Alexander Tcherepnin: Alexandre Tcherepnin: Novelette No.1

As the title suggests this Sonatine interprets musical elements of sport. With this in mind Tcherepnine's Sonatine is a highly amusing energetic and fun piece to play for saxophonists. Russian born composer Alexandre Tcherepnine (1899-1977) moved to Paris with his family in 1921 following the increasingly hostile political environment in Russia. During WWII Tcherepnine's composing activities virtually stopped. However just before doing so he composed his Sonatine Sportive. The first movement interprets boxers with pulsating quavers in the piano partrepresenting a defence. Movement two suggests a rest that the two players take before the 'racing' third movement written in the form of a canon. With such stimulating and imaginative creativity Tcherepnine's Sonatine is essential to the saxophonist's repertoire.

The Contemporary Piano Literature series includes a selection of music written for children by Bartók Gretchaninov Kabalevsky Prokofiev Scott Shostakovich and Stravinsky. In addition the books contain pieces composed specifically for this series by Ross Lee Finney David Kraehenbuehl Douglas Moore Elie Siegmeister Alexandre Tansman and Alexander Tcherepnin. Short biographies and portraits help make composers come alive for the student. None of the music is so far in the vanguard that it is difficult to enjoy or understand.