Once again, the ubiquitous Trevor Wye - flute pedagogue for all seasons and reasons - has produced a useful, entertaining, and thoroughly original set of materials to encourage and assist developing flutists. Building on the tradition established in his Novello series of Practice Books (on Tone, Technique, Articulation, Breathing, Intonation, and Vibrato), Wye has recently gone on to more specialized and focused pedagogical material for the beginner, the piccolo, for flute classes, and in his comprehensive overview of flute playing and teaching: Proper Flute Playing. Now this distinguished flutist and teacher has brought forward a welcome and needed treatise focusing on those taking up the flute later in life. While this work is directed primarily at adult amateurs desiring to learn to play quickly and easily, the contents of this gem of clear writing and good advice will be of interest and use to experienced teachers and players as well.

     Starting from the very first considerations in taking up the flute (buying a flute, finding a teacher, posture, practicing) this method treats flute playing as a grand and sumptuous meal: Starters (warming up, tone development and focus), Main Course (tone, technique, articulation), and Dessert (lists of chamber music playable by amateurs, recommended anthologies of solos and ensembles to try, tips on memorizing, confidence building, and special problems encountered by older students such as dental problems, arthritis, sight problems, pregnancy, tiredness). The author finishes with a rollick through a Short History of the Flute and a fun Dictionary of Musical Words (e.g., Forte = One up from 39!)

     The exercises throughout are of the direct and practical sort we have come to expect from Wye's writing: progressive in difficulty, clear instructions for each new technique or problem, and encouraging (and yet serious) admonitions toward success and enjoyment. This work is not intended to be a "stand alone" method, but would supplement any number of beginning method books for flute. Teachers would find The Adult Flute Student a great aid in individual or class lessons. It is highly recommended for consideration as a reference text for college woodwinds classes, for woodwind "doublers" on the flute, or anyone with some background in musical notation and the basics of flute playing who wants to make rapid progress. (JEP)

     Published by Just Flutes, 36 Chipstead Valley Rd, Coulson, Surrey, England, CR5 2RA, and available in the U.S.A. from Flute World, Inc., PO Box 250248, Franklin, MI 48025 --- Phone: 248-855-0410, or on-line at http://www.fluteworld.com. Price for this book has not been set, as of our deadline for publication -- contact Flute World directly for this info.

      Another in the recent series of well-received anthologies by this duo of editors, this current publication brings together in a playable and well-edited format seven of Mozart's most popular works. Some were originally for flute, others adapted for flute and piano. Included here are: Twelve Variations on "Ah! Vous Dirai-je, Maman", the Andante in C, the Andantino from the Concerto for Flute and Harp, the Sonata in F (K. 13), the Andante from Piano Concerti in C (K. 467), the Serenade, "Eine kleine Nachtmusik" (K. 525) and the Rhondo in C for Violin and Orchestra (K. 373).

      This volume will be a welcome addition to your library and a great way for students to learn the 18th century classic style before tackling the full concertos or symphonic literature. The selections included are of moderate technical difficulty, but full of the kind of demands for grace and elegance that require a ease of phrasing, light articulation, and a singing tone. These appealing works would be very appropriate for recital, or church, or for casual performance at weddings, receptions, and dinner music engagements. A most agreeable and inexpensively priced new release. (JEP)