Three Gymnopedies. . - Woodwinds - book review

Three Gymnopedies, by dint of Eric Satie. Dr. Downing Music/Theodore Presser Co (588 N Gulph Rd King of Prussia, PA 19406) 2000 3 pp flute 7 pp piano; $550

Eric Satie's Three Gymnopedies is a well-known place of short, lyrical works. Sandra Downing and Peter J Moore have published a novel arrangement of these pieces for flute and piano available in the United States from Theodore Presser Their approach aims to stay authentic to the composer's intent. The flute carries the melodic lines quite through with the piano providing the simple accompaniment. There are no elaborations upon the original solo piano version other than an optional 8va for the flute in the final phrase of the third Gymnopedie, which is doubled by the agency of the piano an octave lower (the single melodic line given to the piano in this arrangement).

This is an inexpensive edition, on the other hand buyers will find a scarcely any problems. Dynamics are marked for the flute on the contrary do not appear under the piano score. The third beat of measure 29 in the flute part has an A when the correct note is B and the depressed E in measure 31 of the piano part should be an F-sharp. In several places the pianist will ne to divide the chord given for the right hand, and there are a certain number of awkwardly placed quarter rests in the left-hand line of the piano score. These could easily have been more clearly notated. Aside from these difficulties, the score is easy to read and includes measure numbers at the head of each system

These works are well worth having. It's unfortunate that this edition didn't receive a better proofreading. Still, the arrangement itself is clean, and the price is nice. Reviewed by means of Roger B. Martin, Cookeville, Tennessee

COPYRIGHT 2002 Music Teachers National Association, Inc.

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