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Lester 60 Rambles

Author: John Walker
Date: 2009-04-21 14:00

I am working on a project involving Leon Lester's 60 Rambles, and have some questions about tempos.

On the whole, the metronome markings are a little slow in relation to the tempo terms, such as Moderato, Q=63 (which is more in the Adagio range). Since these are teaching pieces it makes sense to suggest somewhat slower rather than faster tempos.

But three pieces in particular seem far out of line with their tempo terms. These are: No. 19 Jim Dandy marked Giocoso moderato (Q=58), No. 22 Hill and Dale marked Allegretto (Q=50) and No. 28 Syncopated Study marked Moderato (Q=60). The pieces all are intrinsically quick by their title and nature, but those slow metronome numbers do not fit their characters at all.

Does anyone who has taught these pieces know what Mr. Lester was thinking in those cases? Does anyone know him personally, with insights into this collection? And do you have any other thoughts on tempo within the whole collection? Thanks very much for your help.

Dr. John M. Walker
Director of Keyboard Studies
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD 57007

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