Stephen Heller

25 Melodic Studies Op. 45

Rooted in European music history due to his acquaintance with Chopin, Liszt, Berlioz and Schumann, Stephen Heller (1813-1888) is one of the most important representatives of the Romantic character piece. The Budapest-born pianist and piano teacher composed almost exclusively for his instrument. His overall oeuvre comprises more than 150 works, including sonatas, preludes, dances, variations, collections of studies, arrangements, numerous cycles and individual pieces. His rather simple, yet inventive and varied piano setting is typical of 19th-century moderately difficult, virtuoso salon music.In 'Melodic Studies' Op. 45 Heller addresses various technical tasks in a melodious piano setting that is typical of him. Varied, charming idiomatic figurations appear in a harmonically simple and pleasing Romantic tonal language. The rather easy to moderately difficult studies are ideal for lessons and also suitable as performance pieces. Apart from character pieces, this collection also contains effective bravura studies.