Schumann - Brahms - Kirchner

With the new Urtext Primo series, the Wiener Urtext Edition wants to close the gap arising at the point of transition to additional lessons after having studied a piano method. Beginning with a performance level which is outlined by pieces such as Bach's Minuet in G (BWV Anh. 116), Mozart's Minuet in F (KV 5) or Schumann's Wilder Reiter (Op. 68/8), works by three different composers are selected for each volume of the Urtext Primo series, with the aim of offering piano pupils (or even adults who want to resume piano playing) a wide range of repertoire pieces on the basis of which they can enhance their technical and musical skills. The pieces' range of levels of difficulty is relatively narrow so that the volume can be used continuously over a period of about two years. This is what distinguishes the Urtext Primo approach from almost all common anthologies. The selected repertoire takes into account not only pieces of the classic canon of lessons, but also lesser known works which are in no way of less importance for piano lessons. The Urtext Primo volumes are published in the internationally recognised standard of the Wiener Urtext editions. The explanations included in each volume shall help to deepen the knowledge of musical styles, music history and piano playing. A repertoire chart at the end of each volume gives a rough overview of the levels of difficulty of the selected pieces.

Volume 4 combines works of the German Romanticism by Schumann, Brahms and Theodor Kirchner. Apart from well known pieces from Schumann's 'Album for the Youth' and the easiest waltzes from opus 39 (in the easier version) by Brahms, the selection contains the attractive set of variations from Schumann's first Youth Sonata Op. 118/1 and Brahms’ Saraband in A minor WoO 5/1 as well as a number of pleasant pieces by Theodor Kirchner which continue the tonal air of Schumann and Brahms in easy playable pieces.