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My teacher has assigned Brahms' Intermezzo Op. 117 #2. He told me about the online music retailer Burt and Company Discount Music Supply (www.burtnco.com).


Here is what I have in mind: I like clear large typset, not those 120 year old plates that Schirmer uses. I don't like when they cram a long piece onto one page; I don't mind turning pages. I like the idea of original editions. I also like durable binding that lays (or is it lies?) flat on the music desk.

They have 9 listings. Which publisher do you recommend and why.

Brahms Intermezzi Op. 117


(Palmer)Alfred 2417 $4.95
Peters p03931 $10.95
(Urtext) Carisch Mk13230u $3.95
Kalmus k03257 $5.50
Henle 0021 $8.95
Peters p08944 $5.95
Schirmer 50259700 $7.95
Vienna Urtext Ut51015 $14.95

[ October 03, 2001: Message edited by: kenny ]

I don't own the Op. 117 pieces, but I can say STAY AWAY FROM KALMUS. Kalmus has a reputation for cramming as much as possible onto each page.

In general, Henle and Vienna Urtext have the best page layout and engraving. Does anybody know if the fingerings and editorial additions in the Alfred Brahms publications are gray print, like their Bach editions?

[ October 04, 2001: Message edited by: MacDuff ]

Kenny:

I have the Henle edition of the Op. 117 Intermezzi and, of those you have listed, I would certainly recommend it. (The second is my favorite of the three pieces in this opus). Henle prints it over five beautifully spread-out pages in their typical and exemplary clear print. The whole Op 17 in this edition is a slim 16 pages so it lies flat on the stand very well. There is a minimal amount of fingering in this edition, but with the Op 117, No 2, one doesn't need it; it falls so beautifully into the hand.

Regards,

I don't have any of these editions and know nothing of Brahms, but I'm quite sure Henle's the one you're looking for. Large typeset, very clear, thoughtful layout and pagebreaks, original, and most of my Henle stuff lies flat.

HENLE! The typesetting, the nice off-white paper, the way it lays flat on the music desk without having to prop it open. I LOVE MY HENLE. I just purchased the Dover edition of Chopin's Mazurkas ($9 something compared to $30 something for the Henle) I wish I would've spent the extra money. Not that they are written poorly, just that I have to pile books on either side to keep it OPEN. Sigh. Jodi
Oh, and check out www.pattimusic.com - I would be interested to see how they compare price-wise.

[ October 04, 2001: Message edited by: jodi ]

I have the Alfred (edited by Willard Palmer) Brahms Op. 117 Intermezzi No. 1-3 (No. 3 is my favorite). There are no gray editorial prints. I do not own but I have seen the Schirmer, Kalmus and the Dover editions. Of the ones I own or have seen, Schirmer has the best print set.

Eric