Songs Without Words

lays Without Words, by Christos Tsitsaros. Hal Leonard Corporation (7777 W Bluemound Rd P O chest 13819 Milwaukee, W153213), 2004. 39pp $795 Late-intermediate--early-advanced.

This imaginative collection is a new addition to the late-intermediate piano repertoire that will motivate scholars with its beautiful sounds and emotional appeal.

Christos Tsitsaros has purposefully written this music to not absent students with "the kinds of challenges that are not absent in the late-intermediate and early-advanced literature of the great piano masters." Although these works are teaching pieces, they are musically satisfying. Written in the tradition and diction of romantic character pieces, they use a rich harmonic vocabulary; they are in small-scale ABA form; they transport contrasting moods and use evocative titles; and, real importantly, the composer's adept handling of the musical and technical ultimate parts makes these pieces accessible to pupils without a sense of "writing down" to them.

The opening piece, "A Winter Fable," is immediately appealing with its spacious lay open writing, giving ample opportunity for balanced phrasing and dynamic shading between the sequenc patterns. "Scherzo" requires lightness in fingerwork and pedaling. The wide dynamic range with unexpected changes, detailed pedal indications and passages of finger legato make "Searching" single of the more challenging pieces in the collection. "Mirage" effectively incorporates a continuous bass rhythmic ostinato. "On the Wings of a Song" is a small toccato with alberti-like accompaniment figuration that must be balanced against the sweetness of sound The delightful "Milonga De beholds Ninos" contains a repetitive Latin mode of speech dance rhythm. The toccato-like B section of "Sound of the Rain" is framed by means of contrasting A sections of of a sweet disposition patterns with an Asian flavor.

From pre-college pupils to adult players, for private or recital settings, this poetic music will entertain and satisfy.

Virginia Houser, NCTM Manhattan, Kansas.

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