A Chinese Festival, Volume 1.

by An-Lun Huang and edited by Alton Chan. Warner Bros. Publications (15800 N. W. 48th Ave., Miami, FL 33014), 2002. 56pp., $7.95. Intermediate.

Beautiful sounds reflective of the Chinese people and their culture permeate this collection of intermediate piano solos by An-Lun Huang. The collection contains fourteen pieces ranging from descriptive character pieces (Streams of Yang River and Great Wall) to the three-movement Sonatina written in the classical style. It is a study in the folk songs and of Chinese music, as well as their adaptation to Western musical language.

Huang demands of the performer a wide variety of technical and musical skills. Pieces such as A Song and Mountain demand balance between alternating right- and left-hand melodies. The piece Wind is reminiscent of a programmatic etude, requiring finger fluency and agility to execute quick pentatonic scale passages in both hands. Huang also includes cross-rhythms, syncopated rhythms and an array of standard meters. Memorization of these pieces may be difficult for a student because Huang writes in various Chinese keys, such as Gong and Shang, along with the traditional church modes. The difficulty level is consistent throughout the set with the exception of the second movement from the Sonatina. It contains a recurring rhythm of sixteenth, dotted sixteenth and thirty-second notes that is difficult to discern.

The editorial markings by Alton Chan are helpful with excellent fingering, phrasing and voicing suggestions. The suggested fingerings are particularly useful for finding easy ways to execute passages written in nontraditional keys. Chan also provides pedaling suggestions throughout much of the collection. This requires the instructor to give considerable thought to his or her own interpretation before assigning it to a student.

Many works in this collection make fabulous recital or festival pieces. The third movement of the Sonatina is a real showstopper due to its fast staccato pace and unique Eastern sound, as is the quick-moving piece Wind. One of the most beautiful pieces is Lulu, whose Chinese title represents "equipment to fetch water at a well." This lyrical piece proves satisfying for both performer and audience alike.

The most attractive feature of this collection is its diversity. With pieces varying in tempo, meter and style, this collection makes it easy for a teacher to find suitable intermediate-level material for most any student. Reviewed by Amanda Montgomery, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.