14 very diverse pieces from 1945 collected together in this wonderful anthology. The majority of the pieces are not readily available elsewhere which leads to a very interesting selection of pieces some familiar some less so. The pieces range from moderately easy to advanced.

Romantic Tone Poems for Piano Solo Late Intermediate to Advanced Level. Par CHRISTOS TSITSAROS. Five beautiful pieces that are in essence deeply romantic tone poems. Tsitsaros weaves styles that range from late romantic, early impressionistic, early 20th century modal, and even a little New Age throughout the book. Tied together by exuberant lyricism, these French-inspired pieces will delight and enchant. Suitable for an advanced student or a college level recital. Titles: Echoes of a Sea Cave · Evocation · Reverie · Soaring Exultation · Toccata./ Répertoire / Piano

The Buzzard The Black Wheatear and the Curlew-Catalogue D'Oiseaux by Olivier Messiaenis a set of 7 books with 13 pieces for Piano composed between 1956 and 1958. Each volume refers to a special bird and to the French region where the bird is typically from. The piece does not only describe the bird it also depicts its surroundings such as other birds the landscape of its area the colours and the temperature. Book 1 - Le Chocard des Alpes (Alpine Chough) - Le Loriot (Golden Oriole) IH Le Merle Bleu (Blue Rock Thrush) Book 2 - Le Traquet Stapazin (Black-Eared Wheatear) Book 3 - La Chouette Hulotte (Tawny Owl) - L'AlouetteLulu (Wood Lark) Book 4 - La Rousserolle Effarvatte (Reed Warbler) Book 5 - L'Alouette Calandrelle (Short-Toed Lark) - La Bouscarle (Cetti's Warbler) Book 6 - Le Merle de Roche (Rock Thrush) Book 7 - La Buse Variable (Buzzard) - Le Traquet Rieur (Black Wheatear) - Le Courlis Cendré (Curlew) As mentioned above this 7th Volume focuses on the buzzard the black wheatear and the curlew. The first one the Buzzard represents “La matheysine” in the Dauphiny area the Black Wheatear the area of Roussillion and the Curlew the west coast of Brittany. The interpretation of these pieces requires a strong level of ability on Piano (upper advanced) due to some complex techniques required. Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) was a French organist and composer passionate about Ornithology and one of the most important composers of his century. Inspired by Japanese music he had a very special way of composing and his work can be identified by its complexity its diatonic aspect its harmony with limited transposition its colour and its additive rhythms. He composed many works related to ornithology and birdsong including the 'Treatise on rhythm colour and ornithology' in 7 volumes.

French composer and teacher Darius Milhaud (1892-1974) was a prolific composer of the 20th century as a member of 'Les Six'. His compositions remain highly regarded the Ballet  Le Train Bleu being no exception. Milhaud's compositions are influenced by jazz and polytonality as exemplified in Le Train Bleu. Composed in 1924  Le Train Bleu is a Ballet based on a scenario by Jean Cocteau and composed for the Ballets Russes. The title is taken from a night train called The Blue Train which transported wealth passengers from Calais to the Mediterranean Sea. In hisreduction for Piano Milhaud makes use of variation in articulation complex rhythms chromaticism accidentals harmonics altering tempos variation in dynamics and a wide tessitura amongst other aspects. Milhaud's Le Train Bleu is essential to all advanced pianists seeking modern and exciting repertoire.