Reviews

Rechtzeitig zum 150. Geburtstag des Komponisten 2012 hat der Henle-Verlag sämtliche Klavierwerke in drei stolzen Bänden vereinigt, deren Leinen oder Paperback nun den Händen glücklicher Besitzer schmeichelt. Was immer man vom ritualisierten Jubiläumsbetrieb der Musikwelt halten mag: wenn er solche Ausgaben hervorbringt, soll es uns recht sein. ... Das die bislang disparat verstreuten Brocken gleichförmig gestaltende und dabei auf höchstes ästhetisches Niveau anhebende Henle'sche Notenbild spiegelt auf seine Weise etwas vom sinnlichen Reiz dieser Musik. Bibliophile Naturen werden die drei Bände also wie eine Kostbarkeit in Händen halten, die Seiten mit den Daumen hin- und herschnurren lassen, damit das Auge immer wieder unerwartet auf Stellen fällt und vielleicht Zusammenhänge entdeckt, oder einfach um mit der Nase den Duft des Papiers einzusaugen und sich an der grafischen Opulenz und Eleganz von Debussys Notenbild zu erfreuen...
[Die Tonkunst, 2012]

Debussy und Henle, das ist eine lange Liaison, die bereits dreißig Jahre zurückreicht. ... Die Ausgabe lädt dazu ein, den modernen Klassiker Debussy in kleinen und weniger bekannten Werken von einer neuen Seite kennenzulernen.
[Piano News, 2012]

La nouvelle gravure des partitions est particulièrement soignée, claire et aérée.
[Pianiste, 2012]

... werkelijk een schitterend eerbetoon aan de 150-jarige.
[Pianowereld, 2012]

The levels of difficulty of the
piano music published by G. Henle Publishers

The levels of difficulty of the piano music published by G. Henle Publishers

Guide to the levels of difficulty
"I don't know what 'difficult' means. Either you can play or you can't" – this was the rather terse comment by the great violinist Nathan Milstein, on being asked about the unbelievable difficulty of Niccolo Paganini's Caprice no. 1.

The relativity of the evaluation of difficulty in music immediately becomes clear. Yet I gladly take up this great challenge, presented to me by G. Henle Publishers. For I am aware of how useful a guide like this can be, both from my own experience as well as that of many colleagues. In particular so as to be able to identify "appropriate" works. For example for music teachers, who teach at very different levels, from beginners to those preparing for music conservatories, but also for all those interested amateurs for whom this guide is intended.

After careful deliberation I have settled on nine levels of difficulty, which I have divided into three groups: 1–3 (easy), 4–6 (medium), 7–9 (difficult). A number of parameters have been considered when assessing the level of difficulty. I have not just looked at the number of fast or slow notes to be played, or the chord sequences; of central importance are also the complexity of the piece's composition, its rhythmic complexities, the difficulty of reading the text for the first time, and last but not least, how easy or difficult it is to understand its musical structure. I have defined "piece" as being the musical unit of a sonata, or a single piece in a cycle, which is why Bach's "Well-Tempered Clavier" Part I comprises a total of 48 levels of difficulty (each prelude and fugue is considered separately), Schumann's Sonata in f sharp minor op.11 only has a single number. My assessment is measured by the ability to prepare a piece for performance. 

While assessing the pieces, it became clear that the medium level of difficulty (4–6) is the trickiest. Now and again this means that a piece is judged as a "3/4", even if it only deserved a "3" as far as piano technique is concerned. An example of such a "borderline" case (easy/medium) is Schumann's "Scenes from Childhood" op. 15 Von fremden Ländern und Menschen or at the other end "6/7" part of Bach's "English Suites". And of course within a main category there are also "from-to" evaluations (e.g. 7/8).

Any evaluation of art or music will always be subjective, even if the aim was to be objective. Despite the fact that I have endeavoured to be as careful as possible, I am all too aware that the results of my work can be called into question, and am therefore grateful for any suggestions you might have.

Prof. Rolf Koenen © 2010