Eighteen Characteristic Studies, Opus 109 Cover Image

Eighteen Characteristic Studies, Opus 109: Piano Book

$8.95 USD

Eighteen Characteristic Studies, Opus 109: Piano Book

Name: Eighteen Characteristic Studies, Opus 109: Piano Book
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-K03276
Price: 8.95 USD
Availability: InStock

By Johann Friedrich Burgmüller

Item: 00-K03276

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Friedrich Burgmüller, (1806--1874) was a German pianist and composer. This collection of technical works includes: Confidence * The Pearls * The Shepherd's Return * The Gypsies * The Spring * Light-hearted Maiden * Lullaby * Agitato * Matin Bell * Velocity * Serenade * Awakening in the Wood * The Storm * Lay of the Gondolier * Les Sylphes * Parting * March * At the Spinningwheel.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Eighteen Characteristic Studies, Opus 109: Piano Book comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Kalmus Edition

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 36

ISBN10: 5-76925-419-X

ISBN13: 978-5-76925-419-2

UPC: 029156637625

SKU: 00-K03276

More about this title

About the Composer: Johann Friedrich Burgmüller

Johann Friedrich Burgmüller (1806–1874) was a German pianist and composer whose teaching works became foundational in piano pedagogy across Europe and America. Active as both a performer and educator in Paris during the mid-19th century, he developed a systematic approach to technical instruction that balanced musical substance with progressive difficulty, earning him lasting influence among piano teachers.

Burgmüller's compositions remain essential study material because they treat technique not as abstract drill but as a vehicle for musical expression. His characteristic studies pair the development of specific pianistic skills with poetic titles and genuine melodic content, making technical work engaging for intermediate students.

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Why we love this

These eighteen studies are ideally calibrated for students ready to move beyond basic technique without leaping into virtuosic literature. Each piece targets a distinct technical challenge—hand independence, passage work, pedal control, rhythmic precision—while maintaining enough musical interest that students feel they're learning repertoire, not just exercises.

What to expect

A collection that ranges from lyrical and introspective ("Lullaby," "Awakening in the Wood") to spirited and playful ("The Gypsies," "Light-hearted Maiden") and dramatic ("The Storm," "Agitato"). The Romantic-era sensibility gives these pieces melodic warmth and expressive depth that reward musical interpretation.

Who it's for

Intermediate pianists (roughly grades 3–4 in most curricula) who have mastered fundamentals and are building technical fluency across hand position, finger independence, and basic pedal work. These studies also serve as excellent supplementary material for piano students in private lessons who benefit from structured, graduated technical development.

How to get the most out of it

Approach the character pieces with genuine attention to their programmatic titles; "The Storm" and "The Gypsies" demand dramatic commitment, not mechanical playing.
Work pedal gradually into pieces like "Serenade" and "Lullaby"; introduce it as a musical color, not an afterthought.
Practice passage work ("Velocity," "Les Sylphes") by isolating small sections and building tempo incrementally rather than playing full-tempo too early.
Shape each study as a complete musical statement with clear phrasing and dynamics, especially in the gentler pieces, to develop interpretive awareness alongside technical skill.

How to use it

Assign studies sequentially through a lesson year or semester, allowing students to build confidence and skills progressively. Select individual pieces for student recitals, particularly the character studies, which offer strong musical identity in a modest performance span and engage audiences with their evocative titles.