Best Mendelssohn Editions

[jameskaufmann]

Hello, all.

I am trying to decide which edition to purchase of the Songs Without Words, or the complete piano solo music of Mendelssohn.  I like urtext and good scholarship, but don't want to waste money if unnecessary.  I don't want to see markings or fingerings that were not put in by the composer.  I see that Dover, Schirmer (sp?), Alfred, and Henle all have editions, the last one being roughly two or three times as expensive as the others.  I have not found professional reviews of any editions on line, and editions on the retail sites don't tell me much, except that people like the music. (Duh!) One mentioned what he believed to be some wrong notes in the Alfred.  Please advise if you have experience and have had the chance to compare editions.  Thank you!   

[j_menz]

I have the Dover. It hangs together nicely and is perfectly legible, and I really don't like Mendelssohn that much anyway to cough up for the Henle.

[promusician]

There are editions of Mendelssohn's SWW, preludes and fugues published by ABRSM that are decently priced.

[chrisbutch]

The recent Barenreiter complete edition is by far the most comprehensive and authoritative, and is also beautifully produced.

[promusician]

The recent Barenreiter complete edition is by far the most comprehensive and authoritative, and is also beautifully produced.

The Barenreiter is not complete, the Leipzig edition is.

[chrisbutch]

Sorry, I should have added 'of the Songs without Words editions'.

[quantum]

There was an ABRSM edition of the SWW on sale at a local shop that I grabbed up.  At the time it seemed like a good purchase, but upon closer examination at home not so much.  The editors had made decisions to replace some of Mendelssohn indications with their own.  What is even more worrying is that there is no differentiation in markings between what is Mendelssohn and what is editorial.  IMO, avoid ABRSM edition for the SWW. 

There is nothing wrong with an edited edition.  The problems begin when editorial elements are not clearly disclosed, or the reader is put under the impression they are reading the composers indications when in fact they are not. 

[promusician]

There was an ABRSM edition of the SWW on sale at a local shop that I grabbed up.  At the time it seemed like a good purchase, but upon closer examination at home not so much.  The editors had made decisions to replace some of Mendelssohn indications with their own.  What is even more worrying is that there is no differentiation in markings between what is Mendelssohn and what is editorial.  IMO, avoid ABRSM edition for the SWW. 

There is nothing wrong with an edited edition.  The problems begin when editorial elements are not clearly disclosed, or the reader is put under the impression they are reading the composers indications when in fact they are not. 

Indeed. The Stewart Macpherson edition seems to be non Mendelssohn-friendly, but the preludes and fugues are by Howard Ferguson which is among the best editions ever produced.

[promusician]

Sorry, I should have added 'of the Songs without Words editions'.

I see. It contains several other pieces that is newly discovered but none of them make me interested.

[jameskaufmann]

Thank you all for your replies.   I am still undecided.  Am I summarizing correctly below:

Dover: 1 vote
ABRSM: 1
Barenreiter: 1

Of course, this is an oversimplification of the comments.  I imagine that Barenreiter is pricey, too, but I'll check.

I don't believe anyone has commented on the Henle.

[promusician]

I have a cheaper Henle edition of the SWW (Chinese reprint) which is sufficient enough, ABRSM edition of all P&Fs which I think was very good. The Dover is cheap, but it seldom lays flat, which is a nuisance.
The Henle seems to be the most complete but still, left out a few SWW, 4 sonatas, 6 fugues...

[jameskaufmann]

Just searched the price for the Barenreiter: $47!
I thought the Henle was high at $37.
Not worried about training Dover to lay flat.  Scores named Dover can be trained just as can dogs named Rover.  Don't want to support the illegal Chinese black market.  Decisions decisions...

Any more thoughts are welcome.

[outin]

Just searched the price for the Barenreiter: $47!

I have both the ABRSM (which sucks) and the Barenreiter. I think the latter is worth the price, but I'm afraid it needs a bit work to lay flat also...

[jameskaufmann]

Thanks, all.

I may end up splurging for the Henle or Barenreiter.  The deal maker or breaker may be that I'd rather not see fingerings not included by the composer.  I know they can be crossed out when necessary, but then my score becomes messier.  I read a post that said that the Henle included "work-saving fingerings."  No thank you!  Any thoughts on Henle vs. Barenreiter regarding this little point or any other concern?

James

[chrisbutch]

I'm afraid the Barenreiter includes editorial fingering also (although unobtrusive). So still no tie-breaker!
One of the things I like about Barenreiter Urtext is the unusually large page size (similar to that once conventionally used by French publishers). This, and the generous pagination, makes them particularly easy to read.

[jameskaufmann]

Thanks all, for your comments.

I went ahead and ordered the Henle.  It's a little cheaper than Barenreiter and I figured it couldn't be THAT different.  One can only sit on the fence so long.

Cheers!

James

[promusician]

FYI, the Barenreiter edition at bookdepository.com only sold for USD32.88 with free shipping, definitely a grab.