Chopin Preludes (w/CD).

[website] Chopin Preludes (w/CD), edited by Brian Ganz. Hal Leonard Corp., (7777 W. Bluemound Rd., P.O. Box 1381R Milwaukee, WI 53213), 2005. 96 pp. $12.95.a

This new edition of Chopin Preludes is worth exploring, even by those of us with multiple editions already in our personal libraries. Editor Brian Ganz writes that he intended "to offer the pianist tools for removing the cellophane from these much loved and familiar pieces and discovering their originality anew." Extensive notes, an easy-to-read layout and the inclusion of Ganz's CD recording of the preludes, make this edition a bargain.

The "future" of performance editions is here: most of the performance notes exist only online, although a preview of the editor's notes is included in the book. Based on the preview, Ganz's notes are instructive and stimulating. For each prelude, he includes a wealth of comments, pedaling possibilities, suggested phrase structure and questions designed to guide students toward further exploration (with an appendix containing his answers to these questions). Unfortunately, I was unable to access the online notes. The printed edition directs you to click on the "Closer Look" icon, but no such icon appeared on the website. I contacted the publisher through the website but did not receive a response in time for this review.

Ganz's approaches to ornamentation and pedaling are the most salient features of this edition, providing a wonderful teaching opportunity that enables students to arrive at their own informed decisions. Ganz advocates a "non-dogmatic approach regarding the interpretation of ornaments," and provides examples of ornaments with more than one realization, including explanations of how one could arrive at either decision. His comments about pedaling are equally insightful. Ganz "translates" Chopin's separate pedal depression and release symbols into a modern horizontal line notation. This, combined with a larger visual layout, makes this score easier to read than earlier editions. Ganz's elegant performance of these preludes is exemplary for its voicing and clarity of texture, and he practices what he preaches with regard to pedaling. Whether students and teachers will take advantage of the online notes remains to be seen, but Ganz's edition is refreshing in its pedagogical instincts. Reviewed by Tracy Cowden, NCTM, Blacksburg, Virginia.

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