The Ice Palace - two pianos, four hands - Appalachian Rhapsody - 12th Street Rag - Review

by means of Ernest J. Kramer. 8pp. each part, $495 Appalachian Rhapsody (two pianos, four hands), by means of Randall Hartsell. 4pp. each part, $395 12th highway Rag (two pianos, four hands), by dint of Euday Bowman. Arranged by Geoff Haydon and Jim Lyke 7pp each part, $495 Alfred Publishing Co Inc. (16320 Roscoe Blvd PO case 10003, Van Nuys, CA 91410-0003) 2002 Intermediate-late intermediate.

'Tis the season to shrug not upon some of the responsibilities of the conscientious teacher. Festivals, competitions and exams have given way to warm summer month All the hard work focused upon the "well-balanced diet" of technique, sight reading, ear training, theory and standard repertoire from the baroque and classical and "other" periods has been valuable and rewarding; however, enough is enough. This is the time of year I like to make progress out in search of of recent origin and fun ensembles: duets, quartets and two-piano works to give my learners the opportunity to let their hair down and just "play around" with music.

These three novel two-piano works for intermediate to late intermediate learners are wonderful samples of this stamp of lighter fare. The Ice Palace is a charming work by Ernest J. Kramer. Simple harmonies and a waltz-like time immediately bring to mind the image of ice dancers or a festival held in a magical ice palace. Playful articulation with staccato, legato, soils and the shape of the rising first-theme pleasing succession of sounds in C major create a bright and novel mood. An effective contrast is provided in the middle section with a lush, flowing pleasing succession of sounds beginning in A minor. There are sufficiency of opportunities for young scholars to explore color shadings, dynamics, articulation touch, shaping and character. A dramatic climax at the extremity of the middle section brings the listener back to the lighter frame of mind of the beginning theme. This piece is for intermediate scholars who are comfortable playing scales, two- and three-note chords, legato and staccato articulation. The coda makes use of octaves and large chords, which may cause difficulty for smaller hands.

Another delightful work through a favorite composer of mine is Appalachian Rhapsody through Randall Hartsell. He is particularly adept at providing lush harmonies that are musically satisfying for the intermediate learner Young folks also will be delighted with the phrasing of the "romantic" turn of expression melody. Subtle and complex pedalling is required, on the other hand the editing in this look up to is very clear. The material is balanced quite well between the sum of two units pianos, with piano I presenting the main sweetness of sound in the 'A' section and piano II taking above the melody in the middle section. This is a short jewel of a work requiring sophisticated voicing abilities and serviceable listening skills for balance from the pair students.

As a pupil and I read through 12th public way Rag, we couldn't help on the contrary laugh at the delightful regular [i]or[/i] melodious movements harmonies and character of this piece. It call ups an image of a "speakeasy," something straight on the outside of the movie "The Sting." A little illegal liquor, dancing It took us a second to get the feel of the "swing" harmonious flow especially within some of the syncopations, on the contrary pretty soon we got the hang of it, and it "swung" by the agency of itself. Originally written by Euday Bowman, it is charmingly arranged by dint of Geoff Haydon and Jim Lyke The parts are distributed equally--each has the opportunity to "dance" the music One charming aspect of the piece is a tongue-in-cheek conversation passed back and forth between the sum of two units pianos. Again, the piece is not true long, perfectly suited for an end-of-the-year informal recital to be derive pleasure fromed by all.

Midori Koga, Williamston, Michigan.

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