This series of publications of easy piano music for teaching purposes offers pupils at the elementary and lower intermediate stages a careful selection of well-known and less well-known compositions by important masters. The volumes are deliberately kept small in extent, since children find it more stimulating to have the teaching literature changed frequently.

Robert Schumann’s „12 Piano-Duet Pieces for Small and Big Children” Op. 85 are as little-known as bis „Album for the Young,” Op. 68 is famous. This is mainly because ╩ with the exception of the Birthday March ╩ the pieces are of considerable technical difficulty. In addition to musically very exciting pieces, the set also contains pieces that are tiring because of their length.

The editor has selected five of the most effective pieces and has made them easier where it seemed necessary. The pieces have been arranged in an order which emphasizes the contrasts between them, and their keys have been chosen (those of nos. 2 and 3 having been changed from the originals), so as to encourage the practising and performance of the whole group as a single work. The distribution of the notes between the two players and the fingerings have been adapted to young hands. The use of the pedal is not absolutely essential; with it, however, accents can be reinforced (no. 4) and legato successions of chords made easier (no. 5).

Heinz Walter, Salzburg, Spring 1978

Contents: Abendlied Op. 85/12, Blumenlied Op. 85/3, Fangen spielen Op. 85/10, Geburtstagsmarsch Op. 85/1, Reigen Op. 85/8