SCHUMANN CLARA - ROMANTIC PIANO MUSIC VOL.1

Selected and with an Introduction by Nancy B. Reichs-Among the leading pianists of the 19th century Clara Schumann was a respected published composer in her lifetime regarded by her contemporaries as a member of the avant-garde 'new romantic' school. Praised by such greats as Chopin Brahms Mendelssohn and Liszt her music is being heard again today in recitals and new recordings. This rare collection reproduced mainly from the classic Breitkopf and Hartel edition of 1879 is introduced by Dr.Nancy B. Reich.

Clara Wieck’s sincerest wish was that her future husband Robert Schumann turn his extraordinary genius toward the larger and more challenging task of composing orchestral music. Confiding in her diary in 1839 just one year before her marriage she explained that “it would be best if he composed for Orchestra: his imagination cannot find sufficient scope in the Piano…” In the years that followed their marriage Robert Schumann continued to devote much of his attention to Piano music but he also found the time to comply with his beloved Clara’s wish by creating a number of musical pieces composed specifically for Piano andOrchestra. Although Schumann’s genius is most in evidence in his masterful solo Piano compositions and superb lieder his lively and provocative imagination manifests itself with equal aplomb in the works composed for Piano and Orchestra. The same compelling romantic and lyrical qualities that captivate lovers of Schumann’s Piano music are evident in these compositions. Three of his finest are presented here in full score including the A Minor Piano Concerto one of the most popular and frequently performed concertos ever written. All demonstrate his remarkably innovative approach to music diverting substantially from the classic models of the day and display his immense creativity as well as his warmth and sensitivity. Included in this collection of Schumann’s compositions for Piano and Orchestra are: Piano Concerto In A minor Op. 54 (published 1846) Concertstück Op.92 (Introduction and Allegro appassionato; published 1852) Introduction and Allegro Op. 134 (published 1855) These three works by one of the greatest masters of romanticism will delight musicians music lovers and students as well as devotees of Schumann. Pianists will be especially pleased to have these appealing Schumann works in one convenient edition available at

With opuses 1 2 4 5 and 10 this volume contains virtually all of Johannes Brahms??? early piano oeuvre with which the budding composer and pianist introduced himself to the public. The Scherzo op. 4 from 1851 stands alongside the sonatas composed between 1851???53 as a substantial single movement that particularly delighted Robert Schumann leading him to direct the public???s special attention to his young colleague in his famous article ???New Paths??? in 1853. Written the following year the Four Ballades op. 10 complete the volume. Already they strike a new more Romantic note that Brahms described to Clara Schumann thus: ???They are not very difficult and even less difficult tounderstand???. This Urtext edition offers a revision of the musical text based on the new Brahms Complete Edition with an extensive preface by editor Katrin Eich. With opuses 1 2 4 5 and 10 this volume contains virtually all of Johannes Brahms??? early piano oeuvre with which the budding composer and pianist introduced himself to the public. The Scherzo op. 4 from 1851 stands alongside the sonatas composed between 1851???53 as a substantial single movement that particularly delighted Robert Schumann leading him to direct the public???s special attention to his young colleague in his famous article ???New Paths??? in 1853. Written the following year the Four Ballades op. 10 complete the volume. Already they strike a new more Romantic note that Brahms described to Clara Schumann thus: ???They are not very difficult and even less difficult tounderstand???. This Urtext edition offers a revision of the musical text based on the new Brahms Complete Edition with an extensive preface by editor Katrin Eich.

'Yet you a man have sensed in these songs a depth which hardly the most knowing female heart can feel!' Thus an admirer wrote to Robert Schumann concerning his song cycle Frauenliebe Und Leben.Schumann’s empathy with the highly romantic inflections of Adelbert von Chamisso‘s poetry may also have arisen from the circumstances that prompted this cycle for it was written during one of the happiest periods of hislife just before his marriage to Clara Wieck. Ever since its initial publication Frauenliebe Und Leben has been immensely popular with male and female singers alike. Now it appears for the first time in a Henleurtext edition equally well-suited for medium male or female voice (mezzo soprano or baritone).

Clara Wieck’s sincerest wish was that her future husband, Robert Schumann, turn his extraordinary genius toward the larger and more challenging task of composing orchestral music. Confiding in her diary in 1839, just one year before her marriage, she explained that “it would be best if he composed for Orchestra: his imagination cannot find sufficient scope in the Piano…” In the years that followed their marriage Robert Schumann continued to devote much of his attention to Piano music, but he also found the time to comply with his beloved Clara’s wish by creating a number of musical pieces composed specifically for Piano and Orchestra. Although Schumann’s genius is most in evidence in his masterful solo Piano compositions and superb lieder, his lively and provocative imagination manifests itself with equal aplomb in the works composed for Piano and Orchestra. The same compelling romantic and lyrical qualities that captivate lovers of Schumann’s Piano music are evident in these compositions. Three of his finest are presented here in full score, including the A Minor Piano Concerto, one of the most popular and frequently performed concertos ever written. All demonstrate his remarkably innovative approach to music, diverting substantially from the classic models of the day, and display his immense creativity as well as his warmth and sensitivity. Included in this collection of Schumann’s compositions for Piano and Orchestra are: Piano Concerto In A minor, Op. 54 (published 1846) Concertstück, Op.92 (Introduction and Allegro appassionato; published 1852) Introduction and Allegro, Op. 134 (published 1855) These three works by one of the greatest masters of romanticism will delight musicians, music lovers and students, as well as devotees of Schumann. Pianists will be especially pleased to have these appealing Schumann works in one convenient edition available at an affordable price.

[Romantische Klaviermusik - Band 2 : Mittelschwere Kompositionen] / Classique / Editeur : Franzpeter Goebels / Partition / Agrafé / Edition Urtext

The tradition of piano duet recitals began during the eighteenth century. It was highlighted in concerts throughout Europe by Mozart and his sister Nannerl. Most of the great composers of the Classic and Romantic eras contributedto the four-hand repertoire. In the nineteenth century when the vogue of this particularly intimate art reached its peak such musicians as Schubert Mendelssohn Brahms and Clara Schumann were outstanding participants bothas composers and performers. Piano duet recitals were heard less often during the first half of this century but in recent years there has been a strong revival of interest in four-hand performances.

Schumann’s Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in A Minor Op. 54 is fine example of Romanticism and has a dynamic mood like much of his work. There is a sober atmosphere though dignified melody runs throughout but overall a unified and structured piece that broke away from the trend for virtuosic displays. Completed in 1845 when he appended two movements to the revised Fantasie; it is one of a handful of larger works by Schumann. The finished concerto premiered on New Year's Day of 1846 by the composer's wife and pianist Clara Wieck Schumann. Eulenberg's celebrated and highly authoritative miniature score is the definitive reference source for study performancepreparation or simply for those with a love of the great orchestral works.