Popper - Concert-Etudes, Op. 55 and 3 Pieces, Op. 64 (Urtext Edition)

David Popper often published his works in sets. His Drei Stücke, Op. 64, appeared at separate times through Breitkopf & Härtel and D. Rahter in 1892 (Rahter plate numbers 59, 60, and 61). Unlike some of his collections, such as the Spanish Dances or the various suites, which are unified under a single descriptive title, Op. 64 was issued simply as Drei Stücke, with the individual titles of the three works listed together on the title page. An exception exists in the authorized French edition of No. 1, Wie einst in schöner’n Tagen, which features its own beautifully engraved title page.

Wie einst in schöner’n Tagen is a tender and nostalgic piece dedicated “To the Memory of my Unforgettable Parents,” written in memory of Popper’s recently deceased parents. This lyrical miniature has been arranged for numerous instruments and remains one of Popper’s most beloved short works. It belongs among his more accessible character pieces, alongside Herbstblume and Gnomentanz from Im Walde, and shows clear affinities with Jewish klezmer idioms, as does his Little Russian Fantasy, Op. 43.

The second work in the set is Popper’s third Tarantella, dedicated to Jean Gérardy (also the dedicatee of the Hungarian Rhapsody). Despite its brilliance, this Tarantella has remained largely overlooked, eclipsed by the more popular Op. 33 of the same title. Written in a concise sonata form in the home key of A major, the work bears the intriguing marking “tutti” in one of the piano passages, suggesting a possible but unrealized orchestral conception.

The final piece, Wiegenlied, is a gentle lullaby dedicated to Popper’s second wife, Olga, who tragically perished in Terezín in November 1942. Written in 4/8 time and ternary form, it stands as one of Popper’s most intimate and personal compositions.

This edition (published together with the Op. 55 Concert Etudes in one volume) is based on the first edition issued by D. Rahter. All editorial changes and deviations from the original text are clearly indicated in the score.