Scales in Double Notes: Thirds, Sixths and Octaves Series: Willis Publisher: Willis Music Composer: Alexander Peskanov

Oeuvres pour Piano Series: Editions Durand Publisher: Editions Max Eschig Composer: Joseph Ermend-Bonnal

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.”

Editor: Ernst-Günter Heinemann Fingering: Hans-Martin Theopold Preface: François Lesure Pages: 19