(Easy Piano Songbook). A great collection of 50 must-know classics for all pianists; including: Arabesque; Op. 100; No. 2 * Ave Maria * Can Can * Canon in D * Clair de Lune * Eine Kleine Nachtmusik * Fur Elise * Hallelujah Chorus * Hungarian Dance No. 5 * La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin (The Girl with the Flaxen Hair) * Largo from Symphony No. 9 ("New World") * Meditation * Minuet in G * Ode to Joy * Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte * Pomp and Circumstance * Sonata No. 11 in a Major; K 331; Third Movement ("Rondo Alla Turca") * The Surprise Symphony * Waltz in a Minor * William Tell Overture * and more. Each arrangement is simple and streamlined; yet still captures the essence of the tune!
#3265516 in eBooks 2015-02-01 2015-02-01File Name: B00U7HA9SY
Review
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful. ONLY FOR THOSE WHO WANT "ILLUMINATING" KENTON ANECDOTES"By W. BUTLERI cant help wondering if any of the 5-star reviewers really like Stan Kentons music? If they do what then is to be gained by reading endless mean-spirited "Kenton gossip" when surely the main purpose of any biography about a musician is to increase ones pleasure in listening to their music? In this instance extremely easy because thankfully Stan Kentons entire output is safely preserved to be discovered (and demanded) by an entirely new generation who are beginning to realize he was a monumental American original (still ostracized by the jazz establishment. I.e. only 3 unflattering pages in Ken "Burnss Jazz TV/book).Clearly Mr. Sparke is catering for another kind of "fan" who want Stan Kentons musical career spiced up with quotes from contemporaneous lesser lights - who more often than not contribute something derogatory to fill Mr. Sparkes filing cabinet. Thus one learns Stan wasnt such a great composer; eventually lost his touch as an arranger and had a very limited piano style. With so many of his ex-comrades chiming-in with their irrelevant "opinions" I suggest if you want to continue to enjoy Stan Kentons music without any literary interference this book is definitely not for you.As the prescient 3-star reviewer points out the other big problem is that although Mr. Sparke appears to have "cornered the Kenton market" a huge question mark hangs over his musical tastes. What he thinks is good or bad about Kentons music and albums seems to be constantly out of sinc with the views of the Kenton faithful. A typical example being reviewers reverence for the wonderful mellophonium album "Adventures in Jazz" and Mr. Sparke; who concludes it is "Not an album I can return to with unreserved enthusiasm" (truly pompous?). For him its "a mixed bag" with "Waltz of the Prophets running far too long for its limited inspiration". Inevitably he adds a quote from another nonentity who says "It was kind of trite repetitive stuff". Stans next great album "Adventures in Blues" only gets a half-page - with no accolades about its thermatic unity and the unique sonorities provided by 4 bass instruments. But of course we get another nasty quote about Roland writing a few good arrangements but "a lot of duds". Why does he think we need to read this stuff?Later on Mr. Sparke says the only recording truly showcasing the mellophonium period "as it really sounded" is to be found on "Concert in England". Yet on this CD has only one tepid 3-star review saying "the sound is poor and the brass sound as if they were playing in the next room". Were they listening to the same CD?One of the main reasons for me to buy a new Kenton book is to discover which non-Capitol recordings the author recommends. Especially of concerts where Stans more spontaneous performances are to be found but which often come up short because theyre poorly recorded. Again Mr. Sparke lets us down by failing to identify those with BOTH valuable content AND good sound. But when he does pass judgment again his tastes seem to be diametrically opposite to those expressed by Kenton fans on both sides of the Atlantic. Just compare the ecstatic reviews for his 1972 English concert "Stan Kenton Today" and then read Mr. Spark - who considers the entire enterprise something of a disaster. In his opinion "The end results were listenable but far from spectacular". When in actuality this is a crystal clear recording with the English audiences rapt appreciation for his slow classics and wild enthusiastic applause after (and during) the fast numbers explaining exactly how and why Stan Kentons appeal transcended all the limitations of "authentic jazz". (In this same hall I never heard anything but respectful ripples of applause for Duke Ellingtons big-name band - who usually looked even more bored than the audience while "going through their paces" playing the same basic program - for about 10 years)Regarding the legacy of the 2 great men Dukes tunes may live on but his arrangements cant because they were entirely dependant on the talents of unique band members. But for proof Stan Kentons unique sound palette is still alive and well try visiting YouTube and clicking on "Malaguena" played by the Michigan Marching Band. No amplifiers or synthesizers; just incredible waves of pulsating sound produced by real instruments played with maximum force by over 400 instrumentalists. The same pulse-raising martial music one suspects was once used to inspire Roman Legions before they proceded to demolish opposing naked hordes. I venture to say these magic modern BRASS SOUNDS are the true legacy of one charismatic obstinate Californian - who followed his own star to the very end.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The bands four-decade history; warts and allBy James A. VeddaFor long-time Kenton followers; this is an excellent read that will bring back great memories and illuminate the ups and downs of the bands history. Sparke is not shy about expressing his opinions on the musical and business decisions made over the years; and not all readers will agree with his assessments. But its clear that this book is a labor of love by a lifelong fan; who fortunately doesnt try to sugar-coat this tribute to his jazz idol.This is not a traditional biography. The books treatment of Kenton the man is mostly found at the beginning and end; while the bulk of the text is about Kenton in the context of the organization he led (which was; admittedly; the overwhelmingly dominant aspect of his life). Still; theres plenty to be learned about his devotion to his music; his generosity as a leader; and the sad decline of his health in the 1970s.Sparke has compiled research spanning decades; including interviews and correspondence with many of the key players; including Kenton. The result is a thorough treatment that will warm the hearts of those of us who have been steeped in Kenton lore for most of our lives. However; readers may quickly get bogged down if they are only marginally familiar with the man and his music. This book is aimed at Kenton aficionados; not at winning over new fans. The cast of characters is large; encompassing musicians; singers; arrangers; managers; and others over the bands four-decade history. Specific recordings and arrangements are discussed at length. The author makes some assumptions about the readers familiarity with all of this; and doesnt always adequately explain the identity or importance of certain people; events; or pieces of music.Overall; I found this to be a satisfying portrayal of one of the most memorable leaders in jazz. As Sparke and others have noted; the orchestra was Kentons instrument. On a good day; there was no one who played it better. This book chronicles how hard he worked; and what he sacrificed; to make that happen.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Putting the Music in ContextBy Mike D.I discovered big band music at the time my peers were discovering the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. While my admiration for the Ellington; Basie and Herman bands remained constant; Kenton was a different story. I was never quite sure of what I was getting with a new Kenton album (Tex Ritter?!); although the pleasures outweighed the disappointments.All of this makes more sense to me now thanks to Mr. Sparkes book and its descriptions of the various incarnations of the Kenton band ; the influence that different arrangers had on the bands sound; and the pressures brought upon it by the bands recording company.It was helpful going through the book with three of the Mosaic box sets loaded onto my iPod; along with some selective downloads from iTunes. Unlike some other reviewers; I didnt find the book overly critical of Kenton; either personally or professionally. I thought it balanced and complimentary.By the way; the DVD "Stan Kenton: Artistry in Rhythm" makes an excellent companion piece to the book.
