Instrumentation : Pf 'Christmas Pieces' Editor :Ruthardt
SKU: BR.EB-8032
ISBN 9790004174357. 9 x 12 inches.
In the last year of his life, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847) composed the six charming Children's Pieces, op. 72 (EB 8317). In contrast to the collections of children's pieces (by Schumann or Reger, for example), these have remained relatively unknown. Admittedly, however, they here and there demand technical and musical accomplishments that are beyond those to be expexted of beginners and belong to an intermediate stage of instruction. In the present edition, minor re-arrangements and cuts (in op. 72 no. 6) are intended to make the music more accessible to a child's understanding. The Songs without Words presented here are musically more demanding. From the total of 48 pieces, I have selected three slow compositions in which simple, beautiful melodie lines are supported by chorale-like piano textures. True performance of these pieces requires clean polyphonic chord playing and a cultivated pedal technique. The selection of pieces in this edition will, it is hoped, stimulate renewed interest in the piano music of Mendelssohn, which is so neglected today. Heinz Walter, Salzburg, Spring 1979A Selection from 6 Children's Pieces (Op. 72) and Songs without Words.
SKU: BT.PWM5294
SKU: HL.49017545
ISBN 9790001149570. UPC: 840126938890. 9.0x12.0x0.075 inches.
Niels Gade (1817-1890), who was born in Copenhagen and spent most of his life there, went to Leipzig in 1843 for further training on a royal scholarship. There he became friends with Robert Schumann and found an eager patron in Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy. He is regarded as the most important figure of the Danish musical scene in the 19th century.His charming cycle 'Der Kinder Christabend' was published in 1859 with titles and texts in Danish. Although the first German edition was published in Leipzig in 1860, the English edition was not published in London until 1880. With his five mood pictures 'Weihnachts-Glocken' - 'Weihnachtsbaum-Einzugs-Marsch' - 'Ringeltanz der Knaben' - 'Tanz der kleinen Madchen' - 'Gute Nacht', Gade portrays the typical atmosphere of a middle-class Christmas evening in the 19th century.