Henselt – Complete Etudes Volume 1 Op 2 For Piano Book

Description

Adolph von Henselt – Complete Etudes Volume 1 Op 2 For Piano Book

Piano Level – Intermediate

Adolph von Henselt (18141889) holds a significant place in the history of piano music as a composer and pedagogue. He is often credited with being one of the founding figures of the Russian School of piano playing, and his influence extended to renowned musicians and composers of his time.

One of his most notable pupils was Nicolai Sergeyvich Zverev, who went on to become a prominent piano teacher himself, instructing famous composers such as Sergei Rachmaninoff and Alexander Scriabin. Rachmaninoff, in particular, held Henselt’s Etudes in high regard, considering them on par with the works of renowned composers like Franz Liszt and Frdric Chopin due to their exceptional beauty.

Henselt’s compositions were well-known during his lifetime and found a place in the repertoires of some of the greatest virtuosos of the 19th century. Performers like Clara Schumann, Franz Liszt, Hans von Blow, Vladimir de Pachmann, and Alexander Scriabin all included his music in their performances. For instance, Clara Schumann premiered Henselt’s F minor Concerto with Felix Mendelssohn conducting.

Henselt’s Etudes, found in two sets (Opp. 2 and 5), were composed just before his permanent move to Russia. Each set was initially published as two books, each containing six etudes.

This new Edition Peters Urtext edition presents each set in its separate volume. In the first volume, you’ll also find a selection of Henselt’s Exercices preparatoires, while the second volume includes two additional etudes. This edition is meticulously edited by Daniel Grimwood, a highly respected interpreter of Henselt’s music. Grimwood’s recording of the complete Etudes is available from Edition Peters Sounds. Notably, this is the only modern Urtext edition of these significant piano compositions, making it a valuable resource for pianists and enthusiasts alike.116 pages.