Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales
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When I recently reviewed Edition Peters’ stunning new collection of music by Franz Schubert, I concluded:
“This is an indisputably rich trove of musical treasures from one of the world’s most beloved composers, so those not already familiar with these pieces really need to do themselves a favour and get a copy. There are of course many great, and comprehensive, editions of Schubert’s piano works, but for a compendium that offers such a range, I can think of no equal.”
I mentioned in that review that the Schubert volume was the first of three, and in this review I will consider whether the second, Mozart Masterpieces for Piano, lives up to the same high standards.
This 144-page bumper edition offers 38 works, large and small, and is once again billed as delivering:
“Essential repertoire for intermediate to advanced level pianists.”
With several pieces from the child composer’s early London Notebook, leading to the complete Sonata in C (KV 545), F (KV 280) and A major (KV 331), and the exquisite Adagio in B minor (KV 540), the anthology includes music ranging from around Grade 2 to Associate Diploma level. The full list of pieces follows…
38 Sublime Masterpieces
Just marvel at this outpouring of divine content:
- Minuet in C, KV 6/1
- Contredanse in F, KV 15h
- Minuet in F, KV 2
- Minuet in A flat, KV 15ff
- Minuet in G, KV 1e
- Minuet in C, KV 1f
- Contredanse in A, KV 14l
- Allegro in B flat, KV 3
- Minuet in G, KV15c
- Allegretto in F, KV 15a
- Minuet in B flat, KV 155pp
- Minuet in E flat, KV 15qq
- Andantino in E flat, KV 15mm
- Klavierstück in C, KV 15s
- Klavierstück in E flat, KV 15kk
- Gigue in C minor, KV 15z
- Minuet in D, KV 315a/3
- Minuet in C, KV 315a/4
- Minuet and trio in C, KV 439b
- Andante Cantabile from Sonata No. 10, KV330/2
- Andantino in E flat, KV236
- Courante from Suite, KV 385i
- Fantasy in D minor, KV 397
- Nine Variations on ‘Lison dormait’, KV 264
- 12 Variations on ‘La belle Françoise’, KV 353
- Rondo in A minor, KV 511
- Adagio in C, KV 356
- Minuet in D, KV 355
- Gigue in G, KV 574
- Adagio in B minor, KV 540
- Rondo in D, KV 485
- Eight Variations on ‘Les mariages Samnites’, KV 352
- 12 Variations on ‘Ah vous dirai-je Maman’, KV 265
- Allegro in G minor, KV 312/590d
- Nine Variations on a Minuet by Duport, KV 573
- Sonata in C, KV 545
- Sonata in F, KV 280
- Sonata in A, KV 331
The volume was again compiled by Roland Erben, this time with fresh music settings by John Rogers. These scores are, however, based on the legacy Edition Peters versions, which means that while the engravings have been modernised for a consistent (and superb) presentation, the actual editing has not.
In practice this means that while these are long-respected editions, which happily include consistently helpful and pedagogically sound fingerings throughout, some works (for example, the Sonata in C, KV 545) retain added editorial dynamics, while others (such as the easy pieces from the London Notebook, where editorial additions might be more welcome) have none.
This is a very minor niggle, and those looking for a contemporary urtext edition of Mozart’s piano works will in any case know where to find that. This collection, meanwhile, will appeal to those happy to use a reliable score that includes subtle editorial support.
As seems standard for the series then, Mozart Masterpieces for Piano is aimed at those wanting a beautifully presented, practical performing edition that offers a brilliant and substantial cross-section of the composer’s most popular and accessible solo piano music.
My other observations about the Schubert edition also equally apply: a short composer biography with some background about the music would have been a welcome addition, but the publication as a whole exudes quality, from the matt cover reproduction of Jean Honoré Fragonard’s The Swing, to the luxury cream paper and superb presentation within.
Closing Thoughts
It seems to me likely that enthusiastic pianists, students, and teachers will not only find most of their must-have Mozart in this anthology, but discover works that they have previously overlooked. I can think of no better compilation of this wonderful composer’s piano music.
This modestly priced and supremely useful volume can thus be recommended with very little reservation, and will undoubtedly make a superb addition to the music libraries of many players. This is truly an anthology to savour, and to be musically enriched and elevated by over many years!
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