Miniatures, Book 2.

Miniatures, Book 2, by Edwin McLean. The FJH Music Company Inc. (Westport Business Park, 2525 Davie Rd., Ste. 360, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33317), 2006. 22 pp. $5.50. Late elementary to early intermediate.

Edwin McLean's Miniatures, Book 2, is a collection of late-elementary/ early-intermediate piano solos featuring 13 short pieces in various styles and moods. The collection provides students the opportunity to experience sophisticated musical concepts in the early stages of piano study. Each piece focuses on a single image or mood and has a descriptive title such as "Peaceful Valley," "The Gladiator" and "Snowfall Over Mt. Fiji."

A number of pieces in the collection capture romantic style without exceeding technical capabilities of students in the late-beginner/early-intermediate stage. "The Cello Speaks" features a long melody in the left hand accompanied by thirds and seconds in the right hand. Several pieces, including "The Cello Speaks," require frequent pedal changes. "Valse Triste," written in G Minor, incorporates several tempo variances (poco ritardando-a tempo), making this piece one of the more difficult in the collection but perfect for introducing or reinforcing musical ideas related to timing and pacing.

"Air in the Baroque Style" is a contrapuntal gem. Add this to your list of--hard to find--pieces that prepare your late beginners for their first Bach piece. "Hymn," written in the four-part choral style, explores voicing within a homophonic texture and also requires extensive pedaling.

On the opposite end of the stylistic spectrum, "Presto in 5/8" gives students the opportunity to display fast, nimble fingers and rhythmic precision--the frequent meter changes (5/8, 3/4, 6/8) contribute to the excitement of this piece in contemporary style. This and so many of the pieces in Miniatures are excellent recital choices. Perhaps more importantly, McLean has created motivational learning experiences in idioms difficult to capture musically without stepping out of the bounds of elementary technical capabilities. Catherine Lysinger, Dallas, Texas.