Jayson Mackie

Around the World with My Recorder

A varied collection of six pieces for Descant Recorder and Piano, each from a different country.

* ABRSM Descant Recorder Grade 5, 2018 - 2021

REVIEW in "The Recorder Magazine" Summer 2013

Jayson Mackie
Around the World with My Recorder
For descant recorder and piano
Previously published by Peacock Press (P417).

Oh yes! To overlook this little book would be tragic.

There is 'Wallaby Hop' - difficult to read at first, but brilliant once one or two rhythmic patterns have been understood and the key change(to three flats) in the middle section carefully observed. The 'Dominican Blues' is sure to become a standard calypso for young players and is possibly the easiest of the pieces. The 'Japanese Lullaby' is in 5/4 and is in Kumoi tuning, which is explained in the book. This is a 'calm and easy-flowing' composition. Then there is the 'Romanian Folksong' with its rocking middle section in 5/8 and 2/4. The penultimate piece is a 'sultry' Rumba, 'Bahia Rumba'. The last work is the 'English Murder Mystery', which has many accidentals to negotiate.

This book would make interesting learning material for those learning descant recorder, however, as I think I have shown, it is not a book for beginners but should challenge our more ambitious players and yet be enjoyable.

Jackey Birch