Known as a "pianist's composer," Chopin's love, passion and devotion to piano music resulted in more than 200 compositions. This collection contains the more accessible pieces which still have vivid melodies and lush harmonies. The Alfred Masterwork CD Editions conveniently combine each exceptional volume with a professionally recorded CD that is sure to inspire artistic performances.
Pianist Valery Lloyd-Watts studied at the Conservatory of Music in Toronto and the Royal College of Music in London. She earned a Master of Music degree from the University of Wisconsin, where she studied with Paul Badura-Skoda. She co-authored the text Studying Suzuki Piano: More than Music, which was endorsed by Dr. Suzuki.

Known as a "pianist's composer," Chopin's love, passion and devotion to piano music resulted in over 200 compositions. This collection contains the more accessible pieces which still have vivd melodies and lush harmonies.

A painstakingly researched edition of all of the mazurkas presently known to be authentic works of Chopin; 57 in all. The mazurka, a Polish national dance in triple meter, was first introduced to the realm of art music by Chopin. The works in this collection have been carefully edited from the original manuscripts and from the first German, French and English editions.

Some of Chopin's best-loved works are contained in this volume. More advanced than 14 of His Easiest Piano Selections, familiar preludes, waltzes and mazurkas are joined by "Fantaisie-Impromptu," "Etude in E Major" and "Polonaise in A Major." This versatile collection could be used over the span of several years as a student's facility develops. Helpful biographical and historical materials are provided for each work. Also included is an outstanding CD recording from the Naxos label by internationally renowned artist Idil Biret. She has made more than 70 recordings and has received numerous awards including: Lily Boulanger Memorial, Boston; Harriet Cohen - Dinu Lipatti gold medal, London; Chevalier de l'Ordre du Merite, France; State Artist, Turkey and many others.

Chopin's piano works are of such uniformly high quality that they are all absolutely essential in the repertoire of any aspiring pianist. The Preludes and Etudes are exquisitely beautiful examples of his genius. Numbering 52 pieces in all, they are reproduced here from the authoritative Mikuli edition and are available for the first time in a low-priced, one-volume publication. The opus listings are: 25 Preludes-Op. 28, Nos. 1-24; Prelude in C-sharp Minor, Op. 45. 27 Etudes-Op. 10, Nos. 1-12; Op. 25, Nos. 1-12; and Trois Nouvelles Etudes Unabridged (1998) republication of works from an authoritative early edition. New unified table of contents.

Contents: Ballade, Op. 47, No. 3 * Ballade, Op. 23, No. 1 * Berceuse (Lullaby) * Fantaisie-Impromptu * Funeral March (Sonata Op. 35) * Impromptu, Op. 29 * Mazurka, Op. 33, No. 1 * Mazurka, Op. 33, No. 3 * Mazurka, Op. 33, No. 4 * Mazurka, Op. 7, No. 1 * Mazurka, Op. 7, No. 2 * Nocturne, Op. 9, No. 2 * Nocturne, Op. 15, No. 2 * Nocturne, Op. 15, No. 3 * Nocturne, Op. 27, No. 2 * Nocturne, Op. 32, No. 1 * Nocturne, Op. 37, No. 1 * Nocturne, Op. 37, No. 2 * Polonaise, Op. 26, No. 1 * Polonaise, Op. 40, No. 1 * Polonaise, Op. 53 * Prelude in D-flat Major, Op. 28, No. 15 ("Raindrop") * Scherzo B Flat Minor, Op. 31 * Study, Op. 25, No. 9 * Study, Op. 25, No. 1 * Study, Op. 25, No. 7 * Waltz, Op. 18 * Waltz, Op. 34, No. 1 * Waltz, Op. 34, No. 2 * Waltz, Op. 42 * Waltz, Op. 64, No. 2 * Waltz in D-flat Major ("Minute Waltz"), Op. 64, No. 1.

The Scherzo No. 1 in B minor, written between 1831 and 1832, is marked "Presto con fuoco." The piece is very dark, dramatic, and lively. The Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat minor, was composed and published in 1837, and described by Schumann as "overflowing with tenderness, boldness, love and contempt." The Scherzo No. 3 in C-sharp minor is the most tightly constructed and grandest of the four scherzos. His final Scherzo, No. 4 in E major, was written in 1842, is generally calmer, and is based on a Polish folk song. The Fantasy in F minor was composed in 1842, 7 years before Chopin's death in Paris.

Edited, revised and fingered by Rafael Joseffy with historical and analytical comments by James Huneker.