Piano Sonata Op. 1, New Rev.

By Alban Berg

I too had been working from the first edition. I admit I like its German indications more than than the updated, more international Italian indications of this edition. However, there were some details of the score that were actually ambiguous (possibly even wrong) in the earlier edition that this one...

clarifies and it is indeed much easier to read.This is also amazing music. It's surprisingly singable for its harmonic language. For me, it's hard work but very rewarding.

Universal Publishers are excellent for the clarity of notation, which is an important asset for the composers of the Second Viennese School with the rapidly changing accidentals. Berg's Sonata is a perfect introduction to this composer's poetic but modern style.

After months of struggling with the older Universal version, with its sometimes blurred print, this is an absolute treat for the eyes and your hands...I am so glad I took a chance ordering this, as well as the Henle version! (I'll keep the older version for the record...

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I used the old edition of the Berg Sonata years ago and purchased the new edition now that I am revisiting the work. There is no question in my mind that the new edition is worth buying. The new edition is extremely easy on the eyes. It is 14 pages...

rather than the 9 of the old edition (which is unbelievably cramped) and the contrast (very dark print)is excellent. In addition, various errors have been corrected, although, as far as I can see, these were either obvious mistakes or very subtle ones. The new edition also contains several pages of scholarly notes (historical and musicological).

This one-movement Sonata is generally acknowledged as Berg's entry into his mature period. The key-signature is for b-minor, and as far as I can determine, there are only 2 V (with added/altered tones) to i (minor triad) in this composition. Between these to tonal "anchors...

" the music wends its way through the chromatic scale promising to introduce new keys, but snatching them away just as quickly. It is a listening post for an example of mid-European harmony ca. 1900-1910. Extremely difficult to learn and perform, but a masterpiece that every piano student should at least begin to tackle. Very thick and "notey" and the articulation of themes is always thorny because the writing is so dense. An excellent lexicon of "funky" chords and "quirky" resolutions.