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Best Baroque

The Messiah: An Oratorio for Four-Part Chorus of Mixed Voices, Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass Soli and Piano
Neither have the more recent editions of vocal scores based on the Mozart orchestra score, with its many contrapuntal charms, quite fulfilled expectations, as they materially increased the difficulty of the piano part. Listeners who truly love this work may be interested in the full orchestral score --also at a great price--from Dover, edited by Alfred Mann.
Reviews
"I had one from college, and bought this as a replacement since I lost my original score."
"Great for singing in a performance of the Messiah."
"When singing a part in this music, it is easy to get so focused on one's own part that one misses the fact that the notes themselves weave a tapestry on the page and to the ear that tell a story as rich as the verse."
"protected and delivered in very good time."
"Item exactly as described; delivery was fast and accurate."
"My first Book fell apart from using it for 30 years."
"This is a beautiful, pristine copy of the familiar Schirmer Bpiano-vocal score of The Messiah."
"Came quickly and a fair price and will use it for Christmas!"
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First Lessons in Bach, Complete: For the Piano (Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics)
119 * March in D Major, BWV 122 * Minuet in G Major from Overture in G minor, BWV 822 * Minuet in G minor from Overture in G minor, BWV 822 * Minuet in G minor (II) from Overture in G minor, BWV 822 * March in G Major, BWV App. 121 * Gavotte in G minor from Overture in G minor, BWV 822 * March in E-flat Major, BWV App. 6, BWV 811 * Polonaise in G Major, BWV App. 3, BWV 808 * Minuet in F Major from Overture in F Major, BWV 820 * Polonaise in G minor, BWV App. 2 in C minor, BWV 813 * Prelude in F minor from Suite in F minor, BWV 823.
Reviews
"Since many of you are wondering (like I was) what is included in this book, here is the Table of Contents: Book I, No. 01: Minuet in G major (J.S. 02: Minuet in G minor (J.S. 04: Polonaise in G minor (J.S. 05: March in D major (J.S. 11: Musette in G major (J.S. 12: Bourree in E minor (J.S. 02: Gavotte in D major (J.S. 09: Scherzo in A minor (J.S. 10: Sarabande in E minor (J.S. 12: Prelude in F minor (J.S."
"The book has a good selection of Bach pieces."
"It has some great pieces in it that aren't too difficult, and I am using it to improve my mediocre piano ability."
"Lovely book."
"Very nice selection of pieces to play, in order of difficulty."
"Wonderful."
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Antonio Vivaldi - The Four Seasons, Complete: for Violin and Piano Reduction
This edition collects in one volume all four concertos that make up "The Four Seasons."
Reviews
"The print is of very good quality and the fingerings and bowings for the violin part are nice, some changes need to be done but just to make your own performing."
"This is for the advanced or professional and includes the piano as well as the violin parts."
"I gave it to my cousin's boyfriend for Christmas because he is great at playing the violin."
"Where is the violin "pull out" section?"
"good value for a complete piece."
"Brand new and delivered fast."
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Best Purcell

Henry Purcell (Oxford Studies of Composers)
It is the first book to explore in detail the historical context of Purcell's music, dealing fully with the institutions he worked for, the origin and development of the various genres to which he contributed, and the sources of his music. -- Observer Review "The great merits of the book derive from the fact that the author knows the music well both as scholar and as performer and similarly knows the music by Purcell's predecessors and contemporaries....It is as clear as its subject allows and perserverence is rewarding. -- Early Music Review "A balanced study of Pucell's music...his discussion of music is insightful, and his observations concerning instrumental developments are particularly valuable."
Reviews
"This is a lovely and lively performance of one of Purcell's best."
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Best Pergolesi

Music Minus One Cello: The Cello Soloist: Classic Solos for 'Cello and Piano (Sheet Music & 2 CDs)
This long-awaited re-release of a Music Minus One classic features a completely new edition of 17 famous solo cello works, complete with helpful tips for cellists playing them for the first time. Includes an authoritative, newly engraved music score printed on high-quality ivory paper, complete with performance suggestions from Mr. Thomas, and a compact disc containing a complete version with soloist; then a second version in digital stereo of the orchestral accompaniment, minus the soloist. Helping educate musicians since 1950, Music Minus One provides performers at every skill level, an easy way to study, rehearse and perform with professional musicians in the comfort of their own homes. Offering compact discs with accompanying solo music parts from world-renowned soloists, Music Minus One albums offer a superb practice experience.
Reviews
"It's a treat to hear your playing with other instruments, not to mention an excellent way to measure and achieve intonation."
"Unfortunately, it was too advanced for me, I was feeling like a bit of a failure, or at least a disappointment, to myself and my teacher already, so I gave it to my teacher. I'm not sure what I would think of it now, but I don't want to ask for it back as my teacher had his bag with music stolen from his car and I don't want to make him feel bad if it is gone."
"This is a good selection of music, and the accompaniments are well-done."
"Love the CD."
"This is a good way to practice well-known cello solos."
"great add-on to much of my current music - love the audio cd as well!"
"It is great to have an accompaniment as well as listening to a professional cellist."
"BTW If you have this book http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007MWBWTM?redirect=true&ref_=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_81 It's the same book just different cover."
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Best Vivaldi

Easy Classical Violin Solos: Featuring music of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Vivaldi and other composers.
Includes: 1812 Overture. A Little Night Music. The Blue Danube. Bourre from Lute Suite BWV 996. Bridal Chorus. Canon in D. La Donna é Mobile. Dance of the Flowers. Für Elise. Greensleeves. In the Hall of the Mountain King. Jesu, Joy of Man Desiring. Land of Hope and Glory. Lullaby. Minuet in G. Ode to Joy. Spring - Four Seasons.
Reviews
"I like it very much, but would like it better if you could print out the pages."
"excellent for a beginner like me."
"I have only gotten to D major in my studies (essential elements violin book 1), but there are a few songs I think I can learn by Christmas."
"the book had good music."
"I love love love playing from this book."
"Have been playing for about a year and wanted some new tunes to practise with."
"Terrible print quality and shoddy versions of melodies."
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Best Classical

Ludwig Van Beethoven Complete Piano Sonatas Volume 1 (Nos. 1-15)
Combining scrupulous scholarship and profound artistic vision, Schenker achieved an edition which is universally admired by musicians and scholars. This edition will be welcomed by all pianists, both professional and amateur, for its accuracy and reliability; it is highly desirable for instruction, study, reference, and enjoyment. The triumphant genius of Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) casts a long shadow over classical music — no other composer of the past two centuries has exercised an influence more profound than his.
Reviews
"Not that this book should be expected to address a longstanding problem with piano books, but even with the lay-flat binding, the front pages will keep shutting (this is just a peeve of mine, probably doesn't bother most people)."
"I could never really usee those because it was not easy to open and read, since this is a huge work (32 sonatas make a gross volume very impractical)."
"Easy to read, no mistakes that i can hear."
"Excellent urtext edition of this wonderful works."
"The famous musicologist Heinrich Schenker is known for his extreme attention to detail, including, for example, the directions of the stems (which other Urtext editions are not)."
"I love playing this and trying to sightread some of the movements."
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Best Early Romantic

Complete Preludes, Nocturnes & Waltzes: 26 Preludes, 21 Nocturnes, 19 Waltzes for Piano (Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics)
This new volume in Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics presents 26 preludes, 21 nocturnes and 19 waltzes a large amount of music at a value price.
Reviews
"Printing is not clear as I expected."
"Love this book and playing from it."
"It's Schimer -- what else can I say -- one of the best editions ever on the market."
"Came just like it stated, brand new and in a very short amount of time after I ordered it!!"
"I love Chopin music, and nocturnes and waltzes are my preferred."
"Pages Printed upside down on both shipments."
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Best Modern Popular

Look, I Made a Hat: Collected Lyrics (1981-2011) with Attendant Comments, Amplifications, Dogmas, Harangues, Digressions, Anecdotes and Miscellany
After his acclaimed and best-selling Finishing the Hat (named one of the New York Times 10 Best Books of 2010), Stephen Sondheim returns with the second volume of his collected lyrics, Look, I Made a Hat , giving us another remarkable glimpse into the brilliant mind of this living legend, and his life’s work. The handsomely designed book, like the first volume, contains illuminating reproductions of pages from the author's beloved legal pads on which he works out rhyme schemes, as well as annotated scripts and pages of musical notations. A” —Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly “While the book technically covers Mr. Sondheim’s output from 1981 to the present, aficionados will delight in all the bits and bobs from early in his career that Mr. Sondheim didn’t make room for in the first volume .
Reviews
"The Maestro wrote this erudite book, making it literate, engaging and terribly informative."
"If you agree with Tom Lehrer that Stephen Sondheim is the best lyricist of the 20th Century (I do but I would remover the temporal limitation), then these two books are an absolute must."
"If you enjoy Sondheim's shows, you need this book."
"The ultimate master class in lyric-writing, from the best musical theatre writer of all time."
"A real treat for those who enjoy Sondheim's lyrics."
"Very happy with product and seller!"
"I encourage all writers of music to read these two books."
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Best Late Romantic

The Oxford Book of Carols: Music edition
A firm favourite with choirs for many years, this is a classic collection of traditional carols. His searching and visionary imagination, combined with a flexibility in writing for all levels of music-making, has meant that his music is as popular today as it ever has been.
Reviews
"Composers, these texts have inspired countless Christmas pageants and have yet to exhaust their full potential."
"The book was a smaller sized edition than I expected, but serves well."
"Delighted to find this after being told by a friend it was a bit rare."
"A classic that makes the perfect gift!"
"quick delivery, good value, book in expected or better condition."
"Better than the shorter NOBC, more old stuff, much more affordable than the comprehensive OBC."
"This book was in existence when R V W was still alive!"
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Best Modern & 20th Century

Claude Debussy: Piano Music (1888-1905)
Beginning with Deux Arabesques (1888), it offers the Suite bergamasque (1890–1905), Réverie (1890), Danse (1890), Ballade (1890), Pour le piano (1896–1901), D'un cahier d'esquisses (1903), Extampes (1903), Mazurka (1891), Valse romantique (1890), Masques (1904), L'Isle joyeuse (1904), and the first series of Images (1905): Reflets dans l'eau, Hommage a Rameau, and Mouvement.
Reviews
"Since I don't know Debussy's works well, my student and I have found a great companion to this music book to be the following little book which gives information on each of Debussy's piano pieces and stylistic advice, written by someone who knew Debussy well: The Piano Works of Claude Debussy (Dover Books on Music)."
"Good price, good print, well bound, easy to turn pages, super selections including Clare de Lune and Arabesque in E Major, as well as a number of others of Debussy's best compositions for piano."
"Debussy is definitely one of the most genius composers ever."
"The print quality could be better but I'm still glad I bought it."
"This and the Beethoven sonatas."
"The same Dover editions we love, but easier to carry around!"
"This is a great collection of Debussy, and the productiion is top notch, and quality is great and also the print is easy to read and well spaced."
"Beautiful music now being played."
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