Diversions, Book 1

Opening this book feels like discovering a series of musical snapshots, each one capturing a distinct mood or moment. Whether lyrical and introspective or playful and spirited, the pieces invite you into specific emotional landscapes without overwrought drama or sentimentality.

Late intermediate pianists who are ready to move beyond technical exercises and explore how musical ideas can be developed within a compact form. This collection appeals equally to conservatory-track students preparing for classical repertoire and adult learners seeking rewarding music with real artistic depth.

• Listen closely to the harmonic shifts within each piece; McLean often uses subtle color changes to signal new musical ideas, and bringing these forward reveals his compositional architecture.
• Treat dynamic markings as essential to the character of each miniature rather than decorative details. The expressive pieces rely on careful control of tone production at different volume levels.
• Allow rubato to emerge naturally from the phrasing rather than imposing it mechanically. These pieces breathe best when the performer shapes the line according to the melodic contour.

Diversions, Book 1 works beautifully on student recitals as standalone pieces or paired groupings that showcase contrasting moods. Use individual selections as concert openers or interludes between larger works, or program several pieces in sequence to highlight the range of expression students can achieve.

• Phrasing and shaping melodic lines with musicality
• Harmonic awareness through color changes and subtle progressions
• Stylistic flexibility across lyrical, character, and playful genres
• Pedal control appropriate to different textures and sonorities
• Building interpretive choices through close score study