Microlatin: 20 New Pieces Based on Latin Rhythms for the Beginner Pianist.

Microlatin: 20 New Pieces Based on Latin Rhythms for the Beginner Pianist. * Microlatin: 20 New Pieces Based on Latin Rhythms for the BeginnerPianist, by Christopher Norton. Boosey and Hawkes Music PublishersLtd/distributed by Hal Leonard Corporation, 2008. www.musicdispatch.com;(800) 637-2852; 83 pp. $22.95. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Microlatin is a collection of 20 original piano pieces forbeginners written by Christopher Norton. The edition is very good sinceall the articulation, agogic and dynamic markings are very clear. Itwould be very illustrating for teachers if the book included at leastsome biographical notes about the composer and a statement of his goalsfor the students when performing this collection. The CD included contains two versions of each piece, one with theorchestral accompaniment only and the other one with the piano playingby the composer. The balance between the piano playing and theaccompaniment is not good, since the piano is heard very softlythroughout, whereas the accompaniment sounds "annoying." Even though the book cover states the pieces are based on Latinrhythms, there is neither a description in the entire book about thecharacteristics, nor the name of such rhythms. In addition, the titlesof the pieces only suggest scenes on a beach anywhere in the world,rather than typical Latin American scenes or musical features. The keys employed are very easy to read: no more than three flatsand two sharps. However, within those keys the composers uses plenty of7th chords, which give the pieces a "contemporary" flavor. Inaddition, the pianist moves very little around the keyboard making theperformance comfortable for beginners. Furthermore, the music is mostlywritten in the middle register of the piano. The pieces progress along the book from easy to those morechallenging in terms of rhythmic complexity: each piece progressivelyincludes more syncopation/rests and position changes; however, ingeneral each piece develops no more than three rhythmic patternsthroughout and the phrasing is very regular. These pieces are useful forstudent recitals or informal public performances.--Reviewed by EldaNelly Trevino, NCTM, Monterrey, N.L. Mexico * The items marked with this symbol can be ordered via the MTNAwebsite through our affiliation with Amazon.com. Go to www.mma.org andchoose Member Services from the Membership option in the main menu barfor more information.