Selected Piano Works

Piano Solo

By Clara Wieck-Schumann

This is a nice selection of Clara Wieck Schumann's best works and the accuracy of the text is fine. The suites are complete except for Op. 6, where a couple of inferior movements are left out. This volume omits the early variations Opp. 3 and 8, which are of...

more historical than musical importance - they illustrate the kind of showy writing expected of virtuosi at that time, and Schumann eventually abandoned that kind of writing for a more sober style. The editor's fingerings are generally helpful. Some of these pieces require large hand spans (perhaps Schumann used a piano with narrow keys). Some redistribution of the notes between the hands may be helpful.

These pieces range from lively to introspective in mood. I bought this book for the Polanaise and Mazurka which I could not find in any other publication. Masters Music Publications do not always have the clearest type-set for the notes. They can be very small and squished together making...

it difficult to read and there are no fingerings. This particular volume is not too bad in that respect. While I charactarize these pieces as overall Advanced I would say that a Late Intermediate pianist should not shy away from this collection. The price is reasonable even if you are looking to purchase it for one or two of the pieces in the book. If you are a Clara Schumann fan you will definitely want to add this to your collection.

I´ve been playing piano all my life and have an education from the academy of music. Now, long time after the women's liberation in the 1970 I´ve begun to wonder why I never played anything by a female composer. I´m male myself but I think men...

have dominated the music more than I would accept. Hence I´m looking forward to seeing a much greater interest in Clara Wieck-Schumann of whom we have heard far too little. It´s a very good initiative to get this splendid romantic composer into the spotlight. regards Franz Michaelis