Clementi: Six Sonatinas, opus 36 (Book & CD) (Alfred CD Edition) [Paperback] Review

Nice intermediate level sonatinas in easy keys.Disappointed that no metronome markings came with the tempi.

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Product Description:
This edition of the "Six Sonatinas, Op. 36" is based on the first printing, published by Clementi himself. In addition to Clementi's own articulations, fingerings and ornaments presented in dark print, additional performance suggestions by Dr. Palmer appear in light gray print. These guidelines were drawn from Clementi's companion work, "Introduction to the Art of Playing on the Pianoforte", first published in 1801. 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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Tchaikovsky -- Album for the Young, Op. 39 (Alfred Masterwork Editions) [Paperback] Review

A few of the tests of a good composer are:

--to break free of the tyranny of square phrases.#12 is based on a 6-measure phrase.The phrases in #24 are uneven.#7 is in three 16-measure melodic units.

--to compose in a variety of styles.The album includes an accordion imitation, a couple of church hymn imitations, a few dance numbers, a couple of marches, and a variety of folk song styles.#4 is probably a spoof on Schumann.

--to devise original harmonic textures.This he exemplifies in several of the pieces, notably #6.#9 is in 3/8, with left-hand chords on the first and second beats and rests on the third beats.#16 and #23 make use of a tonic pedal.

--to write in a contrapuntal texture.#11 consists of a statement in chordal harmony, followed by a contrapuntal variation.

--to write in a variety of forms.Most of the pieces are in binary or ternary form, but #13 is a set of variations.#3 and #8 each have three subjects which are not arranged according to any conventional plan.

--to combine short motifs.This he does quite well in #2.

--to write in chromatic harmony.Music theory buffs might enjoy hunting for the German sixths (#2, 7, 19, 20), French sixths (#10, 21, 22), Italian sixths (#10), half-diminished sevenths (#16, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24)
and Phrygian cadences (#1, 6).The diminished sevenths are too numerous to list.

When Tschaikovsky abstains from chromatic harmony, it is to convey a programmic effect.In order to imitate an accordion in #12, there are no accidentals.In order to create a folk song effect, only the basic chords are used in #15, #17, and #18.

Tschaikovsky may be over-rated by the concert-going public, but he is certainly under-rated in circles of musical snobbery.

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Product Description:
A wonderful collection of miniature pieces reminiscent of childhood, similar to Schumann's Album For The Young. Each selection is delightful and entertaining for students and audiences of all ages.

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