The Castle Album, Part 2: from Peches de Vieillesse (Sins of Old Age), Vol. 8 Cover Image

The Castle Album, Part 2: from Peches de Vieillesse (Sins of Old Age), Vol. 8: Piano, Solo, Unaccompanied, Solo

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The Castle Album, Part 2: from Peches de Vieillesse (Sins of Old Age), Vol. 8 Cover Image
The Castle Album, Part 2: from Peches de Vieillesse (Sins of Old Age), Vol. 8: Piano, Solo, Unaccompanied, Solo

The Castle Album, Part 2: from Peches de Vieillesse (Sins of Old Age), Vol. 8: Piano, Solo, Unaccompanied, Solo

By Gioachino Rossini, ed. Sergio Cafaro

Item: 36-M143391
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Description
While best known for his operas, Gioachina Rossini (1792-1868) did compose other music, among which is the large collection, PÉCHÉS DE VIEILLESSE ("SINS OF OLD AGE"). Composed of 150 vocal, chamber and solo piano pieces, the collection is grouped into fourteen albums, with the ordering of the works in each album not reflective of the dates or sequence of composition. Written as salon music, intended for performance in the privacy of Rossini's own drawing room, the entire collection was sold by Rossini's widow following his death in 1868. Vol. 8, titled ALBUM DE CHÂTEAU (THE CASTLE ALBUM), was written for solo piano and includes twelve total pieces. Six of those works are available from the publisher across two books: M143291 and M143391. These constitute the pieces included in QR xvii. The remaining six pieces are from QR ii and QR x, and those are not available from the publisher. Included in Book 2: Valse Anti-Dansante, F; Prélude Semipastorale, A; Prélude Soi-Disant Dramatique, F#. Reprint edition.

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Additional Details
Series: Master Keyboard Series - LudwigMasters
Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.
ISBN10: 1-63-887432-8
ISBN13: 978-1-63-887432-4
UPC: 660355120817
SKU: 36-M143391
Instrumentation: Piano Solo

More about this title

About the Composer: Gioachino Rossini

Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868) dominated European opera for nearly four decades, crafting witty comedies and dramatic works that defined the bel canto tradition. Yet his output extended far beyond the stage. In his later years, particularly after his retirement from operatic composition, Rossini turned inward, creating Péchés de Vieillesse, a collection of 150 pieces that reveal an artist experimenting with intimate forms and harmonic refinement away from public expectation.

Why we love this

These pieces showcase Rossini's gift for melody and structural elegance stripped of operatic grandeur. Written for the salon rather than the concert hall, they offer pianists character-driven miniatures that reward attention to phrasing and touch without demanding virtuosic display. The collection provides educators with accessible yet substantive repertoire from a composer students often know only through opera.

What to expect

These three preludes and valse evoke drawing room refinement, where wit and melodic grace matter more than spectacle. The music shifts between pastoral repose and understated drama, with harmonic turns that surprise without alarming. Each piece breathes as intimate conversation rather than public declaration.

Who it's for

Intermediate pianists seeking elegant character pieces beyond standard pedagogical fare. Teachers looking to introduce students to Rossini's compositional range and the salon music tradition. Advanced early-intermediate students preparing for recitals that call for shorter, contrasting works.

How to get the most out of it

  • Honor the salon origins by shaping phrases with restraint; these pieces reward clarity of line over volume.
  • Pay close attention to Rossini's articulation markings, which often define the character more than tempo alone.
  • Approach the harmonic surprises with directness rather than exaggeration; let the music speak through refined voicing.
  • Listen to recordings of salon performance practice to understand the intimate context these pieces demand.

How to use it

Pair one or more pieces with other salon-era character miniatures from European composers to create a themed concert segment on 19th-century domestic music. Use the Valse Anti-Dansante to bridge between more serious repertoire, offering relief through its wry charm. Include a single prelude on a recital as a refined transition piece that demonstrates historical breadth.

Skills your students will build

  • Phrasing and legato control in the absence of pedal dependency
  • Recognition of harmonic color and voice-leading refinement
  • Stylistic understanding of salon and chamber music conventions
  • Navigation of Rossini's ornamentation and articulation vocabulary
  • Interpretation of character marking titles (Semipastorale, Anti-Dansante, Dramatique)

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