Schirmer Editions

Schirmer Editions Meant I had Arrived

I started taking piano lessons during the summer of 1962, so, I was six, turning seven that December. I always observed the books that other students brought to lessons.  And depending on the color of the music book, or style, I perceived if I had a certain musical edition of  book, that I had arrived as a pianist.  I was making progress!

That was never more true than when my piano teacher Mrs. Katherine Lemon bought me the Schrimer edition of The Sonatina Album.  Schirmer editions had the distinctive yellowish -gold color, with an orderly green border of leaves around the edges of the book.  The back of any Schirmer edition listed the many other Schirmer editions of classical composers that you could purchase.  But the back of the Schirmer edition to me, was a compiled list of what I should strive to play.  Yes when one sees the title Schirmer Library of Musical Classics, that implied you were finally headed somewhere as a pianist.

I would dream of playing a Bach Fugue or Toccata, wearing a black velvet dress, seated at a 9 foot black Steinway, and also wearing a very expensive diamond bracelet.  After I played this amazing piece, I would stand and accept the applause of my many ardent fans.  Yes, having a Schirmer edition, cause me to have such an amazing fantasy.

I also took my Sonatina Album to school in seventh grade, yes OE Dunckel Junior High in Farmington Hills, Michigan, to make a statement to the world, that yes, because of my Schirmer edition, I was truly that advanced.  I just thought, that other piano players in my class, mainly Catherine Schroeder and Scott Terrill, would know that I had moved beyond my childish piano books and I was in fact, in the big leagues.  So carrying a Schirmer edition to school, proved my ability to the world, but I think in reality, it simply reinforced the fact that I was just a nerdy seventh grader who liked classical music.

As time has worn on, piano editions of classical composer have evolved and improved.  I have had the Schirmer edition of Bach Two - Part inventions for years, but now I also have an Alfred Masterwork edition of the Inventions , edited by Willard A. Palmer  On some level the Alfred Masterwork edition, is helpful, in that the inventions are spaced out over several pages, and it makes for easier reading as I have moved on in years.  Also the Alfred edition, provides details about ornamentation and dotted rhythms.  This comes in handy, when you are not under a teacher's watchful eye.  In that way, you don't go "rogue" in your interpretation of how Bach wanted the invention to be played.

However, the orderly look of the Schirmer edition of any classical piece to this day, says to me that you have achieved a certain level, a standard.  I know on some level it is a bold faced lie, because now a pianist can put a Bach invention on an i pad, and play with accuracy, and musicality, with no hint of it being a Schirmer edition piece of music.

No matter the edition, nothing can take the place of hard work, separate hand practice, playing slowly, or working on a difficult measure until the problem is solved.  But having Schirmer editions reminds me of the possibilities in piano playing.  I can open that beautiful book, and sit down and review my former teacher's notes, and return to playing that piece well even if just for that day, that moment, that minute in time.

I've said it before but my favorite instrument never stops amazing me!