Americana.(Book review)

Americana, by Phillip Keveren. Hal Leonard Corporation, (www.musicdispatch.com; 1(800) 637-2852), 2006. 48 pp. $10.95. Late Intermediate to Early Advanced.

Phillip Keveren's Americana collection describes itself as "15 picturesque arrangements" of several melodies from the United States' rich musical history. Favorite songs by Stephen Foster, folk tunes from Appalachia and the South, and hymns and gospel tunes are all included.

The set is written for late-intermediate and early-advanced pianists, but it doesn't feel like teaching material. The pieces do not seem to serve a didactic purpose but rather aim to provide pianists with solos that might be suitable for a church or recital performance. The pieces are all three or four pages long, the writing is pianistic and a wide variety of styles and textures are covered.

While playing through the collection, I was struck by the sheer quantity of textures and harmonies used. A good example is "When the Saints Go Marching In." This arrangement spends 32 measures in a bebop/ walking bass jazz style in E-flat major, moves directly to a 16-measure jazz waltz in C major, and ends with a 16-measure ...