Old Russian Composers. 111 Masterpieces. In Four Voiumes. Vol.I

A ballet in four acts Instrument : piano Nombre de Pages : 32 The series 'Get to Know Classical Masterpieces' presents popular compositions in easy piano arrangements by Hans-Günter Heumann, the latest edition in this series being Tchaikovsky's famous ballet opera Swan Lake. The present edition, with explanatory texts and fully coloured illustrations, is aimed at young and adult pianists alike. The easy-to-play arrangements and original pieces provide an ideal introduction to the music of Tchaikovsky. Content : Biography of the composer: P.I. Tchaikovsky - History of the work: Swan Lake - The story of the ballet - Waltz/A grand ball for Prince Siegfried - Pas de deux/Prince Siegfried dances with a ballerina - Scene/The swans fly over the palace grounds - Dance of the swans - Dance of the cygnets - Scene/Greeting the guests at the grand ball - Waltz/Siegfried dances with the bridal candidates - Three dances by the swan maidens: 1. Russian Dance - 2. Neapolitan Dance - 3. Mazurka

Interestingly there are two different versions of Prokofiev’s second piano concerto the first written between 1912 and 1913 the second written in 1923. However during the Russian Civil War the original manuscript of the Concerto was destroyed in a fire in Prokofiev’s apartment in St. Petersburg. In 1923 he recreated the score from memory effectively composing the second edition of the work which was very different. Prokofiev wrote to a friend: I have so completely rewritten the second concerto that it might be considered the fourth (his third piano concerto having been written in the meantime).At the time of composition the concerto's wild temperamentleft some exalted whereas others were horrified by the jarring and at the time futuristic sound. Today however it is generally recognised as a masterpiece and is one of the most virtuosic works in the piano concerto repertoire.Available here is the Hawkes Pocket Score edition (No.877) of Prokoviev’s virtuosic Piano Concerto No.2 in G minor Op.16 and is ideal for study and perusal usage.