Piano Album

Piano Solo

By Federico Mompou

For those of us who took piano lessons and loved it but did not study music formally ther are many hidden gems to be found. This book is full pieces that would fit in to background music at a cocktail party or as interesting interludes at a formal church service...

. Helps to listen to recordings. Also try Poulenc Noctunes, Piazzola tangos, Ginestera waltzes, Brubeck Nocturnes, "Gershwin at the Keyboard" (His own improvisational on 18 classic tunes). Before you attempt this one listen to Thiollier recording of same then embarq on life long attempt to play. Ranks in with Chopin Etudes and Bach Goldberg Variations for beautiful melodies and harmonies and difficulty.

This volume is a fantastic bargain, worth it just for the Variations on a Theme of Chopin (Prelude No7) Try the lovely Evocation first - you can then put together a small selection of the 12 variations to enlarge a performance of Prelude 7. And for those of a more minimalist...

appreciation, there are the complete Musica Calada, plus much more. However there is no fingering, and it can take some time to work it out satisfactorily. Also curiously difficult to memorise. So, for the dedicated pianist (and there is a lot accessible for the intermediate player here) looking for less travelled musical paths. There is bargain 4 CD set of Mompou playing his entire oeuvre, in a style that today seems a liitle eccentric at times. Salabert also publish a similar Piano Album of pieces by the French contemporary of Mompou, Henri Sauget - generally bright, quirky short pieces, but less subtle and magical than Mompou.

This isnt easy music to learn, but very well worth persevering with. And the rewards when you get there are very satisfying !!!

This music belongs in everyone's musical library. It pulls at your heart.

Get to know this composer, if you don't already. He is bypassed too often. Spicy, diverting, sometimes jazzy. Sophisticated, sometimes dry, always entertaining.