Popper - Adagio, Minuet No. 2, and Polonaise No. 3, Op. 65 (Urtext Edition)

David Popper often published his works in sets. His Drei Stücke, Op. 65, appeared in three installments throughout 1891 (plates 8183, 8184, and 8185). Unlike some of his other collections, such as the Spanish Dances or his various suites, which were united under a single descriptive title, Op. 65 was issued simply as Drei Stücke, with the titles of all three works listed at the top of the title page.

This publication is notable as one of the very few instances in which Popper released a first edition simultaneously with two publishers: his long-time Leipzig publisher Friedrich Hofmeister and the New York firm G. Schirmer. The edition was overseen by William Scharfenberg, who was employed by G. Schirmer at the time. While today an editor’s role might include the addition of fingerings, bowings, and performance suggestions, Scharfenberg’s contribution was limited to general editorial supervision and quality control, a common practice among publishers of the period.

Each of the three pieces in Op. 65 was dedicated to a different individual, which was typical for Popper. The first, a dramatic Adagio, is dedicated to Alwin Schröder, best known for his 170 Foundation Studies for Violoncello. Schröder was also the dedicatee of the first volume (of four) of Popper’s High School of Cello Playing, Op. 73. He is known to have performed Popper’s Spinnlied, Op. 55, No. 1, and Vito, Op. 54, No. 5 (see: https://www.schroeder170.org/popper-spinnlied).

The second work, a graceful and light-hearted Menuetto No. 2 (the first minuet being Op. 48), is dedicated to Siegmund Bürger. In 1892, Popper performed his Requiem for Three Cellos and Orchestra with Bürger and Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig Grützmacher (nephew of the more famous cellist-composer).

The final piece in the set, Polonaise No. 3, follows in the lineage of Popper’s earlier Polonaises, Opp. 14 and 28. Stylistically, this third Polonaise more closely recalls the brilliance of Wieniawski and Chopin than the more symphonic character of Tchaikovsky or Lyadov, which is evident in the earlier examples. It is dedicated to Rudolf André, likely a relative of Popper’s publisher, Johann André.

The Op. 65 collection forms an interesting counterpart to Popper’s early Op. 11 set, which also opens with a serious Widmung (Adagio), followed by a lighthearted Humoresque and a dance-inspired Mazurka.

This edition is based on the first edition published jointly by Hofmeister and G. Schirmer. All editorial changes and deviations from the original text are indicated in the score.