Puppets, Book 2: Conductor Score & Parts

Martinu's gift for musical narrative shines through these character pieces. The Puppets writing avoids the heavy abstraction that can make twentieth-century piano music feel remote from students; instead, the imagery and rhythmic momentum create natural entry points for developing pianists exploring modern repertoire.

Playful yet sophisticated, with the whimsy suggested by the title grounded in careful compositional craft. The music moves with purpose and clarity, inviting the listener into a world of distinctive rhythmic and harmonic color that feels both contemporary and timeless.

Intermediate to advanced pianists seeking twentieth-century repertoire that combines technical interest with clear musical purpose. Teachers looking to introduce students to modernist keyboard writing through accessible, character-driven pieces will find these works rewarding to study and perform.

• Observe the dynamic contrasts carefully. Martinu uses sudden shifts in volume and articulation to animate the character of each section, so resist the urge to smooth over these transitions.
• Pay attention to the rhythmic precision called for. The writing often features angular, syncopated figures that require clear counting and a steady internal pulse.
• Shape melodic lines with gentle emphasis rather than heavy accent. The narrative quality emerges from careful voicing and phrasing, not from aggressive dynamics.

These pieces work well in student recitals or competitions where variety is essential, offering a lighter touch than weightier twentieth-century works while maintaining artistic substance. Consider programming them alongside Baroque inventions or other character pieces to create a program that spans centuries of keyboard writing.

• Reading twentieth-century notation and harmonic language
• Executing rhythmic precision in syncopated and irregular figures
• Shaping melodic material through subtle dynamic and tonal control
• Understanding character development and narrative in instrumental music