The Whispers and Dreams songbook is the companion sheet music book for James Michael Stevens’ 2020 album by the same name. All fourteen of the pieces from the recording are included. Most of the music in this collection is on the melancholy, poignant side, and is a good match for the mood much of the world is in these days. Subtitled “Reflective Piano Solos,” the music is quiet and introspective, and I found it very relaxing to play through the book. None of the pieces are difficult or in complicated key signatures, and each piece is three pages, so this is a really good songbook for pianists at almost any level except beginners who are not yet reading the notes fluently. James Michael Stevens is an incredibly prolific composer and is second only to JS Bach in the number of solo piano pieces he has available on Sheet Music Plus.

Whispers and Dreams is available only as a PDF download from SheetMusicPlus.com. The layout of the scores is roomy and easy to read. None of the timing in these pieces is tricky and there are no reaches of more than an octave, so even pianists at an intermediate level will find much to enjoy in this collection! Most of the fourteen pieces are in key signatures with one sharp (3) or flat (6) or none (2), making the music easier to read and play - especially for less-experienced pianists. The expressive quality of the music makes it a joy to play and allows the pianist to add his or her own emotions and tonal colors to it. This book would also be excellent teaching material for piano students of any age.

The titles of the pieces, the keys they are in and the number of pages are:

Whispers and Dreams - Key of Eb (3 flats)/ C (0 sharps or flats) - 3 pages
The Silent Sea - Key of E minor (1 sharp) - 3 pages
In My Quiet Times - Key of C (0 sharps or flats) - 3 pages
Passacaglia of Peace - Key of D minor (1 flat) - 3 pages
Forgotten Streets - Key of D minor (1 flat) - 3 pages
Silent Tree - Key of D minor (1 flat) - 3 pages
Mellow Moments - Key of F (1 flat) - 3 pages
Every Time the Autumn Leaves Fall - Key of D minor (1 flat) - 3 pages
Blackbirds in the Night - Key of E minor (1 sharp) - 3 pages
Falls of Skogafoss - Key of C (0 sharps or flats) - 3 pages
Calm Moments - Key of A (3 sharps) - 3 pages
Poetry of Love - Key of D (2 sharps)/ D minor (1 flat) - 3 pages
Shadows in the April Sky - Key of E minor (1 sharp) - 3 pages
Lost in a Purple Sunset - Key of Bb (2 flats) - 3 pages