![]() In all cases the duets are presented with secondo and primo parts on facing pages, which is certainly my personal preference for practical purposes.Īs can equally be said of the solo pieces, the notation engraving has superb clarity, and the scores are nicely spaced on the page. Schubert’s own Kindermarsch D.928 and Marcia in C minor D.818 meanwhile are more substantial pieces, each occupying four pages and well-suited to the more confident duet player while presenting few unexpected challenges. ![]() The eight Ländler arrangements are particularly spot on for established intermediate players, accessible and good humoured, in most cases just half a page long. ![]() Nevertheless, these pieces exude the same insouciant charm as the solo pieces which precede them in the book. Given the scope and quality of Schubert’s writing for piano duets, it might seem surprising that this repertoire is mostly represented here by the later arrangements of Johannes Brahms. Let’s be clear: every piece here is a marvel, a study in Schubert’s genius for creating poetry in miniature these gems surely merit prominence in our teaching repertoire, every one of them a joy to play while equally packed with pedagogic gains and technical challenges which are essential for the developing classical player. The Ecossaise in C (and old Grade 2 favourite), German Dance in A (recently a popular Grade 3 choice), Waltz in B minor (a Grade 5 charm), Moment musical in F minor (Grade 6) and Impromptu in A flat (presently a Grade 8 piece) are all here, along with dozens of equally fine pieces patiently awaiting another day in the sun. That such an important and popular composer wrote so many incidental piano pieces is hardly a surprise, but seeing them brought together in this collection certainly serves as an important reminder of the wealth of wonderful repertoire that, overshadowed by Schubert’s great concert works, could perhaps too easily be overlooked.Ī closer inspection reveals many old chestnuts here, familiar from their past inclusion in graded exams and assorted repertoire collections. This seems to me a balanced and ideal selection, bringing together familiar favourites with an abundance of other music to showcase the range and brilliance of Schubert’s piano writing for intermediate to early advanced players. Ländler (8 pieces from D.366, arranged Brahms).Moments Musicaux in F minor, D.780/3 and A flat major, D.780/2.Waltzes (11 pieces, mostly from D.365 but also including the Graz Waltz D.924).Ohmen expands on the significance of Schubert’s musical achievements, delivers a timeline of his short life, and without further ado we arrive at the main contents listing for the book, which reveals that the pieces are grouped according to genre as follows: I rather believe that it is this magical blend of the Classical style and Romantic spirit which lies at the heart of Schubert’s huge appeal. “Franz Schubert was the last of the Viennese Classicists, following on from Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, though his music already points the way forward to Romanticism…” In his Preface, the collection’s compiler and editor Wilhelm Ohmen reminds us that, His solo Sonatas, Impromptus and duo Fantasy in F minor have become mainstays of recital halls and classical recording labels alike, unique treasures prized by music-lovers around the world.īut what of Schubert’s smaller piano works? What did he write for the less advanced player? And how can the developing pianist best encounter his music? These are questions which My First Schubert goes some considerable way to addressing. The latest addition to the series is devoted to the music of Franz Schubert, delivering 37 solo pieces and 10 duets, and seems to me another immediate winner… Introducing Schubert…įew would dispute the point that Franz Schubert’s contribution to the piano repertoire is among the most sublime. Each of these publications delivers a generous mixture of classics and lesser-known pieces, beautifully presented within (and on cream paper) and freshly edited by Wilhelm Ohmen. I have previously been very impressed with My First Beethoven ( reviewed here), Haydn ( here), Schumann ( here) and Tchaikovsky ( here). ![]() With their combination of covers that resemble childrens’ storybooks and content that includes music up to Grade 8 and beyond, they equally suit child prodigies and older players with a self-deprecating sense of fun. Schott Music’s My First Composers collections continue to prove one of the most quirkily enjoyable series of recent years. Products featured here are selected for review by ANDREW EALES
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