Bellbird Publications has just released Caricatures, a compilation of piano music by father and son composers John and Anthony Ritchie. The volume is designed for pianists of about Grade 8 level and above.
Caricatures is named after John Ritchie's delightful Three Caricatures for Piano (1987). Originally written as incidental music for the Moliere comedy 'Le Malade Imaginaire', the movements are a Toccatina which describes a hypochondriac father, a sentimental Sarabande describing the devoted daughter, and a lively Jig poking fun at the medical faculty.
The other pieces in the volume were written by Anthony Ritchie.
Olveston Suite(1988), has six movements which evoke rooms in the historic Dunedin home, Olveston.
There are three pieces from Anthony's early piano work Poems of Spring (1981): Yearning, Lover's Dance and Calm. These pieces complement the other five 'Poems of Spring' which were published by Promethean Editions in their volume entitled 'Firestarters'.
Rounding off the volume is Music for Tristan (1988), named after the composer's son. It was composed for Sharon Joy Vogan and recorded by her on the SOUNZ CD 'Finemusic'. The slow and expansive outer sections contrast with the lively inner sections. Showing echoes of Ravel and Bartok, it is the most difficult of the pieces in Caricatures, and would be suitable for L.T.C.L. level.
The price of this volume is NZ$24.95.
| Bellbird Publications | Phone | 03 476-2541 |
| 229 Helensburgh Rd | bellbird@anthonyritchie.co.nz | ||
| Dunedin | Links: | Bellbird Publications home page | |
| NEW ZEALAND | Anthony Ritchie home page |