Changing Moods: 9 Original Piano Solos (Composer Spotlight Series)--Intermediate Piano Solos.

by Joyce Grill. Warner Bros. (15800 N. W. 48th Ave., Miami, FL 33014), 2003. 23 pp., $5.95. Intermediate.

Joyce Grill's new opus, Changing Moods, is an evocative twenty-four page collection of nine intermediate-level pieces. Exceptionally well-crafted, these pieces will strongly appeal to teen-aged and adult students due to the "moody" titles and the harmonic style clearly tinged with New Age and pop harmonies.

Grill has skillfully woven subtle technical features into the fabric of many of these works. Although the pieces are even in terms of technical and musical demands, the collection runs the gamut of most of the easier keys for intermediate-level pianists.

Dreaming and Wondering feature easy, arpeggiated left-hand figures accompanying lyrical right-hand melodies. A lulling, repeating left-hand motive balances the slightly more demanding right-hand of In a Spanish Mood. The left and right hand toss the melody back and forth in the contrasting middle section. Serene is a simple chorale, thoughtfully written in the key of C. Immediately following on the facing page is More Serene, an exact repeat of Serene, only penned in E-flat major. This provides a wonderful transposition experience for students since the only changing musical facet is the key. At the bottom of the page, the composer asks the pianist if the key change alters the mood. Annoyed, somewhat petulantly, repeats the same right-hand figure many times.

Lonely, marked "with feeling," has an expressive left-hand melody. Rubato is called for in Wishing, perhaps the hallmark piece in the collection. Silly Rag is in simple, traditional ragtime style and form.

Most of the moods represented are introspective and highly personal. Students should experience quick success at achieving musical and expressive performances of these pieces, making for satisfying lesson experiences.

Over the past few years, many intermediate collections have been written in "contemporary" pop harmonic language. Grill's special penchant for creating playable and artistic miniatures sets this collection apart from many others. Reviewed by Victoria McArthur, Tallahassee, Florida.