard Strauss) and quickly made a name for himself with his revolutionary aesthetic language of great harmonic andrhythmic impact. His compositions were inspired by Symbolism and Futurism two artistic movements predominate at the time. Prokofiev attracted attention through his early works – the Etudes Op.2 and the Pieces Op. 3 and 4 – owing to his specialtechnique and percussive treatment of the piano (similar in some respects to Bartok) although he was also capable of rich melodic invention.Actually composed in 1907-08 before his Four Etudes for Piano Op. 2 Prokofiev’s Four Pieces for Piano Op. 3 and 4 were only published in 1911. Concert pieces some show Scriabin’s influence on the composer especially in the titles.

Everybody knows it, and for many a player it was perhaps the first tentative attempt to coax sounds out of the piano: Chopsticks. The origin of this popular piano piece, like that of most folksongs, cannot be ultimately settled today. Legend has it that it was written by Ferdinand Loh and that the designation of the work 'F. Loh: Walzer' eventually turned into 'Flohwalzer'.But no matter who actually wrote the waltz: It is, without doubt, one of the most famous piano pieces and known all over the world. In France, it is called 'Côtelettes' [Chops], in Great Britain 'Chopsticks', and in Mexico 'Los Changuitos' (Little Monkeys). Technically speaking, however, it is not even a waltz. It is composed in 2/4 time and, with regard to style, rather is a polka or a galop.Eric Mayr transcribed the 16-bar original into a concert version for piano duet. / Piano 4 Mains

Five pieces of hommage on Ginger Rogers. Par KOECHLIN CHARLES. The films of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were theinspiration for “Danses pour Ginger”. Koechlin (1867–1950) was especially fascinated by “Swing Time” (directed by George Stevens; USA, 1936) and between1936 and 1940 went to see this film seven times. The first two pieces are for piano solo and the remaining three for piano duet. A recording by the piano duo of Yaara Tal and Andreas Groethuysen is available on the Sony Classical label, SMK 89618./ Répertoire / Piano et Piano 4 Mains

This unique volume of Alexander Scriabin's piano music combines all of the Russian composer's widely admired Poèmes, which exude the richness and complexity of his later style, with all of the earlier, more Chopinesque Mazurkas and Impromptus. Nearly 100 piano works of varying length and difficulty, reprinted from authoritative Russian editions, represent the full span of Scriabin's musical life. Contenu : 1 Valse [Waltz], Op. 1 (1885) 2 From 3 Morceaux [3 Pieces], Op. 2 (1887-89) 3 10 Mazurkas, Op. 3 (1889) 4 Allegro appassionato, Op. 4 (1892) 5 2 Nocturnes, Op. 5 (1890) 6 2 Impromptus à la Mazur, Op. 7 (1892) 7 From 2 Morceaux pour la main gauche [for left hand], Op. 9 (1894) 8 2 Impromptus, Op. 10 (1894) 9 2 Impromptus, Op. 12 (1895) 10 2 Impromptus, Op. 14 (1895) 11 Allegro de concert, Op. 18 (1896) 12 Polonaise, Op. 21 (1897) 13 9 Mazurkas, Op. 25 (1899) 14 Fantaisie, Op. 28 (1900) 15 2 Poèmes, Op. 32 (1903) 16 Poème tragique, Op. 34 (1903) 17 Poème satanique, Op. 36 (1903) 18 Valse, Op. 38 (1903) 19 2 Mazurkas, Op. 40 (1902-3) 20 Poème, Op. 41 (1903) 21 2 Poèmes, Op. 44 (1905) 22 From 3 Morceaux, Op. 45 (1904-5) 23 Scherzo, Op. 46 (1905) 24 Quasi Valse, Op. 47 (1905) 25 From 3 Morceaux, Op. 49 (1905) 26 From 4 Morceaux, Op. 51 (1906) 27 3 Morceaux, Op. 52 (1906) 28 From 4 Pièces, Op. 56 (1907) 29 2 Morceaux, Op. 57 (1907) 30 Feuillet d'album, Op. 58 (1910) 31 From 2 Morceaux, Op. 59 (1910) 32 Poème-Nocturne, Op. 61 (1911) 33 2 Poèmes, Op. 63 (1911) 34 2 Poèmes, Op. 69 (1913) 35 2 Poèmes, Op. 71 (1914) 36 Vers la flamme [Toward the flame]: Poème, Op. 72 (1914) 37 2 Danses, Op. 73 (1914) 38 Valse, Op. post. (1886) 39 Canon, Op. post. (1883)

Peaceful Classical Piano Solos. Relax at the piano with this exceptional collection of satisfying and profoundly beautiful pieces to play. Includes pieces from some of the greatest classical composers of all time: Bach, Beach, Beethoven, Chopin, Coleridge-Taylor, Debussy, Mozart, Schumann and many more. Some pieces have been transposed and simplified for ease of playing.

Offering insightful interpretive suggestions, pertinent fingering and historical and stylistic commentary, the Schirmer Performance Editions series is designed for Piano students and teachers, as well as professional pianists.This volume contains 22 pieces by 14 composers, including Berens, Beyer, Burgmüller, Duvernoy, Ellmenreich, Gurlitt, Heller, Kullak, Kunz, Oesten, Reinecke, Schumann, Streabbog and Tchaikovsky.Complete with online access to recorded performances, this book provides the early intermediate level pianist with a newly-engraved collection of pieces from the Romantic Era, accompanied by historical notes and performance suggestions. / Piano

Gregory Stone has transcribed these three selected preludes for one piano-four hands. For much of his life George Gershwin sought to integrate the worlds of jazz and classical music. These pieces are not jazz improvisations but they do show something of the style of his own playing. Gershwin had intended to compose a set of twelve a sort of jazz Wohltemperierte Clavier but his unexpected death from a brain tumour at the age of 38 prevented this. At least seven survive (others may have ended up as songs) and this set of three as published form a satisfying unit. The first opens with a blue-note riff which forms the basis of the first theme.Contrasting material follows making use of a distinctive repeated note figure then the first idea reappears in a quasi-orchestral climax. The second prelude shows a curious kinship with Chopin???s A minor Prelude with its eerie accompaniment and hypnotic melody. The third exploits a similar major/minor ambivalence but dextrous syncopation gives it driving rhythmic energy.

27 pieces of Grade 7 standard edited for the ABRSM by Lionel Salter. Includes works by Schumann Ravel Granados and Smetana.

Ten works at the late intermediate to advanced level. With composer bio and notes on the music. Includes: Scottish Legend, Op. 54, No. 1; Fire-Flies from Four Sketches, Op. 15, No. 4; From Blackbird Hills, Op. 83; Variations on Balkan Themes, Op. 60; and more.

Easier Piano Pieces 06-Theodor Fürchtegott Kirchner (1823-1902) a German organist teacher and composer was much influenced by Schumann. He wrote an immense number of short simple pieces for the piano and these are marked by polished craftsmanship and unexpected touches as shown in this delightful collection of miniatures.

Two Musorgsky Transcriptions. For György Kurtág, Mussorgsky's works have always been an important model. Several of his works contain pieces referring to Mussorgsky (Games III, The Small Snag), and in his opera, Fin de partie, he also refers to Mussorgsky's declamation style. He made these two transcriptions for piano duet in 1989, continuing a series of his earlier pre-Classical transcriptions. The transcriptions were premiered by the composer and his wife, Márta. This publication is printed on high quality, durable paper made from renewable raw materials in an environmentally friendly way.

A Romantic Sketchbook For Piano explores the wealth of piano music from the Romantic period in five carefully graded albums. Mostly composed between 1830 and 1930 the pieces in these albums have been selected to introduce players to a wide range of music from works by some of the leading Romantic composers (such as Schumann Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky) to unfamiliar pieces by lesser-known figures.Each volume presents a variety of keys time signatures and textures within a comprehensive range of tempi which will be invaluable to students in the development of their musical skills. Players will also respond imaginatively to the varying styles and moods offeredin these colourful sketchbooks from the lively dances and mood pictures to the tender songs and gentle serenades.The five books in this series are graded in terms of difficulty Book 1 being relatively easy and Book 5 advanced.