One of my favorite pastimes is sitting down with a new piano book and sight-reading through it. The pleasure is further enhanced when it’s a new collection by a lesser-known composer with a fresh and engaging sound. Such was the case with the trio of books by Czech composer Jakub Metelka that I discovered last summer. Now Jakub has a new collection called Silhouettes with 10 enchanting piano solos that I like even more than the others!
I just can’t stop playing through these! My favorite is the hauntingly beautiful Sad Story in d minor. A rolling rhythm of eighth notes throughout the left hand propels the piece forward as a singing right hand melodic line soars above. Extensive fingering is included (as is true throughout the book), significantly speeding up the learning process! Jakub’s propensity to write in difficult keys continues (C# Major, anyone?), so several of the pieces will offer a bit of a challenge for a late intermediate student (two of the ten silhouettes boast this 7-sharp key signature!). However, the satisfying musical outcome is well worth the effort, and these would be fabulous selections for students looking to play new music in recitals or masterclasses.
Silhouettes is available in a digital edition through Jakub’s website. And he has a complete recording of each piece on his YouTube channel as well. Jakub’s music is a treasure trove that should find a place in every pianist’s library. I look forward to seeing what he composes next!
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