Instruction: To compose without the least knowledge of Music so much German Waltzer of Schleifer as one pleases, by throwing a certain Number with two Dice.

by W. A. Mozart and Edited by Fritz Spiegl. Emerson Edition/Theodore Presser Company (588 N. Gulph Rd., King of Prussia, PA 19406), 2000. 6 pp. piano, $14.95.

This little musical curiosity, supposedly by W. A. Mozart, was thought to be a spurious concoction of a music publisher until recently, when another similar work in Mozart's hand appeared in a European library. In essence, the composer presents 176 measures that are chosen and pieced together by consulting a chart, which gives the order of the measures based on numbers from the throw of two dice. This is an interesting musical joke, for often the combination of measures makes pretty good sense when played in succession.

If, indeed, this is by Mozart, it shows another aspect of his well-known wit and good humor. Historically, it is a good, early example of aleatory music. The piece is printed in facsimile with instructions in four languages. The editor, Fritz Spiegl, has provided a full page of history of the composition and details about its performance.

This piece might be useful to teachers in several ways. It would be a fine challenge to a young student who likes unusual literature. Any Mozart fan will find it charming and fun to figure out. It would make an interesting little recital piece involving audience participation with throwing the dice. The piece also could be an interesting way to approach aleatory music for the first time with students leading naturally to more modern approaches to the style. I gave this piece to a small group of students in a piano literature class as a "wake-up" activity for an early morning class. They were intrigued and learned something new about Mozart and aleatory music. I highly recommend this musical curiosity for historical interest and the possibilities it presents for teaching purposes. Reveiwed by Richard C. Shadinger, Nashville, Tennessee.