French Piano Music

Piano, Fortepiano and Harpsichord Music
Post Reply
bingo
Site Admin
Posts: 534
Joined: Sat Aug 22, 2020 11:57 pm
Instruments played, if any: piano
Music Scores: Yes

Re: French Piano Music

Post by bingo »

Charles-Marie WIDOR (1844-1937)

The collection Les Chefs-D'Oeuvre des Grands Maitres Contamporains uploaded by Alfor continues to yield some interesting discoveries

It contains this piano-solo arrangement (1896) of Widor's Op.10 Sérénade for flute, violin, cello, piano, harmonium (from 1870) which I have re-typeset.
WIDOR Op.10 Sérénade B-flat (musescore).pdf
The collection mysteriously claims this also exists in an orchestral version, without mentioning the chamber work.

IMSLP's only piano-solo arrangement is a simplified version:
https://imslp.org/wiki/S%C3%A9r%C3%A9na ... les-Marie)

No arranger is named for either version. You can listen to both here: https://musescore.com/song/serenade_op10-129762
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
musiclife217
Pianomaniac
Posts: 817
Joined: Wed Nov 16, 2011 6:08 am
Instruments played, if any: piano
Music Scores: Yes
Location: U.S.

Re: French Piano Music

Post by musiclife217 »

Hobbypianist wrote: Mon Feb 22, 2021 4:47 pm here the others also as pdf
Kowalski_Chinoiserie.pdf
Kowalski_op.04_Souvenir_de_Champigny.pdf
Kowalski_op.12_Dans_les_bois.pdf
Kowalski_op.73_Apres_vepres.pdf
Kowalski_op.79_Serenade_japonaise.pdf
I was able to find an additional Henri Kowalski score... it is probably as titled here, Op. 16 No. 02 - Caprice-Tremolo - Chimeres (not to be confused with Op. 45 - Valse-Caprice - Illusions et Chimeres). Op. 16 is a set of '12 Caprices en forme d'etudes.'

This is from an eclectic album, indeed.

https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b ... 0/f22.item

I hope that this is new to us ... I am still searching for the Op. 89 - Nocturne [3rd] !! Any help, please!
musiclife217
Pianomaniac
Posts: 817
Joined: Wed Nov 16, 2011 6:08 am
Instruments played, if any: piano
Music Scores: Yes
Location: U.S.

Re: French Piano Music

Post by musiclife217 »

the contents of this album are here [an eclectic mix of 101 pieces!]: - any help with the Kowalski 3rd nocturne, Op. 89 would be much appreciated! :)

https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b ... .item.zoom

I scribbled them down quickly so that they are more searchable. Some interesting examples and of course many completely unknowns.

Piano-Revue Album

Les Chefs-D'oeuvre du Piano

Weber, Carl Maria von - Ouverture - Euryanthe (arr. Piano)
Hitz, Franz - Romance Favorite de M. J. - La Premiere Feuille
Litolff - Valse - Rose (transcr. piano after Sighicelli)
Strauss, Johann [de Vienne] - Polka - L'enfantillage
Marmontel, Anton - Pavane
Chopin, Frederic - Op. 70 No. 03 - Valse
Laurent, Ch. M. - Airs Populaires Bretons - Echos de Bretagne
Mattiozzi, R. - Caprice Polka - La Folie
Mozart - Ch. Hess - Polka sur les Motifs de la Flute Enchantee - Pamina
Litolff, H. - Leon Dufils - Heloise et Abelard - Quadrille sur les motifs de l'opera Comique
Mendelssohn, Felix - Op. 19b No. 04 - Song without Words [4th] (Moderato) ('Confidence')
Woog, Charles - Marche - Dans L'inde
Kowalski, Henri - Op. 16 No. 02 - Etude - Caprice-Tremolo - Chimeres
Martini, Padre - WoO - Gavotte (1785)
Magnus, D. - Tarentelle [Tarantelle] [Tarantella]
Air National Magyar - Marche de Rakoczy
Lully / Lulli - Choeur a Trois Voix
Metra, O. - Suite de Valses - Estelle et Nemorin
Rougnon, Paul - Valse Etude
Stradella (1660) - Air D'eglise
David, Ferdinand - Reverie - Brise d'orient
Talexy, Adrien - Schottisch - Balbina
Chopin, Frederic - Op. 26 No. 01 - Polonaise
Anonymous - Chanson Russe - Fleurs Sombres (Dark Flowers) (темные цветы)
Arban - Suite de Valses - Les Clochettes de Chicago
Marmontel - Barnardel - L'improvisateur (transcrite par A. Bernardel / Melodie de J. Massenet)
Fremaux, Paul - Quadrille - La Folie au Bal
Patikarus - Marche Hongroise
Bach, J. S. - Sarabande
Handel - Menuet
Magnus, D. - Andante Religioso - Souvenir du Clocher
Vasseur, L. - Polka - Taicoun
Beethoven, Ludwig van - Op. 26 Movement III - Marche Funebre
Strauss, E. - Galop - Chien-Savant
Weber, Carl Maria von - Op. 65 - L'invitation a la Valse
Kern, Georges - WoO - Schottisch - Frederique
Litolff, Henry - Robert Planquette (transcr.) - Valse - Heloise et Abelard
Maute, Marguerite (1594) - WoO - Le Menuet de Marguerite
Air Indien - Aganastri [Astrologer]
Woog, Charles - WoO - Pas Redouble Polka - La Conduite du Drapeau
Tsin Sa - Gamelang Des Chinois de Borneo
Bordeau, J. - Polka - Le Tic Tac
Battmann, J. L. - Mazurka de Salon - Les Fusees
Schubert, Franz - Trois Landler
Chopin, Frederic - Op. 06 No. 03 - Mazurka
Marmontel, Anton - Morceau de Salon - Tarentelle [Tarantella]
Bach - Bourree
Arban - Quadrille - De Bric et de Broc
Lecocq - Polka-Mazurka - Le Rajah de Mysore
Handel - Grande Fugue
Wolfart / Wolfhart, H. - Fantaisie Mignonne sur la Chanson Celebre de Couder - Risette
Rousseau, J. J. (1752) - Ouverture - Le Devin du Village
Litolff, Henry - Polka - La Fiancee du Roi de Garbe [Leon Dufils]
Bellini, Vincenzo - Norma - Melodie Celebre (arr. Piano)
Mansour, A. - WoO - Barcarolle
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus - Marche - Les Noces de Figaro (arr. Piano)
Mendelssohn, Felix - Op. 19b No. 03 - Song without Words [3rd] (Molto Allegro e Vivace) ('Hunting Song')
Handel - Chaccone
Lenepveu, Ch. - Barcarolle
Rossini - Fantaisie sur l'opera - Tancrede (transcr. Ed. Wolff)
Chanson Cosaque - La Fille Rouge
Bach, J. S. - Toccata
Gandon, Jouary - Polka - Le Proces Veauradeiux (arr. Joseph Luigini)
Air Populaire Silesien - Den Lieben Langen Tag
Woog, Charles - Saltarello - Eco di Napoli
Schubert, Franz - Valse Sentimentale
Magnus, D. - Bolero - Madrid
Strauss - Polka - Marienka
Weber, Carl Maria von - Oberon - Ouverture
Desormes, L. C. - Celebre Polka - Serenade de Mandolines
Li-Tai-Pe - Air Chinois - La Descente de L'hirondelle
Schubert - Marche Militaire
Mopsy, Josephe - Morceau de Salon - La Chute des Feuilles
Fremaux, Paul - Valse Lente
Wolff, Edouard - Fantaisie - Le Pirate [opera de Bellini]
Sivry, Ch. de - Chanson de Route
Offenbach, Jacques - Ouverture - Les Bergers
Mendelssohn, Felix - Op. 38 No. 01 - Song without Words [13th] (Con Moto) (‘The Evening Star’)
Fosca, Angelo - Chanson Napolitaine
Delaborde, E. M. - Caprice - Alla Mendelssohn
Chopin, Frederic - Op. 07 No. 02 - Mazurka
Rameau - Rigodon tire de l'opera 'Dardanus' (transcription facile)
Woog, Charles - Polka-Mazurka - La Malicieuse
Bach, J. S. - Courante
Rougnon, Paul - Grande Valse de Salon - Peche de Jeunesse
Vaucorbeil, A. E. - Scherzo de la Sonate en Si Bemol
Snorro - Rhapsodie Scandinave - Balder-Saga
Bourges, Maurice - Danse Rustique - Hautbois et Musettes
Cabaner - Mazurka
Mendelssohn, Felix - Wedding March from 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
Demetre - Chanson Roumaine - Le Berger (Mokanyest)
Dancla, L. - Bolero - Fleur d'andalousie
Hitz, Franz - Reverie - Le Jour S'endort
Rousseau, J. J. - Interlude (1752)
Queen Elisabeth's Pavane - transcrite par T. D. A. Tellefsen
Chanson Antique attribuee a Terpandre - Ni Bonjour Ni Bonsoir
Rey, Etienne - Fantaisie Galop
Strauss, J. - Polka - Anna
Henry, Ernest - Chatou-Mazurke
Vercken, L. - Opera Comique en un Acte - Inedit - Le Mystere [Paroles d'Edouard Cadol]
Assam-Bey - Air Populaire Arabe - Talisman
Jean-Séb
Pianomasochist
Posts: 1268
Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 3:30 pm
Instruments played, if any: Piano
Music Scores: Yes

Re: French Piano Music

Post by Jean-Séb »

Thank you Musiclife for this album.
I've just found the Nocturne you are after. It was apparently released by the library of Dinan where many original scores by Kowalski are held.
For those who read French, an article about kowalski :
https://www.persee.fr/doc/acths_1764-73 ... 130_2_1442
Kowalski op.89 nocturne-n-3 coll.-bibliotheque-municipale-de-dinan-france..pdf
Kowalski
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
musiclife217
Pianomaniac
Posts: 817
Joined: Wed Nov 16, 2011 6:08 am
Instruments played, if any: piano
Music Scores: Yes
Location: U.S.

Re: French Piano Music

Post by musiclife217 »

Jean-Séb wrote: Fri Oct 15, 2021 7:36 am Thank you Musiclife for this album.
I've just found the Nocturne you are after. It was apparently released by the library of Dinan where many original scores by Kowalski are held.
For those who read French, an article about kowalski :
https://www.persee.fr/doc/acths_1764-73 ... 130_2_1442
Kowalski op.89 nocturne-n-3 coll.-bibliotheque-municipale-de-dinan-france..pdfKowalski
this is amazing! thank you so much! I could not find a library reference anywhere.
musiclife217
Pianomaniac
Posts: 817
Joined: Wed Nov 16, 2011 6:08 am
Instruments played, if any: piano
Music Scores: Yes
Location: U.S.

Re: French Piano Music

Post by musiclife217 »

one of the other Henri Kowalski pieces that is sorely missing is his lovely Op. 87 - Berceuse. any leads ??? :) :D
Noti-Man
Pianophiliac
Posts: 101
Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2020 11:55 am
Instruments played, if any: violin, piano
Music Scores: Yes

Re: French Piano Music

Post by Noti-Man »

Jean-Philippe Rameau (25 septembre 1683 — 12 septembre 1764)
Rameau, Jean-Philippe_Rigaudon.pdf
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
dmitterdorfer
Member
Posts: 42
Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2009 1:14 am
Instruments played, if any: Piano, organ, chorister.
Music Scores: Yes
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Contact:

Re: French Piano Music

Post by dmitterdorfer »

bingo wrote: Thu Sep 16, 2021 5:43 am Charles-Marie WIDOR (1844-1937)

The collection Les Chefs-D'Oeuvre des Grands Maitres Contamporains uploaded by Alfor continues to yield some interesting discoveries

It contains this piano-solo arrangement (1896) of Widor's Op.10 Sérénade for flute, violin, cello, piano, harmonium (from 1870) which I have re-typeset.
WIDOR Op.10 Sérénade B-flat (musescore).pdf
The collection mysteriously claims this also exists in an orchestral version, without mentioning the chamber work.

IMSLP's only piano-solo arrangement is a simplified version:
https://imslp.org/wiki/S%C3%A9r%C3%A9na ... les-Marie)

No arranger is named for either version. You can listen to both here: https://musescore.com/song/serenade_op10-129762
Hi Bingo,
I can confirm that it is nearly 100% likely that at least the non-simplified piano arrangement was made by Widor himself; this arrangement is included in the edition of Widor's Complete Works for Piano which Harold Fabrikant and I co-edited. Especially with Hamelle's editions, they were nearly always good enough to credit arrangers, even if it was necessary in some cases to use pseudonyms. If you'd like to know more about the piano edition, feel free to have a look here.

cheers,
Daniel
bingo
Site Admin
Posts: 534
Joined: Sat Aug 22, 2020 11:57 pm
Instruments played, if any: piano
Music Scores: Yes

Re: French Piano Music

Post by bingo »

dmitterdorfer wrote: Tue Nov 09, 2021 6:47 am [
I can confirm that it is nearly 100% likely that at least the non-simplified piano arrangement was made by Widor himself; this arrangement is included in the edition of Widor's Complete Works for Piano which Harold Fabrikant and I co-edited. Especially with Hamelle's editions, they were nearly always good enough to credit arrangers, even if it was necessary in some cases to use pseudonyms. If you'd like to know more about the piano edition, feel free to have a look here.

cheers,
Daniel
That edition looks phenomenal! I shall investigate further...
pcovitz1968
Member
Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2021 12:33 pm
Instruments played, if any: Piano
Music Scores: Yes
Location: New York, NY
Contact:

Georges Bizet Chansons-mélodies / romances sans paroles WD 46

Post by pcovitz1968 »

Greetings, one and all,

Please pardon this lengthy discursus... I'm new here :D

I have lately been obsessing about the piano works of Georges Bizet. In particular, I am determined to reassemble his "Chansons-melodies romances sans paroles," WD 46. It seems to be a peculiar collection, with material that Bizet drew from others of his own works.

The original set seems to have been as follows:
1. Chanson d'avril
2. Extase
3. Chanson Provençale
4. Meditation
5. Chanson Arabe

A search on WorldCat reveals 2 libraries that seem to possess the original edition of all five pieces:
https://www.worldcat.org/title/chansons ... /844052167
* British Library, St. Pancras, London
* Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France

I suppose I could stop here and simply ask: Does anyone in the forum have access to either of these libraries, and would you consider looking up this edition and providing scans?

I have, at this point, exhausted the limit of my own online resources. The first two pieces of the set are easily acquired. But tracking down the other three has proven far more maddening. All five of the original set are transcriptions of Bizet's own works; 3 for voice, 1 for mixed voices, and 1 that was always solely instrumental. Being unfamiliar with much of Bizet's other works, piano or otherwise, I was able to discover the ultimate sources of each piece here:
http://digital.wustl.edu/bizet/collecti ... odies.html

3. Chanson Provençale = L'Arlesienne, No. 5
This one derives from a chorus in L'Arlsienne-- not the two orchrstral suites, but the original incidental music for the play. It is given as #5 in the piano/vocal score that is available online. However, this edition is not a piano solo, it is for choir, with piano accompaniment.

4. Meditation = L'Arlesienne, No. 15
This one also derives from L'Arlesienne, but for orchestra alone, with no voices. It is an Entr'acte, #15 in the piano/vocal score.

5. Chanson Arabe = Adieux de l'hôtesse arabe
This comes from a song for voice and piano by Bizet, with words by Victor Hugo. As with the Chanson Provençale, this is accessible as a piano/vocal score, but, again, not as a piano solo.

So, to summarize thus far: I know that all 5 pieces were transcribed for piano solo by Bizet and published together as "Chansons-melodies," two of which are available as PDFs online, whereas the other three I have only been able to track down from their original vocal/orchestral counterparts. (I also found #4, the Meditation based on the Entr'acte from L'Arlesienne, as a version transcribed for harp.)

It turns out there are 3 CD recordings of Bizet's piano works that contain piano solo versions of one or more of the missing pieces:

Riccardo Zadra, Bizet : Oeuvres pianistiques, Gallo
https://vdegallo.com/en/produit/bizet-o ... o-zadra-2/
* Chanson Provençale (noted as "First World Recording")

Adriano Paolini, Georges Bizet, Complete Piano Works, WellMusic Classics
http://adrianopaolini.altervista.org/in ... 2/cd/bizet
* Chanson Provençale (apparently the second world recording)
* Chanson Arabe

Peter Vanhove, George Bizet Piano Works, Pavane Records
https://laboiteamusique.eu/?s=Vanhove&post_type=product
* Meditation, Souvenir de l'Arlesienne

Listening to the tracks on these CDs, it is easily determined that they are not simply readings of the piano/vocal scores I was able to acquire on my own; they contain passages (and arrangements) that are simply absent from the originals.

The original vocal/orchestral versions of these works could, I suppose, stand on their own as solo piano works, simply by incorporating the vocal line into the accompaniment (or, in the case of the Meditation, simply using the piano reduction). But for my purposes, these are not acceptable, or would only be acceptable if all else fails (and in some cases would require someone with better arranging skills than I). I have considered contacting these artists to see whether they might indulge me and offer up a copy of the score. I am not hopeful that my inquiries will be considered or even well received, but I will probably try nonetheless.

Meanwhile, any advice, suggestions, or assistance from the forum would be most deeply appreciated!
--Phil
ut supra, sic infra
Post Reply