Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy's 'Six Children's Pieces' were composed for the children of his English friends and were among the last works he had printed.
Composer Biography
Joseph Haydn, who had no children of his own, imbued his music with a playful sense of experimentation, humour, and whimsicality.
Historical Context
When the older pieces on this album were composed, childhood as we know it today did not exist, and children were often seen as miniature adults.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Johann Sebastian Bach's teaching pieces, even short ones, were intended as a systematic preparatory tool for a professional career as a musician.
Historical Context
Robert Schumann and Carl Reinecke were among the first composers to write small pieces aimed at awakening young pianists' imagination rather than just demanding finger exercises.
Composition History
Nino Rota, famous for his film soundtracks and Oscar wins, composed 'Seven Difficult Pieces for Children' which sound like teaching pieces, not catchy film melodies.
Interpretation
The pianist Corinna Simon deliberately plays the program in non-chronological order, likening it to dipping into a treasure trove.
