SKU: BR.EB-8118

ISBN 9790004175019. 9 x 12 inches.

Richard Wagner (1813-1883) is rightly considered as the 19th-century music dramatist whose formal and harmonic originality, for example in Tristan and Isolde, provided a significant impetus to the development of 20th-century music. Despite Wagner's fame, his reuvre for piano remains practically unknown. Tobe sure, these primarily early works and occasional compositions hardly even hint at the outstanding characteristics of the later works such as leit-motifs, flowing transitions or original forms. Nonetheless, whoever is acquainted with Wagner's later music dramas will undoubtedly not fail to be impressed by the individual melodic and harmonic traits of his piano works. The Sonata in B-flat Major Op. 1 is of special interest to us today since it is Wagner's first published work, composed in 1831 and printed in 1832 by Breitkopf & Hartel. At that time, Wagner was studying counterpoint with Theodor Weinlig, the choral master and music director of the Thomasschule in Leipzig. Weinlig, however, only agreed to give Wagner lessons if he promised to refrain from composing for half a year. In the course of his studies, Wagner was allowed to compose the piano sonata in B-flat Major as a kind of journeyman-work. His teacher Weinlig succeeded in having the work published by Breitkopf & Hartel. Hence the dedication of this piece to Weinlig is not surprising, since the 18-year-old Wagner would otherwise have had great difficulty finding a publisher. This Sonata in B-flat Major, which has long been out of print, is a reproduction of the first edition by Breitkopf & Hartel (plate number 10433). For this reprint, obvious typographical errors have been corrected (missing or wrong accidentals and dynamic indications). The work presents a four-movement classical sonata form and is stylistically reminiscent of Mozart and Beethoven. Shortly before composing this sonata, Wagner wrote a piano reduction of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, which was easily playable and yet gratifying to hear. This helps explain the octave-doublings typical of piano reductions. Wiesbaden, Fall 1980

Respectfully dedicated to Theodor Weinlig, the choral master and music director of the Thomasschule in Leipzig.

SKU: TM.03919SC

Act II.

SKU: BR.BV-410

ISBN 9783765104107. 5.5 x 8.5 inches. German.

With the publication of Volume 11 in November 1999, Werner Breig's fundamentally new scholarly concept begins to make itself felt more strongly. All editorial differences aside: with respect to their contents, Volumes 9-11 can be neatly categorized as the Tristan letters volumes, the genesis of each act of Tristan und Isolde can be assigned to one specific chronological section. Wagner was working on the first act (beginnung his correspondance with Mathilde Wesendonck at the same time) in Zurich during the period of the letters compiled in Volume 9. Volume 10 plays in Venice and documents the origin of the second act. And in Volume 11, the reader can relive the completion of the epoch-making stage work in the letters Wagner sent from Lucerne. Concerning this Volume we have obtained the following fax by the English Wagner expert Stewart Spencer, who wittily praises Werner Breig's fundamental new concept: There is a general problem of reviewing such magnificent volumes. They are the yardstick by which all other writings on Wagner will be judged. It is like sending someone to inspect the standard metre rule in Paris and asking them to review it. All one can say is that it exists and that it is in a class of its own. I'd like to congratulate you on its publication and thank you most warmly for picking up this edition. (Stewart Spencer, October 11, 2000).

SKU: VD.ED13823

ISBN 9790202028230. 12 x 9 inches.