Puccini: Compositions for Piano
Edizione Nazionale Volume II/2.2
Expected to ship in 1-2 weeks.
- Composer: Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924)
- Instrumentation: Piano
- Binding: Hardcover
- ISMN:
- Size: 10.2 x 13.0 inches
- Pages: 112
- Urtext / Critical Edition
Description
Puccini as a creator of piano music? The new volume of the "Edizione Nazionale" invites you to discover this still largely unknown side of the composer. Many previously unpublished works are available here for the first time.
In fact, Puccini regularly wrote piano pieces throughout his career. The volume opens with one of the first compositions he preserved: a short, almost childlike work (Pezzo in Sol maggiore). This is followed by other piano pieces, some combined into cycles. These works shed an interesting light on Puccini's earliest days as a composer and allow us to follow his burgeoning skills. The later pieces are mostly occasional works, written alongside the great operas.
Browsing through the pages, one stumbles across many strokes of genius: For instance, when the melody wends its way to its climax before immediately sinking back to nothingness (Adagio in La maggiore, SC 31); or when, condensed to a mere 16 measures, the melody floats in melancholy fashion within a harmonic structure that avoids its tonal center until just before the end (Calmo e molto lento, SC 86, from 1916).
It's well worth discovering this little-known side of Puccini!
Publishers use a lot of words to describe what they sell, and we know it can be confusing. We've tried to be as clear as possible to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Below are descriptions of the terms that we use to describe the various formats that music often comes in.
Choral Score
A score for vocalists that only contains the vocal lines. The instrumental parts are not there for reference. Generally, cheaper than a vocal score and requires multiple copies for purchase.
Facsimile
Reproductions of the original hand-written scores from the composer.
Full Score
For ensemble music, this indicates that the edition contains all parts on a single system (there are not separate parts for each player). In larger ensembles, this is for the conductor.
Hardcover
Hardbound. Generally either linen-covered or half-leather.
Orchestral Parts
Similar to a wind set, this is a collection of parts. In the case of strings, the numbers listed are the number of copies included, though generally these are available individually (often with minimum quantities required).
Paperback
When publishers offer multiple bindings (e.g. hardcover) or study scores, this is the "standard" version. If you're planning to play the music, this is probably what you want.
Performance / Playing Score
A score of the music containing all parts on one system, intended for players to share. There are not separate parts for each player.
Set of Parts
For ensemble music, this indicates that there are separate individual parts for each player.
Solo Part with Piano Reduction
For solo pieces with orchestra, this is a version that contains a piano reduction of the orchestra parts. For piano pieces, two copies are typically needed for performance.
Study Score
A small (think choral size) copy of the complete score meant for studying, and not playing. They make great add-ons when learning concertos and small chamber works.
Vocal Score
A score prepared for vocalists that includes the piano/organ part or a reduction of the instrumental parts.
Wind Set
For orchestral music, this is a collection of wind and percussion parts. The specific quantities of each instrument are notated.
With Audio
In addition to the printed music, the edition contains recordings of the pieces. This may be an included CD, or access to files on the internet.
With / Without Fingering (Markings)
Some publishers prepare two copies - a pure Urtext edition that includes no fingering (or bowing) suggestions and a lightly edited version that includes a minimal number of editorial markings.
