Author Description

Between 1895 and 1903, Sibelius composed ten piano pieces that were later compiled into op.24. They were first printed individually by various publishers in Helsinki. Shortly thereafter, Breitkopf & Härtel acquired the small works and, with the composer's permission, grouped them together under the opus number 24, but without printing them in one joint edition. As the years went by, the Caprice (No.3) and the Romance (No.9) became particular favourites among pianists. They are appealing both as recital pieces and as encores, and are still available as single editions. The entire collection was released in one volume, for the first time, as part of the Complete edition. The new edition of the "Ten Pieces" op.24 is based on this edition - although to be precise, the book contains twelve piano pieces, since there are alternative versions of Idyll (No.6) and Andantino (No.7)!