Carl Maria von Weber's fame rests mainly on ?Der Freischütz'. The unprecedented success of this opera overshadowed all his other works and contributed to their increasing fall into oblivion. Certain works such as ?Preciosa', ?Oberon', and ?Euryanthe', the overtures, solo concertos and piano sonatas, the lieder and chamber works enjoyed great popularity and were widely known in Germany and abroad as late as the second half of the 19th century. However, any chance of a revival of Weber's influential and substantial oeuvre was wasted in the 1920s, when a complete edition - begun by Hans Joachim Moser and with potential contributors including Wilhelm Kempff, Hans Pfitzner, Max von Schillings, Fritz Stein and Richard Strauss - failed after the third volume.Ever since there have been numerous attempts to restart a complete edition of Weber's works, but as this kind of project would have required the co-operation of scholars from both sides of the inter-German border, the political situation after 1945 was not conducive to any such enterprise. Careful negotiations led to the first tangible steps in the 1980s. The intention, right from the beginning, was to place Weber's work in context, and not to separate his musical output from his influential work as a writer, critic and organiser in the musical field, but to publish his compositions together with his letters, diaries and other literary output as the best way to document the cross-fertilisation between his musical, literary and practical activities.Since the German re-unification both working-parties concerned - at the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin, and at the Musikwissenschaftliches Seminar, Detmold/Paderborn - have co-operated on the complete edition of the musical works (c. 45 volumes in 10 series: sacred music - cantatas, odes and other occasional works - stage works - lieder and vocal works - orchestral works - chamber music - music for piano - piano reductions - miscellanea, arrangements and orchestrations - works of doubtful attribution). The diaries (6-8 vols.) are edited in Berlin and the letters (8-10 vols.) and other writings (2 vols.) in Detmold. This complete edition aims to be a reliable basis of scholarly debate as well as for the authentic performance practice of Carl Maria von Weber's music. Conforming to the standards of recent historico-critical editions, the textual material will be based on all available authentic sources, accompanied by a detailed documentation of the genesis and a list of variants for each work. The musicological importance of the works will be evaluated by placing them in their historical context, the presentation of their genesis, history and Critical Commentaries. The letters, writings and diaries will be treated as inter-related and relevant to each other in the commentaries, therefore readers should benefit from a wealth of concise information and cross-references. / Piano

Par DOBRZYNSKI IGNACY FELIKS. Ignacy Feliks Dobrzynski wrote eight nocturnes for piano. Five of them were published in 1833–1834 in two books as Opp. 21 and 24, while the remainder appeared in various occasional collections issued much later. The Nocturne in A major was written in 1846 and belongs to the group of works composed by Dobrzynski during his tour of German cities. That tour was designed to increase the composer’s popularity and boost his finances. Besides concerts and meetings promoting Dobrzynski’s music, the ‘marketing campaign’ also included the publication of his new salon miniatures in particular cities. This Nocturne appeared in print in Berlin as Op. 52, together with a short mazurka constituting a transcription of the earlier song ‘Gdzie lubi’ (‘A fickle maid’). The form of this piece is based on an A-B-A1 scheme typical of the genre, with a quite elaborate epilogue. In section A, the composer based the melody on a one-bar motif in mazurka rhythm, which he combined with a bass led in widely spread chords, often used in nocturnes. He thus obtained a specifically idyllic mood. The sonorities, the type of melody and texture and, above all, the ornaments that appear as the work progresses bring to mind the early work of Fryderyk Chopin. The chordal section B, of lively expression, in the key of F sharp minor and a uniform triple rhythm, triggers associations with the middle section of Chopin’s Nocturne in A flat major, Op. 32 No. 2. After a short bridge, the reprise comprises a reiteration of the opening part of section A, which then passes into the epilogue, in which the composer splices motifs from both contrasting sections. It is difficult to date the second Nocturne published here and to establish the circumstances surrounding its composition. It was published posthumously (in 1868, in Warsaw), in the Album Pamiatkowe IG.F. Dobrzynskiego (‘Souvenir album of I. F. Dobrzynski’), which also contained two mazurkas, two songs and an excerpt from his incidental music for the play Konrad Wallenrod arranged for four hands. These compositions were not previously published and probably come from private collections. The Nocturne carries a dedication to Miss Wanda Miecznikowska. Determining the principal key of this work is rather problematic, since it falls into two tonally and expressively contrasting sections, divided by a lengthy caesura. An agitated, emotional episode in F minor (in A-B-A1 form, section B in A flat major), ending with a distinct conclusion, is followed, rather unexpectedly, by completely new material in the key of F major; adhering to a slower tempo and of very restrained expression, it serves as a sort of post scriptum, a lengthy and calming musical commentary to the foregoing segment. One may even gain the impression that this Nocturne is essentially a diptych consisting of two separate ‘songs without words’. Judging by its style, which is close to the lyric writing of Franz Schubert, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy or John Field, with elements of the style brillant, this work could have been written earlier than the Nocturne in A major. One may also discern here a certain melodic-rhythmic similarity to the above-mentioned Nocturne in A flat major by Chopin. Both these Dobrzynski mazurkas could make interesting additions to the repertoire of both professional pianists and more advanced amateurs interested in nineteenth-century salon music. They may also enrich the programmes of concerts and broadcasts, particularly those devoted to Polish music, and also be included on the curricula of secondary schools of music. The present edition was based on the first editions. The proposed fingering in both works and the pedalling in the Nocturne in A major are entirely the work of the editors; other editorial performance markings are given in brackets. / Répertoire / Piano

Par DOBRZYNSKI IGNACY FELIKS. Dobrzynski’s Two Mazurkas are worthy of pianists’ attention. Despite the considerable simplification of means and the use of a conventional form, the composer succeeded in creating miniatures not devoid of charm, elegance and a certain unpretentious freshness. Their performance does not require advanced skill, so they may represent valuable additions to the repertoire for older pupils of primary schools of music, at the same time preparing them to play more difficult nineteenth-century miniatures, including the mazurkas of Chopin. Dobrzynski’s mazurkas are also undoubtedly worth using in piano teaching as an extra or special item on the secondary-school level, in music clubs and in amateur performance. Finally, they may also find a place in cultural, patriotic or occasional events of various kinds as examples of Polish music of the period under the Partitions. The present edition is based on the first edition from 1868. A few noticeable errors have been corrected. The proposed fingering and pedalling come entirely from the editors, and added performance markings are given in brackets./ Répertoire / Piano

- This is a reduction of a chamber work that Cage did for rehearsal and occasional performance with Cunningham Company. It was discovered by Walter Zimmerman in the Cage Collection at the New York Public Library. Zimmerman has edited. It is considered a major find.- For more on John Cage, please click on his name, above ... / Piano

Par ARCHER DARRELL. When a prelude or offertory is played, it is obvious when the congregation occasionally gets ?swept away? and becomes intensely involved in the spirit of the music. Some may even begin to clap their hands in response to a favorite rhythmic hymn, gospel tune or anthem. With its messages of hope, resurrection and redemption, the music of the Easter season is a source of great joy and celebration for Christian believers. This collection presents the thrill and excitement of the Easter message through creative and engaging keyboard arrangements composed in the country/gospel style. Chord symbols are offered above the grand staff so that rhythm backup players can be included, and as an aid to those with improvising skills.While these melodies communicate the good news of the gospel, some of the arrangements are more subdued and reflective, while others are more energetic and upbeat. / Date parution : 2022-06-08/ Recueil / Piano

A rolling, repeated legato left hand pattern provides the feel of rolling bus tires, while the right hand tells the story and adds occasional 'honks' to signal the children to climb aboard. Late elementary students will enjoy playing this song even more than taking the bus to school! / Piano

This set of entertaining pieces in a jazz/blues style was written especially for children. Imaginative lyrics convey the blues spirit of life's ups and downs to the early grade student. Pieces remain in middle C position with an occasional sharp or flat. No eighth notes or dotted rhythms are used. / Piano

Dennis Alexander a écrit un morceau vivant, dansant qui se déplace partout dans le clavier. En temps de coupe, ce solo nécessite comptage attention, et une attention particulière aux détails aidera à identifier et à exécuter les articulations variées. Son vif, nature rythmique est représentée par des accords staccato et syncope. Arpèges lisses dans la basse donnent un peu de piquant et d'intérêt, et les accents occasionnels fournissent zeste supplémentaire à cette pièce presto. / Piano