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Songbook Review: A Gift of Moments
Louis Anthony deLise
Cover image of the songbook A Gift of Moments by Louis Anthony deLise
A Gift of Moments
Louis Anthony deLise
2021 / Metropolis
55 pages / 12 songs
Review by Kathy Parsons
The A Gift of Moments songbook is the companion sheet music collection for Louis Anthony deLise's 2021 recording by the same name. There are ten tracks on the recording and twelve pieces in the songbook. The difference is that there are solo piano as well a piano/cello duet versions of "A Time For Peace" and "Gentle Heart." The book is available in both printed and PDF versions; I am reviewing the PDF (for now).

The pieces are either three or four pages, so they are not lengthy. They aren't difficult, but I would put most of them at a late-intermediate/early advanced playing level. Louis Anthony deLise has an extensive background in several genres of music, making it difficult to classify it as one style or another (something I really appreciate!). Some of the rhythms are a bit complex with occasional runs and flourishes that are fun to play. There are more than a few reaches of over an octave, but most of those allow for the other hand to pick up the difficult stretches. Metronome settings are included for each piece, and phrasing is marked. All of the music in this collection is very expressive as the pieces were composed about various aspects of love - romantic, family, a way of life, etc. It's a beautiful book that won't be spending much time on the shelf - I'll keep it close to my piano so it's handy whenever I sit down to play.

The A Gift of Moments songbook is highly recommended and is available from Metropolis Music Publishers.

The titles of the pieces, the key(s) they are in, and the number of pages are:

A Gift of Moments - Key of C minor (3 flats) - 4 pages
Always In My Heart - Key of A minor (0 sharps or flats) - 3 pages
A Time for Peace - Key of C (0 sharps or flats)/ F (1 flat)/ Eb (3 flats) - 3 pages
All Alone - Key of D minor (1 flat) / 4 pages
The Heart of an Angel - Key of C (0 sharps or flats)/ F minor (4 flats) - 4 pages
In the Before Times (February 2020) - Key of C/ Eb (3 flats) - 4 pages
Gentle Heart - Key of A (3 sharps)/ C - 4 pages
A Song for My Children - Key of C - 3 pages
Ripples On the Pond - Key of Db (5 flats) - 4 pages
At the End of the Tunnel - Key of Eb (3 flats) - 4 pages

A Time for Peace (duet for piano and cello) - Key of C (0 sharps or flats)/ F (1 flat)/ Eb (3 flats) - 4 pages
Gentle Heart (duet for piano and cello) - Key of A (3 sharps)/ C - 4 pages
October 29, 2021
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