SKU: PA.H04898

ISBN 9790260109803. 31 x 23.5 cm inches.

SKU: PA.H05527

ISBN 9790006573011. 30.7 x 23.4 cm inches.

SKU: PA.H07911

ISBN 9790260104457. 31 x 23.5 cm inches.

Lubos Fiser (1935-1999) was one of the most talented Czech composers of his generation. Born in Prague, he studied at the Prague Conservatoire from 1952-1956 and then at the Academy of Music. He was known to the public for his many film scores but it was his other compositions, many of them written under difficult political conditions, which mark him out as a composer of significance.

Fiser's eight piano sonatas have a special place in his oeuvre. Fiser subsequently eliminated his second sonata (1956) from his compositional repertoire. From the third sonata onwards (1960), subtitled Fantasia, the composer wrote a two-movement composition, in which he continued to incorporate as his fundamental musical device the confrontation of sharp contrasts in tempo and mood. Beginning with his fourth sonata (1962-1964), Fiser created a single-movement work in an expressive, formally focused composition which betrays a progression towards greater compactness of musical shape in a concise yet effective musical testimony. The fifth sonata was written in 1974, the sixth sonata in 1978. The seventh sonata from 1985 was dedicated to Frantisek Maxian, the eighth sonata was written in 1995.

Piano Sonata No.1 was written in 1955. Fiser worked on it during his last year at the Prague Conservatoire under the supervision of Emil Hlobil. The piece is one of Fiser's early works which still respect a traditional compositional approach. Unlike his major and late piano sonatas, this sonata has three movements, each representing the traditional Classical-Romantic form. The sonata was premiered by Fiser's fellow-student and friend Antonin Jemelik in Theatre D34 on 30 January 1956.

The new setting for this piece is based on the single edition to date (SNKLHU, 1957); only with regard to a few inconsistencies in the score was it necessary to consult the composer's manuscript (kept at the National Museum - Czech Museum of Music, acquisition number 297/2006).

SKU: PA.H04612

ISBN 9790260109551. 31 x 23.5 cm inches.

SKU: PA.H01386

ISBN 9790006572885. 30.5 x 23.5 cm inches.

SKU: PA.H02031

ISBN 9790260100657. 31 x 23.5 cm inches.

This cycle of ten piano miniatures by Jan Hanus is intended for the youngest pianists; an age group for which it is usually very difficult to find adequate recital pieces that would respect not only the mentality of a small child but also its technical level. The titles of the individual pieces (March of the Industrious Ants, Sparrows' Party, Bug is swinging, Musician Cricket and others) already give a good picture of the inventive, humorous and, to certain extent, programme compositions in which one can easily feel the atmosphere incorporated in their titles. Individual compositions are supplemented with lovely illustrations by Daniela Zichova which surely makes the experience of playing the pieces even more enjoyable.

SKU: PA.H03305

ISBN 9790006571963. 31 x 24 cm inches.