Although almost unanimously condemned by contemporary Parisian critics for its overt sexuality and graphic final scene Carmen ultimately reached the public in a way that perhaps no other opera has. Bizet's aim (with Meilhac and Halevy who wrote the libretto) had been to transform the flaccid moralistic bourgeois genre of opéra comique into a more sophisticated type of staged work and he seems to have suceeded in Carmen. Each character has a musical significance and a unique expressive idiom the ultimate example being the dangerous exotic sensual Carmen herself depicted by an exotic and sinewy chromatic motive that also implies the insurmountable power of fate. Ina classic plot device she is contrasted with the 'good girl' of the opera Micaela whose main aria is set in the ternary form of the elevated bel canto French Grand Opera aria to imply her traditionally 'ladylike' retiring nature. Don José's musical styles reflect different levels in his descent from dutiful soldier to the underworld of obsession. This is the Schirmer edition of the Vocal Score with an English translation by Ruth and Thomas Martin.

This book presents 375 of J.S. Bach's surviving chorale harmonizations with singable English translations of the original German text by choral conductor Henry S. Drinker. Printed in an easy-to-read format this edition wasdesigned to facilitate both analysis of Bach's musical genius in voice leading and renewed performance of these works by congregations. It is hoped that this user-friendly edition will inspire students and congregations alike totake a fresh look at this priceless musical treasure. Today they remain some of the finest examples of voice leading and harmonic movement making them appropriate study material for any student of music theory and harmony.Chorales are also the root of traditional hymnody especially from the Lutheran tradition. The chorales were originally text and melody sung a cappella and were for congregational singing. Chorales were set in four parts forchoir use and are still appropriate for performance in worship services today. Many of the melodies will be familiar to those who sing traditional hymns. Choirs will love singing these beautifully written settings.

Long esteemed as counterpoint's greatest master, Johann Sebastian Bach created harmonizations of chorales that have served as voice-leading models for generations. This affordable volume features 371 of the composer's harmonized chorales, presented in closed score for easy study as well as play. These traditional liturgical melodies in four-voice arrangements comprise Gregorian chant melodies that survived the Reformation to form part of Protestant worship as well as traditional German melodies that found their way into services. A staple of every music program, Bach?s chorales spell out the rules of music theory that remain the cornerstones of modern composition. These closed score arrangements, ideal for playing at the piano, offer keyboardists an opportunity to practice their sight-reading skills. Students of counterpoint and harmony will find this collection of enormous theoretical importance, and all will appreciate the practical value of its modest price.

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 Antonín Jemelík 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). H 7911, ISMN 979-2601-0445-7

Hungarian Dances: Volume 1 contains 10 of Johannes Brahms 21 Hungarian Dances that really capture the passion of Hungarian gypsy music. Performance notes helpful fingering suggestions ornament realizations and a wealth of historical background are also provided with this fantastic book of traditional Hungarian Dances.

About this book - Duet Collection 1: Duet Collection 1 provides 26 fun duets explicitly linked to the levels of progression (starting with beginners) found in Method Book 1.It comes with a CD on which you can listen to all the pieces performed on a grand piano by professional concert pianists. The CD also contains the accompaniments alone so that you can play your part along as a duet with the CD!This book is a great supplement to Method Book 1 giving you further enjoyable pieces which will help your learning at each stage of your development.In line with The Classical Piano Method these duets are drawn mainly from the classical repertoire and also include a number of modernpieces in interesting and varied arrangements with straightforward accompaniments ideal for a teacher or friend.This book is of course also a very useful standalone collection of progressively-graded duet repertoire in its own right providing relevant repertoire as the pianist’s playing develops. Suitable for pianists in the early stages of learning to play.About The Classical Piano Method:This is ideal for adults and young people looking to learn the piano from scratch or for those returning to the piano after a substantial break from playing. As the learner you will gain a traditional classic technique and will be introduced to interesting varied and well-known classical pieces right from the outset. The method is friendly and is carefully designed to progress in small manageable steps beginning with simple fingering patterns and exercises moving onto some of the most beautiful melodies and pieces from the baroque classical and romantic eras: such as the Ode to Joy Für Elise and the Blue Danube Waltz. The Method Books lead you through a range of exercises repertoire pieces to learn theory checks clear instruction & diagrams on playing and technique tips on practising and composer biographies. They also enclose a CD on which you can listen to all the pieces performed on a grand piano by a concert pianist as

The large and technically demanding G major Sonata was composed two years before Schubert?s death in October 1826 and is one of only three piano sonatas that appeared in print during his lifetime. The unusual title of the first edition ?Fantasie, Andante, Menuetto und Allegretto? stems from the publisher Haslinger and is probably due to the dreamy-melancholy underlying mood of the first movement which corresponded little to the traditional concepts of a sonata?s first movement. It is hardly surprising that the ?Fantasy-Sonata?, as it is often still called today, later inspired artists such as Franz Liszt and Robert Schumann with its free and romantic nature, who described it as being consummate ?in form and spirit?. For the present Urtext edition a thorough re-examination of all known sources was undertaken, including the autograph in the British Library, and the edition now presents itself with the usual crystal clear Henle music engraving. The preface by Schubert expert Andrea Lindmayr-Brandl and the detailed commentary section provide comprehensive information about the genesis of the work, the sources and their readings. A further highlight are the fingerings by pianist Martin Helmchen.

This volume contains two of Beethoven's most loved and widely performed piano concertos printed in the traditional format for two pianos: Piano I is the solo part; Piano II a piano reduction of the orchestral score. Edited by Franz Kullak.

This traditional setting of Adolph Adam's timeless carol will develop precise listening for dynamics balance and phrasing. Appropriate for church use. Arranged by Beatrice A. Miler for 2 Pianos Eight hands (Double Piano Duet).

Additional books to complement the tutor for adults and young people Play the Piano! Levels 1 & 2 are now available providing specially arranged favourite pieces in keeping with the technical level attained by the end of each course book. Whilst still under Mike's guiding hand here is the chance for players to explore and enjoy more beautiful music in a variety of styles confident that the technical levels are within their capabilities. Includes popular classics by Purcell Handel Bach Mozart Grieg Humperdinck Schumann Chopin Rimsky-Korsakov Brahms Elgar and more. Also included are traditional folksong favourites along with selections of Jazzy Latin and Ragtimepieces by Scott Joplin Mike Cornick and Duke Ellington.

Debussy's music can be daunting to beginning pianists: his abstract sense of composition sometimes makes listeners feel lost the harmonies are more chromatic than traditional works and often his use of advanced keysis beyond the grasp of even more experienced players. This compilation however makes the composer's works highly accessible to beginning pianists.These introductory arrangements focus on Debussy's melodies andstyle. The more abstract works are excerpted and presented in manageable samples and the keys are simplified. Suggested fingerings are also provided. Beginning pianists will be able to enjoy a wide variety of works thatpreviously seemed unapproachable: 'Claire de Lune ' 'Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun ' 'Beau Soir ' 'Danse Bohémienne ' and many other etudes preludes and melodies. Best of all freedownloadable MP3s of each piece will familiarize players with the music.**Please note: The CD included with this title can only be played through an MP3 compatible program.**

Frédéric Chopin is known worldwide as one of the leading musicians of the Romantic era. This collection of Mazurkas features all 57 of the Polish virtuoso pianist?s works written inthis genre for the solo Piano. Chopin started composing his mazurkas in 1825 and continued composing them until 1849 the year of his death. His Mazurkas while originating in the Polish dance(the ?mazurek?) differ from the traditional variety in that they were written for the concert hall rather than the dance hall so that it was Chopin who put the mazurka on the European musical map. Thesemazurkas signalled new ideas of nationalism and influenced and inspired other composers to support their national music. This Urtext edition is based on many different sources and follows the current state of research topresent the pieces in a form as close to the original intentions of the composer as possible. The comments at the end of the volume give detailed information about the sources and their deviations and an appendix with the firstversions of certain works is also included. Most of the pieces are quite brief and thus perfect for any skilled pianist?s repertoire.

Editor's Choice-The Piano Bench Of Classical Music is designed to be the cornerstone of your personal music library. This tremendous piano collection contains 400 pages of great music literature specially selected and edited for thepianist who loves classical music. No other single volume can provide the wealth of exquisite piano selections contained within these pages. Here you will find the world's greatest inventions movements nocturnes valses mazurkas intermezzos romantic short pieces impressionist works and light classics - as well as the most rewarding traditional arrangements of themes from the great symphonies chamber works operas and ballets by the mastercomposers of the past four centuries.

The introductory theme of the Variations op. 41 takes the form of a jazzed-up rendition of the opening solo bassoon motif from Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring and the whole set of variations encompasses Kapustin's style in microcosm. Every conceivable mainstream jazz influence is to be found in this work evoking memories of Count Basie and Erroll Garner amongst others while all the time subjecting itself to traditional classical form. In particular the last four pages contain some of Kapustin's most exciting music.

Grade 4-The Grade By Grade series draws on the rich and varied Boosey & Hawkes catalogue of classical contemporary and educational repertoire highlighting composers including Serge Prokofieff Dmitri Shostakovich Karl Jenkins Carol Barratt and Christopher Norton alongside arrangements of traditional music from around the world by Peter Wastall Vera Gray and others.Carefully selected by Iain Farrington this practical anthology provides the complete repertoire resource for the aspiring Grade 4 pianist and creates the perfect package for teaching exam preparation and performance.Each volume contains:* a diverse collection of pieces each complemented by a useful practice andperformance tip * grade-appropriate scales and arpeggios linked to the repertoire through bespoke text and exercises * brand new sight-reading and improvisation activities * newly-commissioned aural awareness tasks Packaged with a CD of full performance demonstrations and grade-appropriate aural awareness resources.Iain Farrington has an exceptionally busy and diverse career as a pianist organist composer and arranger. He has performed across the world notably at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics and has worked with many leading musicians including Bryn Terfel and Sir Paul McCartney. As a composer Iain’s music has been performed recorded and broadcast worldwide and his wide-ranging catalogue of arrangements receives regular international performances.