AB II-22

Description

Frédéric Chopin

INTRODUCTION ET POLONAISE BRILLANTE, Opus 3

Transcription for piano solo by
Carl Czerny

Frédéric Chopin wrote his Introduction et Polonaise brillante for cello and piano, Opus 3, in 1829-30. When exactly Carl Czerny made a transcription for piano-solo of this early work is not known, but the plate number of the first edition, published by Pietro Mechetti in Vienna, points to the end of the 1830s. The first French edition was published around 1842 by Maurice Schlesinger. The title page of this edition reads ‘I.re Polonaise Brillante pour piano par F. Chopin’, thus suggesting that Chopin himself made this arrangement. In later editions the name of Czerny will also be searched for in vain. In France in particular, this arrangement has for decades been regarded as written by Chopin himself. And stylistically there is also reason to do so, because in his transcription Czerny remained close to the piano part of the original, artfully interweaving the cello part in it. All the more reason to rescue this fine arrangement, which was reprinted in 1878 for the last time, from oblivion.

CONTENTS:
Introduction (Dutch / English)
– The Introduction et Polonaise brillante by Frédéric Chopin
– The arrangement for piano solo – a voyage of discovery in four stages
– Some afterthoughts
– About this edition

Introduction et Polonaise brillante (transcription for piano by Carl Czerny)

Text-Critical Commentary and Remarks Concerning the Interpretation

REVIEWS
“In the spring of 1829, Chopin wrote his Introduction et Polonaise brillante for cello and piano, a fresh and virtuoso early work in the brilliant salon style, characteristic of the first decades of the nineteenth century. Carl Czerny made a version for piano solo of this work. Albert Brussee has used this original edition as the main source for his re-edited and annotated publication. The beautifully designed booklet contains a detailed and illustrated introduction, in which the genesis of this arrangement is described in extenso. As a piano work, the Introduction et Polonaise brillante is no less effective and attractive than the original version for cello and piano.The technically demanding piece requires virtuoso and leggiero finger work, surefire leaps in the left hand and brilliant octaves. A sense of the Polish background of this work is essential. ”
Christo Lelie, in Piano Bulletin 2016-2 (translated from the Dutch)

COPYRIGHT, AVAILABILITY AND PRICE:
© 2016 AB Music Productions & Editions – The Hague, The Netherlands.
With an illustrated introduction in full colour and a detailed text-critical commentary and remarks concerning the interpretation; 40 pages.
Available directly from the editor/publisher or via your music shop (distribution in the Netherlands: Hal Leonhard MGB – Heerenveen).
Price: € 19.95.