The Second Book of Soprano Solos (Vocal Collection) [Paperback] Review

I bought this book with the set of accompaniment cds at a local music store. I used it mainly for my own pleasure, to primarily, "exercise" a classically trained voice that doesn't get much use.Lately I've been using it to practice for auditions for choirs, community operas, etc. Not playing the piano, and not having ready use of someone who does, the discs come quite in handy as it allows me to hear and practice with the actual accompaniment that will be played when I go for the audition.Note: this is accompaniment only.There is no melody line to these recordings, unless they just happen to be part of the original accompaniment. There are no vocal demonstrations either.You will still need to be able to learn the melody on your own. Of course, melody and words are included in the music book. Songs include those in English, German, French, and Italian.
This particular book contains the following:

1. Art is Calling for Me (The Prima Donna Song)--Herbert
2. Bescheidene Liebe--Wolf
3. Les Cloches--Debussy
4. Die Nacht--Strauss
5. Down in the Forest--Ronald
6. Fiocca La Neve--Cimara
7. Hark!The Echoing Air--Purcell
8. Hear My Prayer, O Lord--Dvorak
9. Love's Philosophy--Quilter
10. Mein Glaubiges Herze(My Heart Ever Faithful)--Bach
11. Un Moto Di Gioja--Mozart
12. My Heart is Like a Singing Bird--Parry
13. O Divine Redeemer--Gounod
14. Oh!Had I Jubals's Lyre--Handel
15. A Pastoral--Veracini
16. Shepherd!Thy Demeanour Vary--Brown/Wilson
17. Sleep, Gentle Cherub, Sleep Descend--Arne
18. Song of the Blackbird--Quilter
19. A Spring Morning--Carey
20. The Sun Shall Be No More Thy Light--Greene
21. The Sun Whose Rays--Sullivan
22. Take, O Take Those Lips Away--Beach
23. These Are They Which Came--Gaul
24. To The Birds (A Des Oiseaux)--Hue
25. Vergebliches Standchen--Brahms
26. Villanelle (I Saw The Swift Swallow Flying)--Dell'Acqua
27. Das Verlassene Magdlein--Wolf
28. Vielle Chanson--Bizet
29. La Zingara--Donizetti

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Product Description:
Step up to the next level with more student repertoire, continuing from The First Book of Solos and The First Book of Solos - Part II. The more than 30 songs in each book require a little more vocal range and musical sophistication, but are still decidedly student material.

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The Songs of Irving Berlin: Movie Songs [Paperback] Review

There are too many wonderful songs, each a treasure, to mention them all.It is enough to say that the best from Berlin's movie musicals are included here. Among the many are "Sisters" and the title song from White Christmas, "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails," "Cheek to Cheek," and "Steppin'Out."My friends and I have enjoyed this book so much I am ordering others in the Berlin series.A great collection of songs by one of America's greatest composers.

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30 songs from some of the most-loved movies ever. Songs include: Be Careful, It's My Heart * Easter Parade * Happy Holiday * Cheek to Cheek * Sisters * Top Hat, White Tie and Tails * White Christmas * and more.

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The Essential Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection (P/V/G Composer Collection) [Paperback] Review

My daughter loves everything Andrew Lloyd Webber and this is no exception.The music is exactly what you remember from the movies - in other words - it's not watered down.The piano parts are challenging and beautiful and all of the best songs are included.Would buy again in a heartbeat.

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Product Description:
This outstanding collection features 41 songs from his best loved productions: All I Ask of You ¥ Any Dream Will Do ¥ As If We Never Said Goodbye ¥ DonÕt Cry for Me Argentina ¥ I DonÕt Know How to Love Him ¥ Memory ¥ The Music of the Night ¥ The Phantom of the Opera ¥ Pie Jesu ¥ Starlight Sequence ¥ Superstar ¥ Think of Me ¥ Too Much in Love to Care ¥ Unexpected Song ¥ more.

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Grateful - The Songs of John Bucchino (P/V/G Composer Collection) [Paperback] Review

I'm sorry to say, I ordered this songbook before visiting the composer's Website, expressly to get my hands on the sheet music for "Grateful" in time for a Thanksgiving church service.I haven't checked the other songs, but it is inaccurate to say that the piano accompaniment as written in this book is exactly as it is on the CD.Fortunately, the composer offers transposed versions, including the key on the CD, for $5 on his Website.That's one thing to be Grateful for.I give the book 5 stars since it is still great music, whatever the key, but best to take a drive by your local music store and look at the book first before buying, or just buy the songs you want in the keys you want from Mr. Bucchino's Website.

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Product Description:
Rex Reed comments, "If Tennessee Williams was alive and writing tunes he'd be John Bucchino," and the Los Angeles Times says Bucchino provides "gentle, humorous, sad and sardonic insights into modern life." One of the best kept secrets of the New York cabaret scene, acclaimed songwriter John Bucchino makes his debut in a "literate collection of songs for grown-ups." This folio matches his 16-song CD featuring versions of his songs sung by acclaimed artists such as Michael Feinstein, Art Garfunkel, Judy Collins, Liza Minnelli, Patti LuPone, Andrea Marcovicci, Amanda McBroom and others. Includes a note from Bucchino on the process of making this songbook come to life.

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Audra McDonald - Way Back to Paradise (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook) [Paperback] Review

I have known of Audra's music since she was 12.She not only has an outstanding voice, but she has the ability to capture and hold the audience. If you like the music of Broadway, you'll love this CD and all the others.

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Product Description:
This great songbook is our matching folio to the highly acclaimed debut album by this new diva of Broadway musical theatre. It includes 14 songs written by some of today's most popular composers, such as Ricky Ian Gordon, Michael John La Chiusa, Jason Robert Brown, Adam Guettel and Jenny Giering. Titles include: The Allure of Silence * Come to Jesus * Daybreak in Alabama * I Follow * A Lullaby * Song for a Dark Girl * Stars and the Moon * Tom * You Don't Know This Man * and more.

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Perfect Wrong Note - Learning to Trust Your Musical Self (Softcover) (Amadeus) [Paperback] Review

I am a professional musician, a retired piano teacher of 25 years. In October of 2004, I produced my first cd of pre-Baroque pieces into an album called, "Carry the Light."Recently, I found out about "The Perfect Wrong Note" by William Westney from a friend. The book is stunning, progressive and suffice it to say, it will rub some traditionalist the wrong way.Westney totally challenges traditional teaching methods and rightly so. There is a revealing "Question and Answer" section in the book on pp. 95-97 which provides an astute summary of Westney's teaching philosophy. I found the following Q and A challenging to some very traditionalist teachings on using the metronome; "Is it a good idea to use a metronome?"Westney's replies, "Only for short periods, as a check of tempo consistency.If we use it too much we become passive slaves to it, and our inner rhythm stays dormant."Westney emphasizes that playing the piano is a "whole body, whole brain" experience.In terms of Westney's approach being a "feel good" philosophy, nothing could be further from the truth. When asked (p. 97), "Can your approach be simply stated as, "Just don't fret about wrong notes, after all nobody's perfect.?"Westney's response is clearly direct; "No.This isn't a feel good philosophy: it's a pragmatic problem-solving plan along the road to artistry.Control, accuracy, and refinement are still the goals."Westney takes a groundbreaking approach to teaching piano without killing the hope and aspirations of the student.That is to be herald and this work will be deeply respected by teachers willing to take on new and exciting challenges that take heed to an important ethos Westney holds for anyone practicing the piano."As you practice sense that you are taking care of yourself at every moment.Expect musical performing to be fun and feel good.Question any part of it that doesn't feel that way.Think of yourself as a healty athlete. Relax frequently and take stock." (p.227) I can't think of any performing philosophy that is more hope filled than that.

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Product Description:
In this groundbreaking book, prize-winning pianist and noted educator William Westney helps readers discover their own path to the natural, transcendent fulfillment of making music. Drawing on experience, psychological insight, and wisdom ancient and modern, Westney shows how to trust yourself and set your own musicality free. He offers healthy alternatives for lifelong learning and suggests significant change in the way music is taught. For example, playing a wrong note can be constructive, useful, even enlightening. The creator of the acclaimed Un-Master Class workshop also explores the special potential of group work, outlining the basics of his revelatory workshop that has transformed the music experience for participants the world over. Practicing, in Westney's view, is a lively, honest, adventurous, and spiritually rewarding enterprise, and it can (and should) meet with daily success, which empowers us to grow even more. Teachers, professionals, and students of any instrument will benefit from this unique guide, which brings artistic vitality, freedom, and confidence within everyone's reach.

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The Great American Songbook - The Composers: Music and Lyrics for Over 100 Standards from the Golden Age of American Song (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Songbook) [Paperback] Review

A priceless collection of music that would cost a mint to buy separately.If you love music from the this era, this is a MUST HAVE!

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Product Description:
From Berlin to Gershwin to Carmichael to Cahn, this folio features a comprehensive collection of standards from the greatest American composers, along with photos and bios of these masters of song. Includes beloved standards such as: Ain't Misbehavin' * All the Way * Blue Skies * Cheek to Cheek * Come Fly with Me * Don't Get Around Much Anymore * A Fine Romance * Georgia on My Mind * Honeysuckle Rose * I've Got You Under My Skin * It Could Happen to You * Mona Lisa * Mood Indigo * Moon River * My Funny Valentine * Satin Doll * Stella by Starlight * Take the "A" Train * Time After Time * You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To * and dozens more.

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Parade: Piano/Vocal Selections [Paperback] Review

Parade is one of the most auspicious debuts by a theatre composer in recent memory.Jason Robert Brown, then in his mid-20s, joined legendary 20-time Tony-winning producer-director Harold Prince and Tony-, Pulitzer- and Oscar-winning playwright Alfred Uhry for a musical about a Jewish man living in Atlanta in 1915 who was wrongly convicted of the murder of a young girl.The result was a critical success and one of the finest theatre scores I've ever heard.I anxiously awaited the release of this score so that I could play the songs and sing the moving melodies at home.The only problem is that Brown is such a talented "rock pianist" (think Jerry Lee Lewis meets Sondheim)that his piano parts are almost unplayable by amateurs such as myself.My advice: buy this book, and get someone very talented to play it for you.

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Product Description:
We're proud to present the vocal selections for Jason Robert Brown's award-winning musical (1999 Tony for Best Original Score, Drama Desk and New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Best New Musical), which is based on the actual case of Leo Frank, a Jewish man falsely accused of killing a 13-year-old girl in Atlanta in 1913. This edition features a detailed plot synopsis, a note from the composer, a biography of Brown, and 12 piano/vocal selections edited by the composer: Big News * Do It Alone * Come Up to My Office * It's Hard to Speak My Heart * My Child Will Forgive Me * Pretty Music * That's What He Said * What Am I Waiting For? * You Don't Know This Man * more.

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