Following the success of the first volume of Best of Piano Classics (ED 9060), Schott now presents another collection with a selection of 40 arrangements of popular classical masterpieces for the discerning amateur pianist to use over the years.

The contents include great works from Bach to Gershwin, ranging from chamber music, symphonies and concertos through to opera. This selection of musical favourites presents the best known and loveliest pieces of classical music from the Baroque era through to the 20th Century, from 'Air' to 'Rhapsody in Blue'. With fingerings, tempo and pedal suggestions added, these appealing arrangements for advanced players are in easy to read modern printed scores.

Recommended not only for tuition purposes, but for all those who enjoy playing the piano in their leisure time.

The official sheet music edition of the same-named CD album Piano Songbook (Sony Classical). Includes arrangements and fantasies of popular works, ranging from baroque to romantic as well as own compositions by Martin Stadtfeld. Easy to intermediate difficulty - ideal for young pianists and returnees to the piano.

The works collected in this volume have accompanied me through my life. In difficult times, this music gives me stability and certainty.

The arrangements are partly free and subjective and distil what is essential for me. The motto was: as few notes as possible. This was also what I aspired to achieve in my 10 compositions in the third part. This means that most pieces can be used in piano lessons. Even those who return to the piano after a long time can pick up where they left off with these pieces. I hope that many people playing them will feel what I felt when making this volume: contemplation, absorption, inner strength.

(Martin Stadtfeld)