Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas, Vol. 1

SKU: BR.EB-4341

ISBN 9790004162866. 9 x 12 inches.

Whereas in past decades Urtext editions with assorted aspirations and readings by various editors were the primary points of departure in addressing Beethoven's piano sonatas, today it is more often the question of what significance so-called instructive editions have in the history of interpretation, what additional benefit is generated from them, and wherein lies their legitimacy. Unlike his teacher Hans von Bulow in his edition of the sonatas, Lamond did not allow any intervention in the music text per se. His indications give instead interpretive approaches, additionally inspiring today's musicians in the realization of the musical composition. By the beginning of the 20th century he was a successful and celebrated pianist, concertizing in the US and across much of Europe. He repeatedly caused a stir with his Beethoven projects such as performing sixteen sonatas as well as the Diabelli and Eroica variations within four days at the Queen's Hall in London (1925). Dating from this period is also his edition of Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas that first appeared from Breitkopf & Hartel in 1923. Frederic Lamond thus epitomizes Beethoven interpretation. Even today his name is still associated primarily with Beethoven. The present ,,Instructive Edition of Beethoven's 32 Piano Sonatas is a part of the ,,Breitkopf Originals series on the occasion of Beethoven's 250th Birthday in 2020. Apart from the established Urtext editions, this reissue opens up a fascinating view on the interpretation- and performance practice of one of the most important Beethoven interpreters in the 19th and 20th century.

The Scotsman and his Beethoven - The 32 Piano Sonatas in the Instructive Edition, edited and supplied with fingerings by Frederic Lamond.

SKU: BR.EB-8942

ISBN 9790004187036. 9 x 12 inches.

Friedrich Schneider's extensive work for piano has not to date attracted any research attention, although he enjoyed an excellent reputation as composer and conductor and was one of the most highly regarded piano virtuosos of his time. Extant of his are no less than 42 piano sonatas composed in the surprisingly brief period from 1802 to 1814, hence still before Beethoven had written any of his late sonatas. 24 piano sonatas appeared in print, many others remain simply in manuscript. In the coming years we are presenting all of Friedrich Schneider's piano sonatas for the first time in modern editions. The sonatas are ordered within 4 volumes chronologically by year of composition, starting now with volume II, which gives an overview of Schneider's more mature sonatas. The edition is being edited by Prof. Ulrich Urban, who has for years dealt intensively with this composer's piano work.

Schneider's piano sonatas complement the view of this genre between Haydn and Beethoven and are an important expansion to the repertoire for both specialists and students, with technical demands representing the whole range from moderate to very difficult.