Three Mystery Pieces for Flute and Piano.

Three Mystery Pieces for Flute and Piano, by Gary Schocker. Theodore Presser Company (588 N. Gulph Rd., King of Prussia, PA 19406), 2003. 25 pp. $19.95. Advanced intermediate to advanced.

This piece, for flute and piano, was composed by Gary Schocker, who is a flutist, composer and pianist. He is a multiple award-winning composer who has written numerous compositions for flute and other orchestra instruments. He also has composed several musicals for adults and children, as well as many songs.

This work consists of three movements: I. Waiting for Nightfall; II. Moonlit; III. Romance 4018.

Each movement is dedicated to a flutist who has worked with Schocker. The composer also notes, "The flute is vocal throughout, it's long lyrical lines equally partnered in the romantic sweep of the piano. Each movement is progressively more syncopated, so that the last swings almost entirely on the off-beats. My title alludes to the unusual endings of all three pieces; they leave the listener suspended in midair (I hope)."

The range of the piece is from b3 to b6. There are key and time signature changes within movements. Students should be familiar with rhythms that inch*de dotted-eighth followed by two thirty-second notes and several syncopated rhythmic patterns. Successful performance of this work requires a moderate to advanced sense of lyrical line, fluid mastery of third octave fingerings and a working knowledge of accidentals, including double sharps (x). Proper breath ...