Imaginative, bold, and full of character, Clara Schumann’s 4 Pièces Caractéristiques (1835) stand among her most original early works. Each movement bears a fanciful French title and evokes a distinct mood: from the eerie drama of Le Sabbat to the fiery brilliance of the Hexentanz. Along the way, we encounter a Caprice à la Boléro laced with Spanish flair and a tender Romance that reveals Clara’s lyrical gift.
Performed for Chopin in 1836 and admired by him, the set displays both technical brilliance and emotional range. Clara uses pointed rhythms, exotic colours, and unexpected modulations to create a theatrical experience that rivals the fantasy-pieces of her male contemporaries. These four pieces form a dramatic arc of contrast and cohesion—ideal for pianists seeking to explore Clara’s daring and expressive voice.
An Urtext edition presents the music as faithfully as possible to the composer’s intentions. It is based on all available primary sources—first editions, autograph manuscripts, and reliable contemporary copies—and reproduces the musical text without arbitrary additions or editorial rewriting. At Felix Editions, editorial intervention is limited to the correction of obvious errors and is documented in the critical notes, ensuring historical accuracy together with practical clarity for performers.
For lesser-known composers, surviving sources are often exceptionally rare—sometimes only a single print or manuscript. Preparing an Urtext under such conditions requires careful reconstruction and cross-verification of fragmentary evidence. Our editions therefore combine scholarly rigour with curatorial work, making otherwise inaccessible music available in its most authentic form.
Each publication is produced to high standards of clarity, durability, and aesthetic refinement. Scores are printed on archival-grade, acid-free paper, chosen for its pleasant texture, natural colour, and stability over time.
Depending on page count, albums appear in two formats:
– Saddle-stitched for shorter works;
– Black wire binding for larger volumes, allowing pages to turn easily and remain open on the stand.
Every title is beautifully typeset to enhance both appearance and usability. Proportion and spacing are carefully balanced for legibility; page turns are planned so that, wherever possible, they avoid technically demanding passages. The result is a publication that is as pleasing to the eye as it is to play or read.
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