This anthology brings together Clara Schumann’s most significant early compositions for piano, written between 1831 and 1837. It includes six complete works: the Caprices en Forme de Valses, Romance Variée, Valses Romantiques, 4 Pièces Caractéristiques, Soirées musicales, and Variations de Concert. Each piece stands on its own, yet collectively they trace the emergence of a unique compositional voice—virtuosic, lyrical, imaginative, and deeply engaged with the musical language of her time.
Clara’s music, though shaped by the influences of Chopin, Mendelssohn, and Weber, reveals a personal aesthetic: one of elegant invention, formal clarity, and expressive depth. Whether in the delicate turns of her early waltzes, the dramatic flair of her character pieces, or the ambitious scope of her Variations de Concert, these works testify to the artistry of a young composer who was also one of the great pianists of the 19th century. This Urtext edition offers the complete early works in a single, critically prepared volume.
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.
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.