Love & Loss is the companion sheet music book for Earl Johnson's 2025 solo piano album by the same title. In addition to the sheet music for all fifteen pieces from the recording, the songbook features a two-page bio and four pages of "Composer's Notes" where Earl describes the inspiration for the music and includes specific information about each piece. There is a very interesting variety in the styles of the music which ranges from bright and lively to very slow and somber, exploring themes such as the birth of a niece, the death of a loved one, a young girl's love of a "rather ugly horse," friendship, ice skating on first dates - and more! Love & Loss is the fourth album and songbook from Earl Johnson, a piano teacher in Southern California as well as a composer, performer and arranger.

Most of the fifteen pieces are at an intermediate/upper-intermediate playing level - a few are a little more challenging. They are all very emotionally expressive and suitable for pianists of any age, but will likely appeal more to teens and adults. The pieces range from one page to five, and most are 3-4 pages. The printed songbooks are available through Amazon and are in the 8 1/2"x11" format. They are well-spaced and easy to read, although it can be a little tricky to keep them open on the piano. Single pieces as well as the full collection are available to download from www.earljohnsonpiano.com.

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

Tender Touch - Key of Eb (3 flats) - 2 pages
Cupid's Canoe - Key of D (2 sharps) - 4 pages
The Royal Dances - Key of D (2 sharps) - 4 pages
At First Sight - Key of Eb (3 flats) - 3 pages
Ava Rose - Key of D (2 sharps) - 3 pages
Fiona's Theme - Key of E (4 sharps) - 4 pages
Aftermath - Key of Bb (2 flats) - 1 page
Ice Skates - Key of Eb (3 flats) - 4 pages
Hymn of Kindness - Key of Eb (3 flats) - 3 pages
Paramour's Carousel - Key of G minor (2 flats) - 5 pages
My Forever Friend - Key of E (4 sharps) - 4 pages
Never Say Goodbye - Key of G (1 sharp) - 1 1/2 pages
Butterfly Kisses - Key of A (3 sharps) - 4 pages
Memories - Key of D (2 sharps) - 2 pages
Bittersweet - Key of Eb (3 flats) - 4 pages

Kathy Parsons