Buy Music(乐谱)in China and Save

Warning: To save your valuable time, read this post is only if you have a child(ren) who is studying a popular musical instrument (such as piano or violin) at or near the advanced level.




If you do, you probably have already heard about the importance of reading off a reliable edition, such as one of the Urtext editions, to learn a new piece of music. Since the middle of 20th century, more and more serious musicians, including music teachers, are relying on so-called Urtext editions to render their performance or teaching. However, the cost could be steep. For instance, a set of Urtext complete Haydn Piano Sonatas could cost you $ $105-120, while some other editions priced as low as $30.

Here is the trick: Many of us are traveling back and forth between US and China, and often buy less expensive goods from China and bring it the States. Now, we can do the same with some of the music (乐谱) our kids are learning. Using the same example above, the over $100 Wiener Urtext edition of complete Haydn Sonatas are selling for RMB 133 (tax included). Or, a set of Beethoven Piano Sonatas, by Henle Verlog, costs $100+tax, vs. RMB 110. And, they are NOT illegal copies, despite of the fractional price on the tag.

There are quite a few Chinese publishers import editions from the West to China. How to spot a reliable edition? Disregard what printed or stickered on the covers, such as “原版引进”, “权威版本” or their equivalences. There are four publisher in the West represent good scholastic value in this regard. They are G. Henle Verlag, Wiener, Barenreiter and Peter. Only G. Henle Verlag and Wiener are spotted in China right now. And they are through assorted Chinese publishers, as人民音乐出版社, 中国青年出版社, and上海教育出版社. Most of the Chinese publishers try to keep the original appearances, such as Wiener edition always has a bright orange cover, while Henle has a bluish-gray cover. Only人民音乐出版社 sometimes redesigns the cover, but keeps the logos. If you are interested, go visit their web sites, or a local sheet music store, and get yourself familiarized with the books. That will help to spot them in bookstores in China.

Again, it is not for everyone. Only if,
1. Your child is a relatively advanced and mature player;
2. Is studying one of the most popular instruments. Other instrumentalists have to wait a few more years;
3. He/she has a knowledgeable (updated) teacher. Not all teacher are comfortable with the Urtext editions. They are “too” plain for many;
4. You are visiting one of the major cities in China. I am sure that there are BJ and SH. Other cities, you have to look harder;
5. You are looking for standard repertoire. The choices are still very small;
6. You are strong enough to carry heavy load of books back to the states.

If you are interested in knowing more about good editions, Urtext or/and their importance, you may visit the following sites:

http://www.saraband.com.au/good_edition.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urtext

所有跟帖： 

• 回复：Buy Music(乐谱)in China and Save -ChenEr- ♀ (83 bytes) () 03/30/2006 postreply 10:54:34

• It is right in theory but may not be in practice -外乡人- ♂ (393 bytes) () 03/30/2006 postreply 11:58:42

• What was why I limited them to advanced level students. -Passerby- ♀ (458 bytes) () 03/30/2006 postreply 13:29:08