Miniatures, Volumes 1 and 2.

by Leopold Godowsky. Warner Bros. Publications (15800 N. W. 48th Ave., Miami, FL 33014), 2001. 45pp. each, $12.95 each.

Teachers seeking duet music from the classical repertoire to use with their elementary-level students will welcome this collection of duets by Leopold Godowsky. Included are two volumes of Miniatures written for two people at one piano. Three four-piece suites are found in the first volume, and the second volume contains two sets tided Ancient Dances and Modern Dances, comprised of seven pieces. This collection enables elementary-level students to play twentieth-century music as part of a team, and many teachers extol the benefits of duet-playing in the early stages of piano lessons.

The two volumes are carefully edited; the markings in the score, detailed and thorough, were all given by the composer. The secondo part contains pedal markings that work well when the two parts are played simultaneously. The use of large print and plenty of white space makes the score approachable and easy to read. Students and teachers will appreciate the careful planning of page turns, usually at the end of a section or piece.

A CD is included in each volume, featuring two versions of each duet: one played by both participants and one by only the secondo. Performances on the CD provide a stylistically appropriate model for an interpretation of Godowsky's style. Perhaps most advantageously, the CD enables students to practice their part with the secondo part on the CD.

The primo part may be played by an elementary student at the beginning stages of piano study. It consists entirely of a single melodic line that stays within a five-finger position and is played by both hands in parallel motion. Before each piece, a small diagram of a staff designates the hand position with finger numbers. This texture allows students to learn pieces quickly by relying on familiar patterns, but could lead to monotony when practicing the primo part alone. The primo part always contains melodic material, while the secondo part contains mainly accompanimental passagework.

More advanced musicianship is required in the secondo part, such as voicing, variety of articulation and balance between the hands. It also contains some double-note passagework, a thicker texture, more complicated rhythms and more movement around the keyboard. The levels of the secondo parts range from intermediate ...