Piano The Books

for those that yearn to understand presidential politicss impact on race & the shortcomings of the individuals that are so often placed on a pedestal--unjustly. To elaborate, former presidents are often looked upon with prestige and honor that frankly, they don't deserve--this book breaks these issues down in detail with the goal of providing a more complete context to these individuals.

Of course pianists should have this wonderful book, just don't assume it's complete. Fauré actually wrote a thirteenth Nocturne (in B minor) and a thirteenth Barcarolle (in C major), neither of which is included here. Both of these are characteristic late Fauré, but the Nocturne #13 is particularly not to be missed. I was just playing it over tonight and was amazed by the dark drama of the music. It's as Fauré's biographer Jessica Duchen said, that it seems to stare death in the face.

Both the Nocturne #13 and the suave, tranquil Barcarolle #13 are available individually from Masters Music Publications, and I would suggest that pianists supplement this book with both of those works to make a complete set of Fauré's nocturnes and barcarolles.

In the Notes herein Skempton says that the piano's richest resonance no longer comes to dominate his creative life; yet here we find some real timbral gems some "resonance nuggets" of invention, the dedication to the late David Tudor is overwhelming in its reference to loss, to a void created when anyone leaves us, "Memorial Prelude",is quite powerful in an overly restrained way;like when Benjamin committed suicide at the French Spanish Border;please tell us how to proceed;this is as most Skempton constructed linearly,"comfort zones" abound; a few chords yet each conveys a depth(s) of meaning(s) in its self-evident brevity; "Lyric Study" as well is one of my cherished favorites, in -3-4- Time,quite unassuming, beautiful as can be in a neo-liberal order; there are some etudes as well, "Octaves" the most thunderous Skempton gets;, also "Penumbra", "Reflections #s 3 and 4 are quite striking, it may recall instantly Morton Feldman,"Morty where are you" the hanging floating timbres, yet Skempton is always quite predictable, always heartfelt, never leaving the human condition to a void, as the Cage School often did with great vigour. Skempton allows himself to learn from himself,commenting on how the human condition was abandoned by the innovations of modernity; in some "studies" here "Reflection #2, is a good rhythmic propulsive essay, quite simple at some level, harbored in limited registers, in B Major, he seems to be enamored over sharped keys,; Reflection #5, as well is a crossing hands study, again quite entertaining, I can easily see this played at a Scratch Do;the subversive side is arrested in one of many dedications to pianist John Tilbury, here we have "Resister" with running rhythms almost bluesy, as it can get for Mr. Skempton,Tilbury with his Marx & Lenin situated on his piano lid; for his language it is quite radical, there are feiging references to traditional parlance in "Rameau Variation", one single variation be it known; again a cross handed etude,m "Familiar" from 1995, is quite Feldman esque, with 2 single seconds for each fout beat chord, quite linear something Feldman would never do, it is quite directional, without being too too obvious in discourse.If you live with Skempton's music it can grow quite thin after a time, like you understand what he wants, what he needs, what his aesthetic is suppose to do, and how he creates it, within the crevices of genres, and vocal tradition, no if you know where to look this music is wholy dependent on a frame a human one of the voice, of traditional beauty, like fresh spring water, or walking by the seaside, in Cornwall. . . Skempton's music must be left for a time, and returned to, it focuses the contemplative lifeworld wholeheartedly, you must then have some cognitive freedoms to exist in a purveyor of new music's product.

A great purchase and well worth the spent money. Reliable and on time delivery. Thank you.

This book is the first in a series of books based on the unique teaching philosophy of Betsy Alexander and told through the character of Nora The Piano Cat(tm).

Chapter titles: 1) Picking an Instrument. 2) The Importance of Developing Your Ear. 3) Music is a Sport. 4) How Much You Need to Practice. 5) The Importance of Patience. 6) How Playing a Musical Instrument Makes You Super Smart. 7) The Importance of Being Kind to Yourself. 8) Rewarding Yourself for Your Hard Work. 9) How to be Your Own Personal Best Musician. 10) Nora's Best-Kept Secret. 11) Nora's Philosophy.

Photography by Burnell Yow! unless otherwise noted.

This wonderfully silly children's book will delight adults as well. The universal humor and colorful illustrations are great fun. The eccentric Mrs. Medley sounds like the perfect beach companion to me!

I must admit that I'm prejudiced. I had the pleasure of hearing Mr Paperno in recital at the University of North Dakota while stationed in the USAF some 20 years ago. In that recital he introduced me to the music of Scriabin and I have never heard it played with greater intensity or more poetry. Therefore, I am happy to finally read his memoirs and, like many of his contemporaries, his view of the life of an artist in Soviet Russia is riveting. If I have a quibble about this book is that it isn't much longer. I sincerely hope Mr Paperno will favor us with a book discussing the music he plays so well, especially the misunderstood Scriabin. I can recommend this book to fellow pianists, historians, music lovers, and those who just enjoy a "good read". Too bad Amadeus didn't include a CD of his recordings with the book. Get it anyway!

Oh, this is a winner, starting with the witch on the cover! Notice that each individual letter on the cover is hand-drawn, like sign painters or calligraphers do and is just gorgeous, with lots of different fonts. A few pages of instruction in the front, then each page is a different Mother Goose song, with illustrations that have to be seen!! Nina Wright is especially good at birds... Also little notes here and there on reading music. Great deal, recommended.

This is one of my favorite easy piano solo books to practice Tchaikovsky with. I have absolutely no complaints about it. Just wish there were more like it with other composers.

Soultaker again. This book is phenominal. She is a great artist and singer. I would know because I am one of her students. This book has everything from songs to riffs to just plain old things that just got in there. If you're looking for a blues keyboard book this is a must. Like I said it has one of my song's in it entiled "Josh's Blues" which I made up from a whole bunch of riffs that I combined together. Buy this book!!!!!