Description: The opus number of Beethoven's Easy Piano Sonatas op. 49 is misleading. The pieces were written not long after the Sonatas op. 2, and most likely – in part, at least – before his Sonata op. 7. Sketches can be found in the “Kafka Miscellany” sketchbook, which Beethoven used for several years both in Bonn and subsequently in Vienna until the late 1790s. The second sonata seems to be the earlier of the two. The composer also reprised the theme of the second movement, Tempo di Menuetto, for the Menuet in the Septet op. 20. It is one of his best-known piano pieces, which just about every budding pianist encounters early in his lessons.
Description: These pieces are often performed in high school state contest solos. The Romance in G Major is an excellent piece for double-stop technique, while the Romance in F Major helps develop beauty of tone in the upper positions.
Description: These two short, unpretentious sonatinas in G major and F major were published during Beethoven's lifetime in ca. 1807. Since then, they have become firmly established in the repertoire for beginners due to their striking beauty. However, it is very unlikely that they were actually written by Beethoven, and for this reason, they do not have opus numbers but instead are listed in his catalog of works as “Anhang/Appendix 5.” Walther Lampe provided the fingerings for this Urtext edition; Lampe was a piano pupil of Clara Schumann, and in turn taught Günter Henle, founder of the music publishing company. Henle described Lampe as an “outstanding performing pianist.” Moreover, he was one of the leading piano pedagogues of his time.
Description: The three Duos for Clarinet and Bassoon WoO 27 stylistically belong to Beethoven's earliest creative period. Due to their lively character, the skilful play with timbre, and the fact that they are not very technically demanding, they have always numbered among the wind chamber music showpieces and are also popular works for pupils and students. The sole source for the musical text is a printed edition which was only published after Beethoven's death – presumably a reprint of lost Parisian editions. The original manuscripts also no longer exist. Our edition follows the musical text in the Beethoven Complete Edition (Volume VI/1); there are two alternative versions for clarinet in B flat and C enclosed with the performance score for bassoon.
Description: Called “Kurfürstensonaten” (Prince-Elector sonatas), these three sonatas were published in fall 1783. In the dedication – which was most certainly not formulated by Beethoven – one reads: “Most lofty sir ... I have now reached my eleventh year” (whereby the composer has been made two years younger), “and since then my Muse has whispered to me often during the hours of devotion: Be bold and lay down the harmonies of your soul! ... May I now, exalted Prince, dare to lay the first of my juvenile outpourings at the steps of your throne?” In fact, the three sonatas have a special place among Beethoven's earliest compositions, already exude his spirit, and can be used to acquaint the budding pianist with this composer.
Product Number: HL51481387
Series: Henle Music Folios (/False) Price:$9.95 Price: $9.95
Pages: 27
AvailabilityCheck Country Availability Voicing: Piano Solo
Description: The compositions united here provide a good overview of the diversity of the variation genre in Beethoven's early piano works - and present such moderate technical demands that even advanced beginners might try their hand at them. Beethoven found the models for these variations in popular song collections (WoO 64 on a Swiss song), contemporary opera performances (WoO 70 on “Nel cor più non mi sento” by Giovanni Paisiello), and his own compositions (WoO 77 on a theme from the finale of Piano Sonata op. 22). The revised musical text of the Henle Urtext edition, with its extensive preface and commentary section, was prepared on the basis of the Critical Report in the Beethoven Complete Edition and is published as a stand-alone edition from “Variations for Piano I/II” (HN 1267 and 1269). Ian Fountain provided the fingerings.
Description: Ludwig van Beethoven's 32 Variations on an Original Theme in C minor (WoO 80) for piano, dating from 1806, are both a magnificent concert piece and an outstanding etude. Only with Beethoven can an eight-measure theme contain so much melodic and harmonic energy. The variations, of eight measures each, flow into one another powerfully and without interruption, offering a veritable compendium of Beethoven's piano technique. The effect is of a mighty passacaglia. With the more lengthy final variation the work fades to a close.
Product Number: HL51481388
Series: Henle Music Folios (/False) Price:$11.95 Price: $11.95
Pages: 22
AvailabilityCheck Country Availability Voicing: Piano Solo
Description: Among the Variations on an Original Theme, WoO 80 from 1806 constitutes a special case in that Beethoven consciously draws on older practices. A chromatically descending bass line in the theme provides the foundation for the variations, its ostinato-like repetition lending the composition the air of a passacaglia. The revised musical text of the Henle Urtext edition, with an extensive preface and commentary section, was prepared on the basis of the Critical Report in the Beethoven Complete Edition and is published as a stand-alone edition from “Variations for Piano II” (HN 1269). Ian Fountain provided the fingerings.
Description: Like the “Eroica Variations” op. 35, the Variations op. 34, were composed in 1802 on an original theme. The “new fashion” Beethoven declared for both works to his publisher becomes apparent in opus 34 through the constant change of keys; from one variation to the next, new tone colors and moods continue to unfold, spanning the pastoral and the funereal, while the melody of the theme remains largely unaltered. For the first time, the Variations op. 34, are now available from Henle in a standalone edition. The musical text of the Urtext edition, with extensive foreword and commentary, was prepared on the basis of the later Critical Apparatus of the Beethoven Complete Edition. Here, too, the fingering comes from the esteemed hands of Ian Fountain.
Description: The autograph of Beethoven's Bagatellen op. 33 mentions the year 1782 in its title. The date, and the fact that Beethoven amended it, have led to a number of speculations concerning the time of its genesis. What is certain is that the seven pieces were not completed until about the end of 1802. Beethoven seems to have compiled several earlier pieces, revised them one last time, then gave them to the publishers. The first edition was issued in May 1803 – and today's pianists are still just as enthusiastic about these little gems as they are about many of Beethoven's other major or minor masterpieces.
Product Number: HL49046354
Series: Study Score (/False) Price:$110.00 Price: $110.00
Pages: 1248
AvailabilityCheck Country Availability Voicing: Study Score + Cd
Description: Just in time for Beethoven's 250th anniversary, here are his 9 symphonies in the EULENBURG AUDIO+SCORE series, presented in a slipcase and at a special price. Each volume contains a score in excellent print and a CD with the complete recording. In addition, all editions contain an informative preface on biographical and artistic backgrounds of the symphonies.
Description: Women will love this choral for the holidays! It introduces the classical work “Für Elise” by Beethoven with humor and performance fun. The lyrics deal with the dilemma of selecting a gift for a “hard to buy for” girl named Elise. Smart, clever and fun. A novelty winner!
