The Italian Giovanni Sgambati received music tuition from an early age and gave his first public concert performances as a child. When Liszt came to Rome in 1861, Sgambati became his student. At the opening of the Sala Dante in 1966 he conducted Liszt's Dante Symphony and later travelled with him to Munich, where he also became acquainted with Richard Wagner's music. Sgambati's first song album was published by Schott in 1870, followed by many piano works, chamber works, symphonies and church music compositions. The transcription 'Melodie de Gluck', published in 1881 (plate number 23209), is dedicated to the 'Dance of the Blessed Spirits', a ballet in the second act of the opera 'Orfeo ed Euridice', and is still a popular encore piece by pianists including Evgeny Kissin and Yuja Wang.

English ? German.

To mark its 250th anniversary, the Schott publishing house has dug up and reedited treasures from its historical publishing archives. This anthology is aimed at professional musicians and advanced amateurs interested in interesting new discoveries off the standard repertoire. It mainly contains works from the Romantic era: virtuoso pièces de résistance and encores, expressive character pieces, gems of salon music or elaborate arrangements of well-known (opera) melodies. Many of the original compositions and arrangements were written by major piano virtuosos of the 19th century. "The book has been excellently produced?the clarity of the notation is exceptional?Schott?s Joy of Music will surely appeal to any advanced player looking for less familiar gems, delivering rarified treasures aplenty!" ? Andrew Eales, Pianodao.

All music evokes memories and classical pieces are no exception. Many piano students have wondered what prompted Edward MacDowell to write "To a Wild Rose." Listening to "The Swan" from Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saens, so tender, helps us channel our inner ballet dancer. "Evening Prayer" from Engelbert Humperdinck's opera Hansel and Gretel recalls the story of two scared children lost in a forest. And it's no surprise that the melody of Alexander Borodin's "Polovetsian Dance No. 1" was a perfect fit for the popular song "Stranger in Paradise" from the Broadway musical Kismet.

About the arranger: Brenda Dillon is best known for her contributions to the Recreational Music Making movement. She served on the RMM Committee that designed the RMM Track for MTNA's Pedagogy Saturday. She also presented group piano and RMM sessions throughout the U.S. In addition to serving as a teacher trainer, she has written extensive articles on both group piano and RMM teaching. She has publications with Hal Leonard and Alfred Music listed on her website (www.brendadillon.com).