Horizons.(Book Review)

by Andrey Komanetsky. The Willis Music Company (P.O. Box 548, Florence, KY 41022-0548), 2002. 24 pp., $5.95. Early intermediate.

A collection of fourteen character pieces by Andrey Komanetsky, Horizons is a welcome addition to the body of contemporary recital repertoire for the early intermediate piano student. Sustaining student interest in piano study at the intermediate level, while presenting substantive and realistic challenges that promote musical and technical growth, often is problematic. Komanetsky's anthology provides teacher and student with a wealth of charming and accessible pieces to rekindle flagging interest in piano study, while presenting musical and technical challenges rigorous enough to foster continued development.

Each piece is short and can be mastered within a relatively brief period. These pieces, then, would work well if assigned in conjunction with other more substantial works requiring weeks of diligent and painstaking practice. Technical challenges are presented in musical gestures that, in general, encompass ranges comfortable for and appropriate to the small- to medium-sized hand of the young pianist.

Excellent preparatory studies for the more advanced works of Bach, Bartok, Chopin, Schumann and Mendelssohn, the pieces are arranged in progressive ...