Masterpieces for Piano

Mendelssohn • Masterpieces

Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales
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Edition Peters’ Masterpieces for Piano series launched last year with three initial titles devoted to the great keyboard works of Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert, expertly compiled by Roland Erben and given fresh modern engravings based on the publisher’s esteemed legacy editions.

Each of the beautifully presented bumper books in the series so far offers a significant selection of core repertoire, suitable for (predominantly) early advanced players. And they proved to be one of the music publishing highlights of the last year.

Now Erben is back, with a volume of music by Clara Schumann coming soon, but firstly a new collection of Felix Mendelssohn’s most popular works. How many of them have you played?

Bearing in mind Mendelssohn’s importance and popularity, it may come as a surprise that in the last ten years of reviewing music on Pianodao, this is the first time I have been sent a new publication of his music for consideration.

Happily, this might be the only one you will ever need. Let’s find out…

Beethoven • Masterpieces

Pianodao Music Library

Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales
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The new Masterpieces for Piano series from Edition Peters has proved one of the most exciting additions to the piano player’s library in recent months, and I have spared no blushes in my praise of the Schubert and Mozart titles.

Compiled by Roland Erben from the publishing house’s iconic Green Series of publications, each of these bumper books appears with an eye-catching cover artwork, newly engraved scores presented on luxury cream paper, and offers a significant cross-section of each composer’s solo music for intermediate to advanced pianists.

Joining the series, Beethoven Masterpieces for Piano is now the third title, completing an initial trilogy (and let’s face it, there is plenty of scope for the series to grow!). Once again, the publication offers a stunningly presented and keenly priced volume of indispensable music, but let’s consider whether it lives up to the excellence of the first two bumper anthologies…

Mozart • Masterpieces

Pianodao Music Library

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…

Schubert • Masterpieces

Pianodao Music Library

Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales
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The consolidation of Edition Peters within Faber Music continues to prove a fruitful alliance with the arrival of a new series, Masterpieces for Piano, bringing together Faber’s penchant for producing bumper anthologies with Edition Peters deep and respected classical catalogue.

The first arrival announcing the series is a stunning new 176-page compendium of music by Franz Schubert.

With selections suitable for players from intermediate to advanced level, taking in easy Ecossaises and other dances, and progressing through Moment Musicals to several popular Impromptus and the complete Sonata in A major Op.120, this could well be the ultimate Schubert collection for enthusiastic adult players and students…