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. The pieces' 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. / Piano

Any violinist who hears the name Sitt nowadays will probably just think of the author of studies and exercises that have long been a familiar feature in instrumental lessons. Of course the Prague violinist, music teacher and composer Hans Sitt (1850-1922) made a significant impact on methods of violin teaching, but he also wrote a whole series of other works worth listening to: concertos for violin, viola and cello and chamber music for various combinations of instruments. Sitt studied the violin in Prague and was then appointed first as leader of the orchestra and then as musical director in Breslau (now called Wroc?aw).After posts as director of music in Prague, Chemnitz - where he championed the work of Smetana - and Nice, he was eventually appointed professor of violin, orchestral playing and score reading at the Leipzig Conservatoire from 1884-1921. Besides this he also played viola in the Brodsky Quartet, organised concerts and was conductor of the Bach Society. The composers Franco Alfano - who completed Puccini's unfinished opera Turandot- and Frederick Delius studied with Sitt, as did the conductor Václav Talich. Three Album Leaves op. 13 were also composed during his time in Leipzig, published by Bosworth and Co in 1894. Romanesca, #1 in that collection, is a pretty, slightly melancholy piece of music with romantic appeal that draws out lyrical and expressive playing and is thus eminently suitable for tuition purposes and concert performances. / Violon Et Piano