Piano Solo Series: Piano Method Publisher: G. Schirmer, Inc. Composer: Muzio Clementi Editor: Carl Tausig

Composer: Alexander Scriabin Format: Book

The instrumental ballad was a popular musical form in the 19th century and these four pieces for piano are Brahms’s only contribution to the genre. The composer wrote the ballades during the time of his close friendship with Clara Schumann, and they exude an intimacy more typical of a vocal ballad. The pieces, which Schumann enthusiastically praised, were described by Brahms as being “not too difficult to play and even less difficult to understand.”

Subtitle: Easier Piano Pieces 23 • Russian composer Alexander Grechaninov (1864-1956) studied under Rimsky-Korsakov at the St Petersburg Conservatory, and later moved to Paris before settling finally in New York • this charming collection is one of a number he wrote for children • an excellent album for beginners