Ballades Op.10

The instrumental ballad was a popular musical form in the 19th century and these four pieces for piano are Brahms’s only contribution to the genre. The composer wrote the ballades during the time of his close friendshipwith Clara Schumann, and they exude an intimacy more typical of a vocal ballad. The pieces, which Schumann enthusiastically praised, were described by Brahms as being “not too difficult to play and even less difficult tounderstand.

Brahms’s Ballades op. 10 form an integral part of the advanced piano literature. This publication represents a valuable addition to the repertoire of Brahms’s piano works inBärenreiterUrtext editions. The fingering by Brahms specialist Christian Köhn, the clear notation and optimum page turns fulfil the requirements of a practical performing edition. A detailed foreword with information onperformance practice, the compositional process, sources and the significance of the work completes the edition.

• Urtext edition based on all known sources and current research
• Well-presentedmusical layout with optimum page turns
• With fingering and suggestions for performance practice (Eng/Ger)
• With fold-out page for an easy page turn
• With an informative foreword (Eng/Ger) and criticalcommentary (Eng)