Tomas Svoboda: Children’s Treasure Chest
Posted by Jay Batzner in CD Review, Jay Batzner, Piano
Tomas Svoboda
Children’s Treasure Box
Tomas Svoboda, piano
NPM LD 026
There are four volumes in the Children’s Treasure Box series and each of the 60 compositions are on this CD. Each piece in the series becomes progressively more difficult and there is a keen eye on pedagogy throughout the volumes. Not only are the typical note and rhythm lessons present, but each piece also deals with some sort of expression or articulation.
These are fun little pieces that will engage and entertain young beginners. The ideas presented in each piece are not dumbed down in any way (melodic inversion is discussed in piece #6 – Mirror, for example). These are playful pieces that educate (piece #33 – Jumping Rope deals with staccato and legato contrast; piece #44 – A Puppet introduces polytonality) and I think there is charm and wit for any level of pianist. Some of the more serious pieces may be a bit moribund for a young performer but there is so much fun music to play that it hardly seems relevant to mention (even though I mention it). These pieces never quite break into the intensity of the last volumes of the Mikrokosmos but that shouldn’t be seen as a detractor of the collection. I think any piano educator should have these pieces in their bag for their students.
As a recording beyond its pedagogical value, I enjoy it. Mr. Svoboda’s playing is expressive and simple, just as it should be for a project like this. I’ve had it playing in the background since it arrived in the mail and it makes very nice light listening. Parents will enjoy hearing their children practice these pieces, too. That is a more important facet of this music than some people might think…
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