This collection is a treasury of melodies originating in Russia, Latvia, Poland, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, and Hungary, including several from Yiddish and Klezmer sources. The solos are especially well suited to performance on the soprano recorder, and they provide excellent material for developing skills in rapid tonguing, extended breath-control, and the playing of high notes. Arrangements of charming Russian folk tunes include Against the Red Sun and Jump Little Rabbit. Among old favorites are March Slav and In the Field Stood a Birch. Jewish melodies include Hava Nagilah, Hevenu Shalom Alechem and Varnitschkes. Although arranged primarily for soprano recorder, most of these solos can be played on tenor or alto recorder. (On the alto, use C fingerings.) A separate flute edition is available.
