Beethoven's middle-period quartets, Opp. 59, 74 and 95, are pieces that engage deeply with the aesthetic ideas of their time. In the first full contextual study of these works, Nancy November celebrates their uniqueness, exploring their reception history and early performance. In detailed analyses, she explores ways in which the quartets have both reflected and shaped the very idea of chamber music and offers a new historical understanding of the works' physical, visual, social and ideological aspects. In the process, November provides a fresh critique of three key paradigms in current Beethoven studies: the focus on his late period; the emphasis on 'heroic' style in discussions of the middle period; and the idea of string quartets as 'pure', 'autonomous' artworks, cut off from social moorings. Importantly, this study shows that the quartets encompass a new lyric and theatrical impetus, which is an essential part of their unique, explorative character.

(Guitar Method). This premier method for the beginning classical guitarist, by one of the world's pre-eminent virtuosos and the recognized heir to the legacy of Andres Segovia, is now completely revised and updated Guitarists will learn basic classical technique by playing over 50 beautiful classical pieces, 26 exercises and 14 duets, and through numerous photos and illustrations. The method covers: rudiments of classical technique, note reading and music theory, selection and care of guitars, strategies for effective practicing, and much more

In 1720, Antonio Stradivari crafted an exquisite work of art-a cello known as the Piatti. Over the next three centuries of its life, the Piatti cello left its birthplace of Cremona, Italy, and resided in Spain, Ireland, England, Italy, Germany, and the United States. In 1978, the Piatti became the musical soul mate of world-renowned cellist Carlos Prieto, with whom it has given concerts around the world. In this delightful book, Mr. Prieto recounts the adventurous life of his beloved "Cello Prieto," tracing its history through each of its previous owners from Stradivari in 1720 to himself. He then describes his noteworthy experiences of playing the Piatti cello, with which he has premiered some eighty compositions. In this part of their mutual story, Prieto gives a concise summary of his own remarkable career and his relationships with many illustrious personalities, including Igor Stravinsky, Dmitry Shostakovich, Pablo Casals, Mstislav Rostropovich, Yo-Yo Ma, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. A new epilogue, in which he describes recent concert tours in Moscow, Siberia, and China and briefer visits to South Korea, Taiwan, and Venezuela, as well as recent recitals with Yo-Yo Ma, brings the story up to 2009. To make the story of his cello complete, Mr. Prieto also provides a brief history of violin making and a succinct review of cello music from Stradivari to the present. He highlights the work of composers from Latin America, Spain, and Portugal, for whose music he has long been an advocate and principal performer. The print edition of this book includes a CD of fourteen recordings by Carlos Prieto, including works by J. S. Bach, Dmitry Shostakovich, Astor Piazzolla, and Eugenio Toussaint.

Guitar Star offers beginner guitarists a refreshing and inspirational choice of pieces to help build confidence and musical skills. These original compositions and arrangements by Gary Ryan are imaginatively tailored to develop techniques progressively through an exciting and varied range of musical styles. Key features -An engaging collection of pieces from beginner level to Prep Test and beyond - Solo pieces, with some optional teacher duet parts-Play-along CD of creative backing tracks-Fun extension activities-Brought to life with colour illustrations. Gary Ryan studied at the Guildhall School of Music and the Royal Academy of Music. He has taught at the Royal College of Music since 1996 and combines his role there as Assistant Head of Strings with a varied freelance career as a performer, composer, adjudicator and examiner. He was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal College of Music in 2013.

The Guitar Prep Test is an ideal introduction to the ABRSM exam experience: it gives students a goal to work towards and a certificate on the day - something to be really proud of. The test covers many elements that beginner guitarists will be working on, including pitch, time, tone and performance. Our Guitar Prep Test book has exciting pieces, easy to follow instructions, listening games and entertaining illustrations. Preparing for your Guitar Prep Test has never been more fun!

This book brings together, for the first time, nine pieces from ABRSM's Grade 5 Guitar syllabus from 2019. The pieces - two solos and one duet chosen from each of lists A, B and C - have been carefully selected to offer an attractive and varied range of styles, creating an excellent source of repertoire to suit every performer. The book also contains helpful footnotes and, for those preparing for exams, useful syllabus information. Recordings of all 30 pieces on the Grade 5 syllabus are available. These can be purchased as part of the Guitar Exam Pieces with CD package or as audio downloads (see www.abrsmdownloads.org for more details). ABRSM also offers a range of apps to support musical learning, available from www.abrsm.org/apps. Support material for ABRSM Guitar exams [GEPs with CD] [Scales] [Specimen sight-reading] [Specimen aural tests]

A must-have for any guitar lover! This book introduces the reader to 250 guitars of all types from the early acoustic archtop designs of the Gibson L-5 in the last 1920s, through the National resonators of the 1930s, the hollow body electric Gibsons of the 1950s, the solid body Fenders of the 1960s, to the exoskeletal carbon and glass fiber of the Parker Fly of the 1990s. Each entry has a clear color photograph of the guitar together with a detail shot featuring a point of particular interest of that instrument along with a description and a technical specification. It is arranged in alphabetical order by maker's name and coded by the type of guitar. The guitar had a profound influence on many musical forms including blues, bluegrass, country, flamenco, jazz, folk, heavy metal, rock, soul, reggae, and modern pop.

Now guitarists can have all three volumes of this classic guitar method in one convenient book!

Created by popular demand, this new edition of the method used as the basic text for the renowned Berklee College of Music guitar program is a complete compilation of the original Volumes 1, 2, and 3.

Innovative solos, duets and exercises progressively teach melody, harmony and rhythm. Perfect for the serious guitar student and instructor alike.

(Piano Collection). A newly corrected and very affordable Schirmer Library edition of these 20th-century piano masterpieces.

(Guitar Recorded Versions). 12 transcriptions from the King of Shock Rock, including: Billion Dollar Babies * Desperado * Feed My Frankenstein * I Never Cry * I'm Eighteen * Is It My Body * No More Mr. Nice Guy * Only Women Bleed * Poison * School's Out * Under My Wheels * Welcome to My Nightmare.

(Guitar Solo). The arrangements in this book are carefully written for intermediate-level guitarists. Each solo combines melody and harmony in one superb fingerpicking arrangement. The book includes an easy introduction to basic fingerstyle guitar, and these fantastic songs: Can't Help Falling in Love * Fly Me to the Moon * Georgia on My Mind * I Could Write a Book * I Just Called to Say I Love You * I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face * In a Sentimental Mood * Just the Way You Are * Misty * Moon River * My Favorite Things * Unchained Melody * The Way We Were * What a Wonderful World * When I Fall in Love * Yesterday * You Are So Beautiful.