Masterpieces for Piano | Exploring the Series
In recent years, publishers have taken to producing curated collections of works - and if Faber Music’s anthologies are anything to go by, often on a bumper scale! As well as bringing together a whole range of pieces by different composers, they are often excellent value for money. If sales are anything to go by, then our appetite for these anthologies remains undiminished.
Whilst these volumes have tended to draw on a range of composers and arrangers, the Masterpieces for Piano series from Edition Peters is devoting each volume to a single composer. Many of us will have grown up with the familiar cream and green Edition Peters covers, so introducing these eye-catching variations heralds a new era for the publisher:
‘Musicians the world over instantly recognise the iconic brand and covers. Launched in 1867, the Green Series revolutionised the music industry and quickly became a global phenomenon…The Masterpieces for Piano series is inspired by the wealth of core classical repertoire found in the Green Series.’
To date, five volumes have been issued in the Masterpieces for Piano series:
Mozart (EP20010)
Beethoven (EP20011)
Schubert (EP20012)
Mendelssohn (EP20036)
Clara Schumann (EP20037)
Who is the Masterpieces for Piano series for?
Teachers, professional pianists, and serious amateurs - as well as composer-devotees - are likely to own multiple volumes, often in a range of editions - for example, the complete Mozart Sonatas, all of Mendelssohn’s Songs Without Words, and the full set of Bagatelles by Beethoven.
But for many, time and space - along with a desire to explore a wider range of composers - mean that these volumes offer a great selection of works representing the full range of a composer’s output in a single book. In this respect, they are both affordable and accessible.
Whilst it is stated that they cover intermediate to advanced level, some early-grade pieces are also included which means that the Masterpieces for Piano series offers a timeless treasure trove to which pianists can return to over and over again.
The Publications: Quality and Value
We have come to expect excellent publications from Edition Peters - after all, they’ve built on a distinguished history stretching back to 1800 - and these volumes in the Masterpieces for Piano series, are no exception. It is worth noting that the fingering and editorial guidance is derived from the original editions in the Green Series, but all the works have been freshly typeset. The music is very clear, the light cream colour of the pages adding to the quality of these publications.
The beautiful covers in a delicious, velvety matt finish, really do make these editions stand out. I can imagine many pianists collecting these volumes to add to their library as they’re published - they will make a gorgeous set. They would also make splendid gift items. At under £20, they offer phenomenal value for money - I can’t help but think that Edition Peters are underselling the quality here!
Summary
Overall, these are beautiful books offering a real treasure trove of music at an affordable price point. Despite their excellent value for money, the quality remains as high as ever - whether you collect the series or purchase these books as gifts, you will not be disappointed. These are books to be enjoyed and treasured for a lifetime.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Below, discover my thoughts on each volume as it is published.
Mozart | Masterpieces for Piano
The first book in the Masterpieces for Piano series contains 38 piano works by Mozart. Presented in progressive order, from the 16-bar ‘Minuet in C’, KV 6,03, from Notebook for Nannerl, to the great Sonata in A with its famous conclusion, the ‘Rondo alla turca’, the book offers a treasure trove of pieces by one the greatest composers.
Whilst it’s suggested that the book covers intermediate to advanced level, some of the early pieces, for example the ‘Minuet in F’ KV 2, have been set previously at Grade 1. Whilst the volume includes many shorter pieces, just half a page to a page, longer works are also represented, for example, the 12 Variations in C, KV 265, at 9 pages. There is a good mixture of well-known and less-familiar works, so very much something for everyone. The beautiful cover image features Jean Honoré Fragonard’s painting, The Swing.
Beethoven | Masterpieces for Piano
32 works by Beethoven are included in this volume, once more, presented in order of increasing difficulty. The book opens with the Three German Dances, WoO 8, and concludes with, at 17 pages, his epic 32 Variations on an Original Theme, WoO 80.
Familiar favourites are represented here - his Bagatelle in A minor, No. 25 WoO 59, needs no further introduction. Compared to the Mozart volume above, the pieces included here do generally fall into the intermediate to advanced category. What I particularly liked about this volume is that as well as some of the complete sonatas, the book also contains select movements, for example, the ‘Adagio cantabile’ from the Pathétique.
Again, a good mix of familiar and less-familiar works, and on the cover, John Martin’s painting, Sadak in Search of the Waters of Oblivion.
Schubert | Masterpieces for Piano
Of the first five volumes in the Masterpieces for Piano series, Schubert’s is, perhaps, the most weighty. Over 176 pages, 38 works are included representing the wide range of Schubert’s output for solo piano.
I have to confess that I am less familiar with Schubert’s piano works, so don’t feel very qualified to comment at length! From the opening Three Ecossaises, at a single page (8 bars each) to the monumental Sonata in A at 18 pages, I liked the mix - as I did in all volumes - of shorter and longer works. It means that as well as enabling pianists to dip in out of the books, there are plenty of meatier works to get your teeth stuck into.
The particularly attractive cover features Albert Rieger’s painting, Wasserfall mit Mühle. Credit also to typesetter extraordinaire, Donald Thomson, for his meticulous attention to detail in the music setting of these volumes.
Mendelssohn | Masterpieces for Piano
As soon as Mendelssohn’s name is mentioned, I suspect many people think immediately of his Songs Without Words. They offer, indeed, a beautiful selection of pieces - but other works are available.
Some of those ‘other works’ are included in the fourth volume in the Masterpieces for Piano series, which features 32 solo piano works by Mendelssohn. Opening with the Children’s Pieces, Op. 72, his Three Fantasias or Capriccios, Op.16, Rondo capriccioso, Op. 14, and Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op.105 also feature.
Nevertheless, the bulk of the volume is made up with selections from his Songs Without Words. These, of course, cover a huge range of styles, and are full of quite differing characteristics, so this is by no means a criticism. If you have already enjoyed some of the Songs Without Words, then there are a range of other pieces included in this volume to encourage you to explore Mendelssohn’s piano works further.
The cover features one of Mendelssohn’s own paintings, Blick auf Florenz (View of Florence) (I confess, I didn’t know that Mendelssohn was an accomplished artist as well as a composer!)
Clara Schumann | Masterpieces for Piano
At 168 pages, the 5th volume in the Masterpieces for Piano series features 20 works by Clara Schumann, as well as the piano version of Robert Schumann’s song, Widmung Op. 25 No. 1. This volume is the first to include an introduction, here from compiler, Eva Meitner. I found this really useful, and wished that all the books had included such a short and inviting preface. Perhaps something to consider for future volumes, Edition Peters?
For many, the piano works of Clara Schumann are generally unknown, so it’s really great to have a compiled volume offering an excellent overview of her output in this area. There are so many beautiful romantic works to explore here, from short to long pieces, as well as multi-movement sets such as her Soirês musicales, Op. 6.
This is perhaps the most important volume of the first five in the Masterpieces for Piano series, as Clara Schumann’s piano works have not always been easily available, and largely sidelined in favour of her husband and others. If you were to buy just one of the first five volumes, this is it. The cover features Josefina Holmlund’s painting, Landskap med Två Jämtar (1871).
Mozart: Masterpieces for Piano compiled by Roland Erben, was published in 2025 by Edition Peters, ISBN 9890577024547, RRP £19.95.
Beethoven: Masterpieces for Piano compiled by Roland Erben, was published in 2025 by Edition Peters, ISBN 9890577024554, RRP £19.95.
Schubert: Masterpieces for Piano compiled by Roland Erben, was published in 2025 by Edition Peters, ISBN 9890577024561, RRP £19.95.
Mendelssohn: Masterpieces for Piano compiled by Roland Erben, was published in 2025 by Edition Peters, ISBN 9890577025780, RRP £19.95.
Clara Schumann: Masterpieces for Piano compiled by Eva Meitner, was published in 2026 by Edition Peters, ISBN 9890577025797, RRP £19.95.
I was sent a review copy of these books free of charge; however, this review is my honest opinion as a teacher. You can find my Reviews Policy here.
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Star ratings reflect my personal opinion based on usefulness, creativity, presentation, and appeal for teachers and players. I only review publications I can genuinely recommend (3 stars and above):
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Worth exploring - A solid and dependable publication with moments of interest.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Recommended - Thoughtful and well-presented; many teachers and players will enjoy using it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Highly recommended - Beautifully written, inspiring, and one I’ll return to often.
