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.”

By Manuel de Falla Series: Kalmus Edition Category: Piano Collection Format: Book Instrument: Piano

Following Alban Berg, Anton Webern is the second composer of the Second Viennese School to be included in the Henle catalogue. Webern’s music is known for its extreme brevity and strict organisation. A performance of the Variations op. 27 lasts even shorter than ten minutes – a short period of time during which the audience experiences true extremes.