Fake Books provide a rough outline for songs/music for on-demand performances. By providing chord symbols, chord progressions and melodies these song collections allow the skilled music reader to provide an approximation of the original setting of the tune. These books are also useful for those interested in understanding music theory (harmonics and chord progressions) along with providing basic (usually simplified) melodies for solo instruments. The books can be used by both soloists (i.e. piano only) as well as by ensembles – where each group member uses the chords, rhythms and melodies as appropriate for their portion of the ensemble (i.e. a melody instrument like the flute or violin combined with a piano accompaniment.) Using the modern Fake Books is not unlike the performance traditions used for the music of the Baroque period where performers frequently added to the interpretation of the work by using common musical conventions (i.e. Alberti bass progressions and ornaments.)
This is not a comprehensive list – I have selected a few of the most important/popular composers. A significantly larger list is found here. Note that birth dates may be open to debate since composers listed here may have been born during periods of poor record keeping.
1/27/1756 – 12/5/1791 Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus (W.A.): Composer/Prodigy from the Classical period whose output covers opera, orchestra, chamber, solo instrumental and vocal music. Two famous works by Mozart: Eine Kleine Nacht Music (music for strings, A little night music) and the opera, The Marriage of Figero.
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His Greatest Piano Solos By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791). Collection for solo piano. Series: “His Greatest”. 192 pages. Published by Ashley Publications, Inc. (HL.510151)
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The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflote) By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791). Vocal score for voices (solo and ensemble) and piano accompaniment. Text language German/English. 167 pages. Published by G. Schirmer, Inc. (HL.50337620)
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1/7/1899 – 1/30/1963 Poulenc, Francis: Composer from the modern period with strong Romantic/Impressionist links. Poulenc composed a number or religious works (choral music as well as sacred songs) in addition to his instrumental output. Two famous works: Gloria (Soprano, SATB and orchestra) and the opera, Dialogues of the Carmelites.
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Gloria (Vocal Score) By Francis Poulenc (1899-1963). Vocal score for SATB choir. Series: Choral Large Works. Text language Latin. 60 pages. Published by Salabert. (HL.50418140)
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Piano Album By Francis Poulenc (1899-1963). Collection for solo piano. 56 pages. Published by Salabert. (HL.50488443)
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1/31/1797 – 11/19/1828 Schubert, Franz Peter: Composer from the late Classical period whose song/Lieder output was tremendous. Schubert’s works for piano are also still popular. Two famous works: Ave Maria (sacred/art song but arranged for just about any instrument combination) and the Unfinished Symphony.
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The Complete Ave Maria By Charles Francois Gounod (1818-1893), Franz Schubert (1797-1828), Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). Vocal/piano/organ book for high voice solo, medium voice solo, low voice solo, piano (accompaniment and solo) and organ (accompaniment and solo). 80 pages. Published by Hal Leonard. (HL.747023)
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200 Songs in three volumes (Volume 1: 100 Songs) Selected by Sergius Kagen, composed by Franz Schubert (1797-1828). Collection for high voice solo and piano accompaniment. Text language German. Published by International Music Co. (IM.2010)
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50 Selected Songs – Low Voice By Franz Schubert (1797-1828), Hugo Wolf (1860-1903), Johannes Brahms (1833-1897), Richard Strauss (1864-1949), Robert Schumann (1810-1856), edited by Florence Easton. Collection for low voice and piano. Schirmer Library Vol.1755. Text language English, German. 212 pages. Published by G. Schirmer, Inc. (HL.50261430)
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Piano Sonatas, Volume I By Franz Schubert (1797-1828), edited by Paul Mies. Collection for Piano (Harpsichord), 2-hands. Urtext edition-paper bound. 163 pages. Published by G. Henle. (HL.51480146)
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