Although written for beginners (Grade 0-2), James Rae’s “City Snapshots”, for flute(s) and piano manages, even at this level, to capture the essence of music from around the world.

Amongst the twelve pieces, we find a waltz in Viennese style that could have been written by Johann Strauss himself, a dreamy blues from Manhattan, a Cossack Dance from Kiev and a lively Irish Jig to finish the world tour in Dublin. To accommodate beginner clarinetists, all the pieces are written in the low register, in comfortable keys. Nor will teachers have any problems with the piano accompaniments, which also include chord symbols.

An entertaining adventure for children – whether alone or in duet.