Classical Folk: 15 International Folksongs Phillip Keveren Series [Paperback] Review

Phillip Keveren is well-known in the piano world for his arranging.He doesn't disappoint in this book.15 piano solos include 'The Galway Piper,' 'Jacob's Ladder,' and 'When Johnny Comes Marching Home.'

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Product Description:
15 folk songs from around the world: (Oh, My Darling) Clementine * Frere Jacques (Are You Sleeping?) * Greensleeves * Hatikvah (with Hope) * Jacob's Ladder * La Vera Sorrentina (The Fair Maiden of Sorrento) * Swing Low, Sweet Chariot * and more.

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The Complete Preludes and Etudes for Pianoforte Solo [Paperback] Review

Scriabin was a contemporary of Rachmaninoff, in fact, he studied under the same teacher. Like Rachmaninoff, he was a bridge composer between the late Romantic and the 20th Century period. He was far more modern, in fact, than Rachmaninoff, though his early works were profoundly influenced by Chopin (Rachmaninoff less so--he was influenced by Chopin but also Tchaikovsky.)
Despite the fact both composers shared Russian heritage and a love of the piano, Rachmaninoff did not admire Scriabin's works, saying he had gone off in a wrong direction. While I love Rachmaninoff's piano works intensely, I have to say that he was really wrong about Scriabin. This is some of the most gorgeous, introspective, Impressionist piano music ever written.
Scriabin had a tragically short life, yet he composed quite a number of etudes, preludes, sonatas and other short piano works. Dover has done a huge favor by putting all the preludes and etudes into a single volume. There is enough material here for years of exploration into the music of a piano master. The edition is a compact volume that manages to sit well on the piano music stand, and the music print is clear and easy to read.

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Product Description:
Russian composer and pianist Scriabin is best known for his perfectly spun miniatures. This volume collects his finest pieces, the complete etudes and preludes for the solo piano. Chopinesque works include the 12 etudes from Op. 8 and the 24 Preludes, Op. 11; Preludes, Opp. 33 and 48; and the Etudes, Op. 42.

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Perfect Wrong Note - Learning to Trust Your Musical Self (Softcover) (Amadeus) [Paperback] Review

I am a professional musician, a retired piano teacher of 25 years. In October of 2004, I produced my first cd of pre-Baroque pieces into an album called, "Carry the Light."Recently, I found out about "The Perfect Wrong Note" by William Westney from a friend. The book is stunning, progressive and suffice it to say, it will rub some traditionalist the wrong way.Westney totally challenges traditional teaching methods and rightly so. There is a revealing "Question and Answer" section in the book on pp. 95-97 which provides an astute summary of Westney's teaching philosophy. I found the following Q and A challenging to some very traditionalist teachings on using the metronome; "Is it a good idea to use a metronome?"Westney's replies, "Only for short periods, as a check of tempo consistency.If we use it too much we become passive slaves to it, and our inner rhythm stays dormant."Westney emphasizes that playing the piano is a "whole body, whole brain" experience.In terms of Westney's approach being a "feel good" philosophy, nothing could be further from the truth. When asked (p. 97), "Can your approach be simply stated as, "Just don't fret about wrong notes, after all nobody's perfect.?"Westney's response is clearly direct; "No.This isn't a feel good philosophy: it's a pragmatic problem-solving plan along the road to artistry.Control, accuracy, and refinement are still the goals."Westney takes a groundbreaking approach to teaching piano without killing the hope and aspirations of the student.That is to be herald and this work will be deeply respected by teachers willing to take on new and exciting challenges that take heed to an important ethos Westney holds for anyone practicing the piano."As you practice sense that you are taking care of yourself at every moment.Expect musical performing to be fun and feel good.Question any part of it that doesn't feel that way.Think of yourself as a healty athlete. Relax frequently and take stock." (p.227) I can't think of any performing philosophy that is more hope filled than that.

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Product Description:
In this groundbreaking book, prize-winning pianist and noted educator William Westney helps readers discover their own path to the natural, transcendent fulfillment of making music. Drawing on experience, psychological insight, and wisdom ancient and modern, Westney shows how to trust yourself and set your own musicality free. He offers healthy alternatives for lifelong learning and suggests significant change in the way music is taught. For example, playing a wrong note can be constructive, useful, even enlightening. The creator of the acclaimed Un-Master Class workshop also explores the special potential of group work, outlining the basics of his revelatory workshop that has transformed the music experience for participants the world over. Practicing, in Westney's view, is a lively, honest, adventurous, and spiritually rewarding enterprise, and it can (and should) meet with daily success, which empowers us to grow even more. Teachers, professionals, and students of any instrument will benefit from this unique guide, which brings artistic vitality, freedom, and confidence within everyone's reach.

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Music for Little Mozarts: Lesson Assignment Book [Paperback] Review

This "Lesson Assignment Book" is a great way to stay organized with your child's piano lessons. It can be used with Levels 1 -4 of the "Music for Little Mozarts" series.

There are 32 lesson "Assignment" pages that span two pages each (eight months of weekly lessons!). It tracks the lesson number, day, date and time (this is a great feature for parents who need to keep track of when to pay the teacher next!), and when the next lesson is. There is a homework section that uses the Lesson Book, Music Workbook, Discovery Book and Other (great for Recital Book). There is a "New" and "Review" column for each lesson book used. Next is a days of the week tracker for recording practice time in minutes. For teachers, there is space for evaulating that day's lesson and comments. Parents are also given comment space. At the end, there is work space for the child with a printed keyboard and music notation lines.

The end of book has space for "My Favorite Pieces" and "Music I Have Performed."

This is an inexpensive way to stay organized while your child learns piano. We have enjoyed it thoroughly!

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Product Description:
The Music for Little Mozarts Lesson Assignment Book is designed to allow the teacher to write the student's assignment, using a minimum of lesson time.Using a two-page format, the book can accommodate assignments for 32 lessons.Additional spaces are provided to record practice time, evaluate each lesson, facilitate written instructions both from the parents to the teacher and from the teacher to the parents as well as work spaces for students that include a keyboard and staff.Special evaluation forms are also included.

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Masterpieces with Flair!, Book 1 (Alfred Masterwork Editions) [Paperback] Review

A good compilation of pieces in different styles, great to use approximately after one year of learning.

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Product Description:
Energetic and lively pieces to appeal to students who like fast and sparkling music. The selections are from such masters as Bach, Beethoven, Haydn and Bartok.All pieces are in their original form.Early intermediate to intermediate.

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Prince - 3121 (Pvg) [Paperback] Review

I didnt shop carefully. I thought this was a Prince coffee table photo book like the last few I bought. Bought this, and 3121 for the wife for Christmas. Unfortunately She doesnt play an instrument, and I play guitar. Thankfully this wasnt the only gift I gave her because when we saw it was ONLY sheet music, I looked like Fred Flintstone giving Wilma a BOWLING BALL for a gift when she doesnt bowl and he does... all the time.

The publisher really SHOULD post up some pics of the inside contents so the buyer can understand what they are paying for.

A disappointment.

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Product Description:
All 12 songs from his critically-acclaimed 2006 album, including: 3121 * Lolita * Te Amo Corazon * Black Sweat * Incense and Candles * Love * Satisfied * Fury * The Word * Beautiful, Loved and Blessed * The Dance * Get on the Boat. Includes eight pages of color photos.

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Jerome Kern (Brimhall Composer Series) [Paperback] Review

My wife is in love with Jerome Kern.She says she can't believe she never tried these songs before since many are standards.She loves his style and his music.A very playable collection.

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Product Description:
John Brimhall has arranged 18 great songs written by one of America's leading composers, Jerome Kern. Kern's successes were mainly in writing music for the stage. Ol' Man River
* Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
* Why Was I Born
* Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
* Dearly Beloved are a few of his many Broadway hits. His popular compositions include: I've Told Ev'ry Little Star
* Long Ago (And Far Away)
* They Didn't Believe Me
* Pick Yourself Up
* All the Things You Are.

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Organ Works [Paperback] Review

This a reprint of Seiffert's 1901(?) ed. of both 'free' and hymntune-based works, with the free ones in a slightly more practical sequence than in the early publication. The scholarly apparatus is unfortunately omitted, and it both includes works now widely regarded as inauthentic, andexcludes works now widely regarded as authentic.Small print, but that has its advantages: a whole work on one page or a double-page spread (no page-turn).

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Product Description:
One of the great organ composers of the pre-Bach generation, Pachelbel left an enormous legacy of keyboard works. This rich treasury represents the full depth and range of his organ compositions. Included are 72 chorale settings for Lutheran ritual, 48 secular works, among them toccatas, fugues, preludes, ricercares and fantasias. All are reprinted from the authoritative Breitkopf & Härtel edition, edited by Max Seiffert.


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Mussorgsky -- Pictures at an Exhibition (Alfred Masterwork Edition) [Paperback] Review

Moussorgsky's most famous work, "Pictures at an Exhibition" (orch. by Maurice Ravel) is available is this very nice edition from the Boosey & Hawkes Masterworks Library. This work has been one of the most performed orchestral works by American symphony orchestras over the past few years and is a major piece in the repertoire. This is considered to be the definitive edition of this great piece and comes highly recommended.Mussorgsky: Pictures at an ExhibitionPictures at an Exhibition

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Product Description:
Based on the autograph manuscript and earliest editions, editor Nancy Bricard addresses the sources and discrepancies between the various publications of Moussorgsky's most important contribution to piano literaturePictures at an Exhibition. This well-researched edition describes the close relationship between the composer and Russian artist Victor Hartmann, whose paintings and sketches inspired the creation of this collection of musical works. Bricard offers fascinating insight into the composer's compositional process by including music passages in her footnotes that Moussorgsky had discarded from the autograph. Also discussed are matters of tempo, fingering, pedaling and interpretation, as well as background on the historical, cultural and social environment that influenced the composer's music.

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Minor Scale Picture Workbook [Paperback] Review

This book offers a unique way to learn scales.Anyone can learn scales!I'm privileged to know the author and I know her method works.This book along with the major scales workbook helps students of all levels to learn their scales on the keyboard using pictures that stay in your mind when you play.This is NOT your ordinary scale book.Glenna was my 5th and last piano teacher and by her method I went from knowing none of my scales to memorizing all of my scales along with their counterparts.Learning scales is a very important part of learning to play the piano and through her method I was able to play better because I knew the background for any piece I'd play.An example in the major scale workbook is the C major scale.Think of a color crayon, how it's straight across.Crayon begins with C, and since a crayon is straight you remember when you're playing that the C scale has no sharps or flats -it's played straight across the white keys starting on any C.I love using these books.I teach now, and these are the only books I recommend when learning scales.It's absolutely the best investment!

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Product Description:
The Minor Scale Picture Workbook offers a visual approach to learning minor scale patterns. Students follow a worksheet format designed to help them discover, then remember, scale notes and fingering. Great for late-elementary to early-intermediate students who are learning scales for the first time or those needing motivation to learn allthe scales, this book provides a fresh approach that is fun for students. This comprehensive book includes review and answer pages, plus a scale picture dictionary for quick reference.

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Evenings with Horowitz: A Personal Portrait (Book) [Paperback] Review

Other reviewers fault Dubal's self-absorption, and while I realize he is quite pleased with himself, I think the book is excellent - delightful to read, full of interesting stories about life with the monster maestro, and displaying the author's considerable musical erudition. There is much to be learned here. As for the ethical question -- when you have been a guest in a famous man's home for a period of years, do you then write a book exposing the flaws of your host? It seems to violate the norms of hospitality, but then, what norms of civil behavior have not been violated in our out of bounds culture? But if David Dubal had not written this book, we piano lovers would all be the poorer. I keep Evenings with Horowitz on a central bookshelf in my library, where I often refer to it -- not least for the valuable discography and insightful comments on Horowitz' recordings. I only wish Dubal had been a guest of Franz Liszt in the 19th century -- what a book that would have been!

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Product Description:
Evenings with Horowitz details a special friendship between two musicians. The book is a vivid account of their mutual passion for music and the piano. It reflects the struggles and triumphs of Vladimir Horowitz, a flaming genius who was also insecure and fearful of old age and the loss of his powers. In his conversations with the author, the Maestro reveals the agony and the ecstasy of a pianist's career and his love and awe for the great composers whose music he played."Dubal, broadcaster, concert pianist, and faculty member at Juilliard, draws upon his knowledgeable background to produce a fascinating portrait of the brilliant and electrifying pianist Vladimir Horowitz ... Discussions ensued on repertoire, stylistic interpretations, tastes of audiences, other famous pianists, favored composers, and even such non-musical topics as care of animals, modern-day presidents, and American youth. Dubal provides a rare and intimate glimpse of Horowitz and illustrates the precariousness of accommodating the temperament of a genius." - Library Journal

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Czerny Art of Finger Dexterity, Op. 740, Complete" (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback] Review

I haven't gone much further in the book, but, based on the few exercises I have gone throu, I feel a great improvement in the security of my fingers to play.

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Product Description:
An intermediate/advanced piano study by Karl Czerny.

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A Touch of Romance (WB Solo Library) [Paperback] Review

My all-time favorite piano piece to play is Le Salon de Musique by Eugenie Rocherolle, so when I saw a whole book of romantic music by her, I had to have it. These pieces are just want I had hoped they would be. Her ability to mix up chords to hold an eerily enchanting tone is just the signature feel I want in the romantic pieces I so enjoy playing. I took 7 years of actual classical piano lessons and have dappled in it for the last 4 or so years, so I would say for a mid to late intermediate player these pieces are just the right amount of challenging.I could sight-read through them slowly and decide the first time through that Souvenirs de Paris was going to be my favorite piece.Each song is only a few pages long, and they are quite different from one another (I think one of them has a Russian feel) making learning them much more enjoyable than a long strenuous journey toward playing perfection.

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Product Description:
A new edition of Rocherolle's Three Mazurkas and Three Waltzes, previously printed individually. Some have been re-engraved, and all updated for today's student. These pieces offer students fresh material for study and recital, and will challenge them more musically than technically. A must for every piano studio.

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Pop/Rock - Note-for-Note Keyboard Transcriptions Review

This book is exactly what the title says it is: accurate note-for-note transcriptions of pop/rock songs.It doesn't have the typical cheesy arrangements with the vocal line mixed into the piano part.It also doesn't have guitar songs that don't quite work on the piano.All the songs have prominent piano/keyboard parts, and every one I've tried is faithful to the original.Since the melody is typically not in the piano, you do need to be able to sing along or have a friend who can sing.But the result sounds much, much better than just about any other piano book I've bought.If you like at least a few of the songs in the book, you will not be disappointed!

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Product Description:
35 note-for-note transcriptions for those who want to play exactly what they hear on recordings. Songs include: Africa * Against All Odds * Axel F * Centerfold * Chariots of Fire * Cherish * Don't Let the Sun Go down on Me * Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me) * Faithfully * It's Too Late * Just the Way You Are * Let It Be * Mandy * Sailing * Sweet Dreams Are Made of This * Walking in Memphis.

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Masterwork Classics, Level 7 (Alfred Masterwork Edition) [Paperback] Review

This book is special in that all the repertoire is at the same level andthe choice of pieces is superior.The selection is varied and includes lyrical and technical repertoire and all will appeal to an advanced highschooler looking to break out into challenging repertoire as well as an advanced adult. Has the added value of a very competant CD.This series is definitely a good buy; look for the others.

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Product Description:
A progressive repertoire series designed to motivate students while allowing them to progress evenly and smoothly from the earliest classics toward intermediate literature.These pieces are from the standard classical literature, chosen to appeal both to teacher and student. Each volume comes with a corresponding CD.

Scott Price is the chair of the Piano Department at the University of South Carolina and holds a doctorate in piano performance from the University of Oklahoma. He has given master classes and recitals throughout the United States and Southeast Asia. His recordings are featured in Alfred's Premier Piano Course.

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Yamaha S90XS 88-Key Balanced Weighted Hammer Action Synthesizer Review

Great sounds. I wish it is smaller and have a wooden Graded Hammer action.The keyboard feel simply not as good and responsive as the Motif xs. I personally feel the keyboard action need improvement for a more correspondence piano feel.

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Product Description:
The Yamaha S90 XS Music Synthesizer is an exceptional keyboard for performing and creating. It's a truly realistic, naturally expressive synth with a true piano sound. Its highlights include convenient, real-time controls for adjusting the sound as you play, the ability to record audio to USB memory, extensive computer music features, ease of use, and compact size and portability. The Yamaha S90 XS is designed specifically for players who want high-quality piano sounds and expressions; casual players and hobby musicians will appreciate the synthesizer's exquisite sounds, advanced features, and superb playability just as much as professional artists.Sounds that satisfy The S Series features all the voices, performances, arpeggios, and virtual circuit modeling effects found on Yamaha's flagship Motif XS Music Production Synthesizer. The S90 XS adds a huge 142 megabytes dedicated exclusively to high-quality piano waveforms, for a total of 456 megabytes of instrument samples. Foremost among these piano sounds are the samples taken from Yamaha's world-renowned S6 concert grand piano. This synthesizer fully captures the richly textured sound of the wonderfully expressive S6, and provides a warm, concert grand piano sound.In the past, conventional keyboards had sounds designed primarily for the listener. The S90 XS, however, was designed to satisfy the player. Yamaha reasoned that when a performer hears and experiences the best possible sound, their performance would be the best possible too. The result is the S90 XS, a genuine musician's instrument that truly inspires the live performer as well as the music creator and arranger.Streamline your performance The S90 XS electronic keyboard lets you quickly and conveniently create your own custom performances with the amazingly fast and easy Performance Creator feature. Select a voice, then quickly program layers and splits-even assign a drum voice complete with arpeggios to create your perfect performance. Let's say tha

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Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74 (""Pathetique"") (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback] Review

Purchasing this book was a waste of money. Any decent bookseller should simply refuse to sell this book: printing quality is terrible, it looks like some original was scanned in low resolution. Apart from the too poor printing quality, the distribution of the bars and notes over the width of the pages is sometimes changing by the bar, completely illogical and unmusical and close to impossible to follow while listening to the music.
With only half a centimeter larger and wider, and just 1 mm in thickness, the slightly more expensive Eulenburg edition is a pleasure to work with, and is thus highly recommended to everyone who might even dare to consider buying this dreadful Dover edition.

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Product Description:
From the Complete Works, Russian Edition, reprinted as a full-size score.

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J. S. Bach: Inventions & Sinfonias (Book & CD) (Alfred CD Edition) [Plastic Comb] Review

Many of the editions of the inventions that are out there are from very old, dated engravings. This edition has clear, nice-sized notation, good fingering suggestions, and excellent printing quality. I'd highly recommend this edition to any pianist, beginner or advanced!

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Product Description:
This historically accurate edition contains a wealth of background information on ornamentation, dotted rhythms in the Baroque style, and the recommended tempos and guidelines for performing the works on the piano. Bach's writing is carefully separated from the editorial suggestions in light gray print. A wealth of footnotes compare the various sources consulted. Students, teachers and professional pianists will find this volume invaluable. The Alfred Masterwork Library CD Editions conveniently combine each exceptional volume with a professionally recorded CD that is sure to inspire artistic performances.

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The Technique & Art of Organ Playing [Paperback] Review

I am a College professor who has taught piano and pipe organ for over 40 years. I have used just about every organ method book out there. The Technique and Art of Organ playing is older than dirt. Written by Clarence Dickenson, it contains eveything the would be, serious organist needs to know. This is not a method book for those who want to play Theater organ music, jazz, or popular music. It is a method book for the "classical", "church" organist. He covers in detail the four basic methods of organ playing: Manual - Hand technique (Differentiated from the piano technique) Registration - The art of understanding which stops or voices to use in combination with what piece of literature. Pedal - The technqiue of how to play the pedals efficiently and skillfully. And last the Art of how to put it all together to make music.
It's all in one book, and it's a must for any serious organist. I've used other method books and they all come up short to Dickenson's work.

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Product Description:
THE TECHNIQUE AND ART OF ORGAN PLAYING is designed to provide the teacher with the technical material necessary to carry the student from the beginning of his studies through to the acquirement of complete command of his instrument. The aim has been to include in one volume a study of all the distinctive principles of organ technique, with enough illustrations and exercises through which they may be mastered, together with interesting compositions which will at once call for their application.

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Symphony No. 5 (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback] Review

Finally I bought Symphonies Nos. 5 and 6 in Full Score , though this edition is compact and reasonable.

The notes can be read. But with the age-glasses I cannot read the names of musical instruments and the characters of articulation and dynamics.

Anyway I cannot read the characters.

The signs of sharp and flat are also heavily to read.

Because they are printed dirty and collapsed on the rough paper like drawing paper.

The size of the book is the A5 edition.

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Product Description:
Piano duet players will be thrilled with this quality transcription for one piano, four hands of Mahler's Fifth Symphony.

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Organ-Stops and Their Artistic Registration [Paperback] Review

Detailed descriptions of every stop, rank and division of the organ. This book even explains how the pipes are made.

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Product Description:
This 1921 classic by a renowned organ builder provides organists and all those interested in the instrument with a guide to its numerous stops, among them bassoon, bass tuba, cymbal, double trumpet, oboe, piccolo, viola da gamba, and xylophone. The text supplies various names of each stop in different languages, traces their origins, and describes their construction, tonal characteristics, and value in artistic combination and registration. A fascinating book about the "Monarch of all Instruments" for students, teachers, and professional musicians. A "must-have" for the organist's library. Introduction by Rollin Smith. 5 plates of illustrations.


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Great Things He Has Done (Sacred Performer Collections) [Paperback] Review

I really enjoy Victor's works.They are very interesting, challenging, and cut against the stereotypical classification of traditional vs. contemporary worship.

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Product Description:
Great Things He Has Done contains arrangements in contrasting styles that can be used in a wide range of settings, including worship services and recital performances. Victor Labenske creatively exploits harmonic, melodic and rhythmic devices while sensitively communicating the hymn texts of each piece.The CD recording with the composer at the piano offers an opportunity to hear these pieces as Victor Labenske intended them.

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Skills In Scales / Book 1 [Paperback] Review

I bought this for my daughter as her piano instructor requested she we get her a scale book as a supplement to her regular lesson book.This points out the basics pretty well.

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Product Description:
Major scales and their relative minor scales, one octave. Triads on each tone of the major and minor scales, in broken and blocked form.

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Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46 (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback] Review

This duet suite consists of four pieces from Grieg's Peer Gynt incidental music.While four hands on a piano are no match for a full size symphonic ensemble, these pieces are very well arranged, in general, and capture most of the harmonic structure inherent in the symphonic version.

Unlike many duets, however, both players need to be rather advanced to be capable of playing these parts at the prescribed tempi and recommended dynamics; my partner is unfortunately unable to play either Primo or Secondo for 3 of the 4 pieces without significant editing.

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Product Description:
An intermediate/advanced duet by Edvard Grieg.

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The Graded Couperin (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback] Review

I am an intermediate piano student.This book is at the appropriate level for me.It shows fingering and contains 3 pages of instructions on how to play various ornament notations that are typical of Barouque music.If you want to learn how to play classical music, this is a book for you to get started.

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Product Description:
This collection presents pieces which are among the most beautiful of this great musician's works. This is also a graded Couperin, intended to make this an ideal edition for teaching. The text scrupulously follows the original, with editorial details indicated in brackets.

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Seventy-Nine Chorales for the Organ: Opus 28 (Belwin Edition) [Paperback] Review

This is a very useful method for organ players and musicians.Marcel Dupré,well known for his organ method published in French (A.Leduc ed) in 1927 meets here an application in the Seventy-Nine Chorales op 28.With progressive difficulties, it has the advantage to secure the student with explicit fingering and a recall of execution principles previously exposed by the author in his method of organ playing, as few other methods do on how to play Bach.Details of execution are in English, and French.

Church organists may find in this method a pleasant way for brilliant execution of serious organ music, and will get the performer to a new point of excellence facing the audience. Some of these Chorales inspired byJ.S. Bach are pure beauties.The only "bug" in this book is the inappropriate binding when open on organ or piano desk.Despite this small point, this study tool is a must.

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Product Description:
Marcel Dupre prepared these short works, not as Â'another versionÂ' of the famous chorales and chorale preludes of J. S. Bach, but rather as a means of making the beginning organist aware of the beautiful chorale melodies and to prepare him or her for the study of BachÂ's works. Included are registration suggestions, fingering, pedaling notation, and dynamics. This is an important book for the development of the organistÂ's technical and artistic skills, and at the same time for the presentation of beautiful organ chorales.

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Simply Christmas [Paperback] Review

These arrangements are particularly well done.The songs are simple enough for someone who has been taking lessons for 1-2 years (a second grade piano student), and they are fun and interesting to play.

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Product Description:
A delightful collection of carol favorites for the early intermediate player. These creatively styled piano arrangements are designed as solos and are easy to play. Perfect for seasonal recitals or that special family gathering.

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Six Barcaroles (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback] Review

This collection of sheet music only contains six of the thirteen Barcarolles of Gabriel Fauré. (Les Troisième Barcarolles).It is, nevertheless, well worth the price.

I first heard these compositions some thirty five years ago (1971) when Jean Phillipe Collard released his first recording. His first recording was in 1971 just after he won the Gabriel Fauré competition in France (at the incredible age of 21). I believe there is still no finer recording.

The recording is available on Amazon but only from independent sources.

Here are the six barcaroles in this collection of sheet music. The music is clear, readable and professionally reproduced.

No. 1 In A Minor, Op.26

No. 2 In G Major, Op.41

No. 3 In G Flat Major, Op.42

No. 4 In A Flat Major, Op.44

No. 5 In F Sharp Minor, Op.66

No. 6 In E Flat Major, Op.70

Fauré's compositions are not for beginners, but, despite their introspective complexity, even pianists of moderate achievements can play them.

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Product Description:
A collection of intermediate/advanced piano solos by Gabriel Faure.

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Something More for the Girls [Paperback] Review

It is always something great when you buy a Dan Coates arrangement of anything.They are easy to play and fun to sing.
You don't have to be a girl to enjoy this music.

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Product Description:
A fantastic collection of 21 songs that are favorites of today's pre-teen and teenage girls. They'll love the titles, which are straight from the top of the charts. Titles include: Graduation (Friends Forever) * I Hope You Dance * I Think IÆm in Love with You * Lucky * Oops!... I Did It Again * Shape of My Heart * Stronger * ThatÆs the Way It Is * This I Promise You * A Whole New World and more!

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Chanukah and Other Hebrew Holiday Songs [Paperback] Review

I am just re-learning piano, and I wanted a good book of Jewish songs that would allow me to impress friends and family with my new found skills.The problem was that the Jewish Fake Books I found were way above my head, and the Jewish children's books were too simple to sound "impressive".I wanted some chords, some challenging 2-hand work, but nothing I couldn't play reasonably with a bit of practice.This book fit the bill quite well.The arrangement of Hatikvah is quite nice---it may sound silly to a practiced pianist, but some of the two-hand work and black keys has taken some practice to get right.However, I have been able to play it again and again, and it is finally sounding quite professional.There are good arrangements of Chanukah, Dayeinu, Have a Little Draydl, Chag Purim, Oh Chanukah, Maoz Tzur and Hava Nagila.Best of all---it is by Alfred.Since I am learning piano with the Alfred All-in-One Adult course, the style and notation are familiar (incidentally, I am about 3/4 of the way through Volume 1 of the 3 volume course).

That being said,there are a ton of Yiddish songs that frankly, I have never heard.I would have rather had some more modern songs like Eli Eli, Erev Shel Shoshanim, or some wedding songs (none of these were included).

I give the book 4 stars---for $8.50, I feel like I got some nice arrangements, so I definitely got my money's worth.About half of the book I will likely never play, but that is likely the case with any piano book.This will encourage me to practice more, and hopefully I can "graduate" to a Fake Book with a more complete lineup of songs in the future.

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Product Description:
25 of the best-known Hebrew and Yiddish melodies arranged for easy piano complete with lyrics and guitar chords. Holiday songs: Chag Purim * Chanukah * Dayeinu * Draydl Song * Maoz Tsur * Oh Chanukah. Israeli songs: Artsa Alinu * Hatikvah * Hava Nagila * Heiveinu Shalom Alaychem. Liturgical melodies: Avinu Malkeinu * Kol Nidre * Mi Chamocha? * Shalom Alaychem * Sh'ma Yisraeil * Yisraeil V'Oraita. Yiddish melodies: Ahz Der Rebbe Elimelech * Biztu Mit Mir Broigez? * Frayloch * Lomir Zich Iberbetn * Oif'n Pripitshik * Ot Azoi Neit A Shnaider * Reb Dovidl * Rozhinkes Mit Mandlen * Tum-Balalaika

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The Ruth Laredo Becoming a Musician Book (Schott) [Paperback] Review

Hey there!I'm Sean "Puffy" Combs and I read this book and it totally works! Look at me!

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Product Description:
The Ruth Laredo Becoming a Musician Book

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The Organist's Picture Chords (Music Sales America) [Paperback] Review

I have received the book in excellent condition! I'm sure it will be of a great help in exploring my organ as soon as I will get started!

Regards
E. Malan (ELBAS)

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Product Description:
A guide to the simplest and most useful chords in every key. Easy-to-read photos and diagrams.

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Etudes (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback] Review

Nothing wrong with the content (Scriabins masterly etudes are all there), but the book falls apart the first time you crack it open, and notes are in Russian only. Buy the Dover or Belyayev editions instead.

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Product Description:
(Incl. Op. 2, No. 1
* Op. 8, Nos. 1-12
* Op. 49, No. 1
* Op. 56, No. 4
* Op. 65, Nos. 1 & 2)

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Christmas Treasures, Level 1 (Book, CD & Midi Disk) [Paperback] Review

Everyone loves this arrangers work.....fresh and creative...and fun for all

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Product Description:
Favorite Christmas carols and popular favorites arranged by GAIL LEW for the early-level pianist include: Jingle Bells * Jingle Bell Rock * Santa Claus Is Comin'* Frosty the Snowman * The Little Drummer Boy * Angels We Have Heard * Silent Night * The First Noel * Hark! The Herald Angels Sing * Go Tell It on the Mountain * We Wish You a Merry Christmas.
Eighth notes and dotted rhythms are introduced using stationary 5-finger patterns in the keys of C,G, & f. Imaginative duet parts for a teacher or more advanced student provide incredible harmonic and rhythmic variety. Dynamic background orchestrations created by CHRIS LOBDELL can also be used as vocal accompaniments for holiday sing-a-longs.

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Fantasy and Fugue, K. 394 and Fantasies, K. 396 and 397 (Urtext) (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback] Review

While this edition looks to be accurate, the type and music is tiny.There are six lines of music per page.I don't know about you, but I am always writing in fingering and other important notes.There is no space in this edition- I have another edition that is much easier to work with, so I don't know what I'll do with this one, but I won't be using it.Sorry!I usually think the Urtex editions are best!

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Product Description:
Fantasy and Fugue, K. 394 and Fantasies, K. 396 and 397 (Urtext) Book Brand: Alfred Publishing Model Number: 00-K03698

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The Genius of Duke Ellington [Paperback] Review

I had wanted a Duke Ellington piano solo book for a long time. And the unfortunate part about buying jazz books is that they aren't available in local stores. There's no way to look inside of the book online, so I basically have to guess which ones are good.

So I guess you see where I'm going - I am not completely happy with it. All of the songs are 1 or 2 pages. After the basic composition, there is no improvisation on the melody. Plus, a lot of the songs are labeled "Boogie-Woogie", which is not my favorite style.

The plus side is that I did learn a cool trick. Now that I know that I don't like really short songs, I can use what is available on Amazon - page count and song count. Doing the math, this book has songs that are an average of 1.7 pages. A different book that I have enjoyed has 5.25 pages per song. So before buying a book, I can check that out.

The other good thing is that the songs have grown on me. The arrangements are by Duke Ellington himself, and not someone arranging his orchestra songs for piano solo. So I like playing what the genius himself arranged. Out of the book, there are a few gems.

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Product Description:
Two dozen tunes in the Duke's own style. Includes: I'm Nobody's Baby
* I'll See You in My Dreams
* I Cried for You
* At Sundown
* You Are My Lucky Star.

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Waltzes, Vol 1 (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback] Review

The Kalmus editions are very fine and the fast service from the provider are great.

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Product Description:
Intermediate/advanced piano solos by Strauss.

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It's Easy To Play Tchaikovsky [Paperback] Review

This has 14 pieces of very easy to play Tchaikovsky. My favorite one is Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64 (Second Movement). All of the pieces are very interesting. The pages are white, making them easy to read. The book is not too big which makes opening the page you want and setting it up on the stand very easy.
Too bad I have not found enough Tchaikovsky easy plays like this one. It is difficult to proceed onto intermediate level books when you feel so comfortable with the easy plays.

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Product Description:
Easy-to-read, simplified arrangements of 14 of Tchaikovsky's most popular compositions. Includes Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy, 1812 Overture, Waltz From Swan Lake, and many more.

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The Seasons, Op. 37 (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback] Review

The major problem with this product is its printing quality: notes on certain pages are blurred, and it feels like a product of an old-fashioned typewriter. I've bought music scores from the same series before, and was pretty happy with them--that's why I chose this edition over others. But I have to say, unfortunately, the quality is not very consistent.

Also, FYI (this could be good or bad, based on how you feel about it), no finger suggestions provided.

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No Description provided.

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Twenty-five Melodious Studies, Op. 45 (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback] Review

Heller is a very capable composer.He harmonizes well and he comes up with original ideas.

However, this book can become somewhat tiresome from the monotony in rhythm.Some of the pieces are triplets from beginning to end and some of the pieces are sixteenth-note arpeggios from beginning to end.

If you decide to use this book, perhaps you should reserve it for students somewhat more advanced than the Burgmuller level.

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Product Description:
Twenty-five Melodious Studies, Op. 45 Book Brand: Alfred Publishing Model Number: 00-K03512

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Grandfather's Book, Op. 119 (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback] Review

Exactly what I ordered, some Gretcheninoff pieces I was not familiar with.Good teaching pieces!

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No Description provided.

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Intonations and Toccatas (Kalmus Edition) [Spiral-bound] Review

Sebastian Anton Scherer was an organist in Ulm as the War of Thirty Years came to an end. His collection of smaller and greater organ pieces is heavily influenced by the recent Italian organ style. The toccatas are written in a broad and solemn style close to out-written improvisation. The canzonas are quite different in style: to me, they are small treasures of melodical invention and intellectual playfullness. Scherer is a nice friendship for mass and for evensong - but a lot of his qualities are concealed in the execution and the registration, left to the discretion of the organist. Thanks to Calmus for the spiral binding of the score!

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No Description provided.

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Christmas Party (Book, CD and Midi Disk) [Paperback] Review

This is an excellent book for a beginner. I've only been playing for a few months and can sight play just about all of these songs. Unlike a lot of the other beginner songs books that sound fake and barley recognizable, I was surprised at the quality of sound. I would definitely recommend this book to those who just want some songs to play for the family during the holidays.(Oh,yeah and if you want to save a few bucks always buy used. You can get the same items for less than half the price of anew one, Also, if you don't like it than you haven't lost much. Just make sure you check the company's quality ratings first, anything 97% or higher.

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Product Description:
Easy-to-play piano arrangements can be played along with the background CD to make any pianist sound like a professional. The 26 titles include: Angels We Have Heard on High * Deck the Hall * Frosty the Snowman * Go Tell It on the Mountain * Hark! The Herald Angels Sing * Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas * I'll Be Home for Christmas * Jingle Bells * Jingle Bell Rock * Jolly Old Saint Nicholas * Joy to the World * The Little Drummer Boy * O Come, All Ye Faithful * O Little Town of Bethlehem * Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town * Silent Night * Sleigh Ride * We Wish You a Merry Christmas * Winter Wonderland and more.

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Suite Bergamasque, Complete (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback] Review

This sheet music is exactly what it should be.I bought it for a friend who is practicing Claire de Lune and asked him if he had the suite.He said he did not so I got this for him since the price was too good to resist rather than make copies of my music.I'm so pleased that Amazon offers such good deals.

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Product Description:
An advanced piano solo by Claude Debussy.

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Czerny Little Pianist (Op.823) (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback] Review

If you compare this book with op. 139, you will see some simple patterns.For that matter, if you compare the pieces in this book with each other, you will see some simple patterns.

Both books begin with simple melodies which belabor the key of C major.Both books overdose on square melodies written in the binary form.Both books overdo block chords and broken chords.There are a few pieces in which the bass has the melody, and it is always right after the repeat sign.Counterpoint, what's that?

Czerny's harmonic vocabulary rivals that of a country western group.Until the first secondary dominant occurs in #37, it is all I, IV, and V.After that, there are 2 augmented sixths and 1 diminished seventh.They all occur on measure 29 our of 32.

The book was a fun sightreading exercise, though.The second half has sixteenth-note scale passages.#55 has some challenging rhythms.A complete performance takes about an hour and a half.

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Product Description:
An intermediate/advanced piano solo by Karl Czerny.

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Adventures: 19 Original Solos for Early-Level Pianists (Solo Library: Elementary Solos) [Paperback] Review

I love this book.I started practicing piano three months ago beginning with my children's beginner books.So I don't know very much.The solos in this book get you using a lot of the keyboard so your hands are not just sitting in one place.And the songs sound much harder than they are.So they are good for impressing people and for impressing yourself.All the songs I have worked on so far are beautiful sounding.I will be buying more books by this author!

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Product Description:
The 19 Adventures in this collection sound harder than they actually are, utilize the pedal to help create big sounds, are full of rhythmic interest, and contain titles that capture the imagination (and consequently inspire good interpretation). Titles include: Arctic Air * Carnival! * Dancing Leaves * Galloping * The Giant Swings * Morning Bells * Setting Sail! and many more.

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Schaum Christmas Album (Schaum Method Supplement) [Paperback] Review

This book has some wonderful Christmas peices for those learning to play the piano or those who can already play and just want to play and listen for the pleasure of enjoying the treasured songs. Words are included for singing also.The book includes some easier pieces for beginners and also some more advanced. If using this for a piano student, it will be good for several years of learning and many years of enjoyment and review.We already have an older copy of this book, but it's about worn out with use, so I purchased this one with the new fun cover that just looks inviting and attractive!

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Product Description:
With newly-engraved music and fresh new illustrations, this long-time favorite Christmas book will be even more welcome. Arrangements are carefully planned to give the pianist the satisfaction of making good-sounding music. Lyrics are included, making the collection perfect for sing-along sessions.

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Symphony I in C Minor, Op. 13 (Sheet) (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback] Review

These Kalmus edition scores are excellent inexpensive scores, which contain revised (later) versions of Widor's symphonies. The size of the printed content is very good, the page layout in most of them is such that it's convenient to turn the pages without the need of an assistant, and the binding is so that they don't threaten to close at the rack. Highly recommended!

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No Description provided.

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Sonatinas, Op. 20 (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback] Review

I don't know what it is, but these sonatinas aren't as melodious as the well-known 6 sonatinas by Clementi.

If you are looking for protypical sonatinas, you might be disappointed.Each sontaina consists of only two movements, the second movement being a minuet or rondo.Moreover, the fourth sonatina is the only one with a second theme in a related key.The other first movements lean more toward the AABA form.

All the same, this work provides for a pleasant sightreading exercise.

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Product Description:
A collection of intermediate/advanced piano solos by Johann Dussek.

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The Days of Haydn, Mozart & Beethoven (Kalmus Edition) [Paperback] Review

I hesitated a bit before purchasing this collection because on the surface it seemed to duplicate an awful lot of repertoire from many of the easily available anthologies of Classical period works, but once I developed an unheathly obsession for obtaining an arrangement of the Haydn Serenade from Op.3 no.5 I took the plunge and boy, am I glad I did. Simply put, this is a winner. In addition to the Serenade (which apparently has now been identified as actually being by Roman Hofstetter) this book has a great deal to offer. I'm assuming it's a reprint of the 1935 edition edited by Albert Weir for which Amazon also has listings, but if so Mr. Weir's name didn't survive the migration from Kalmus to its current Warner incarnation. This is one of those old-friend type layouts with smudgy little pictures of the composers and sometimes vague titles that make you go elsewhere for opus numbers, but that's part of its charm, like its titling of potpourri medleys from operas as "mosaics".
There are a few commonly encountered chestnuts (can't have Beethoven without the first movement of the 'Moonlight',can we?) but not too many, and the inclusion of many less familiar pieces from the likes of Dussek, Clementi, Steibelt, and others is ample compensation. The C Major Mozart sonata is the familiar K545, and the Mozart Minuet from the "Divertimento in D" is from K334:it's one of those things you'll probably recognize without having known what it was beforehand, just like the Haydn Serenade. In addition to the chronological index shown in the Amazon "look inside" pages, there are Title and Composer indices which will probably be more useful for browsing the book; also, the chronological listing leaves out the "Beggar's Opera" potpourri by J.C. Pepusch. The C Major Mozart sonata is the familiar K545, and the Mozart Minuet from the "Divertimento in D" is from K334:it's another one of those things you'll probably recognize without having known what it was beforehand. The arrangement of the slow movement of Beethoven's Fifth symphony is also a great way to show all those snooty conductors that you know how this piece really should be played.
Throw in the fact that the book is printed on bright white paper with clear typefaces and you have a clear winner. If you're looking for a collection to just slap on the music rack and play through for a while I'm guessing you'll enjoy this one as much as I do.

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