Good but difficult/strange arrangements
354606
I was a little disappointed with some of the arrangements in this book. Some just felt empty when I played them and didn't represent the orchestral arrangement from the original soundtrack, and many of the arrangements were more difficult than what I thought at first glance. They would be OK for an intermediate player. Many songs include difficult key signatures, but with practice, they can be played. Sebastian Wolff (German Seabass on YouTube) did some of his own arrangements of these songs which, in my opinion, are far superior. Also, I was quite disappointed that it didn't include the song For the Dancing and the Dreaming. Felt odd considering it included obscure songs such as "Should I Know You?"
Nevertheless, these songs are fun to play, and it represents a good portion of the music from the movie, which I love, so this book was a must-have for me. I do not regret buying it.

Included songs:

HTTYD
This is Berk
The Downed Dragon
See You Tomorrow
Test Drive
Romantic Flight
Ready the Ships
Where's Hiccup?
Sticks and Stones

HTTYD 2
Dragon Racing
Should I Know You?
Flying with Mother
Stoick Saves Hiccup
Stoick's Ship
Where No One Goes
3437104
Journey's soundtrack is, by far, my favorite video game music ever. When "Transfiguration" was released, which is a recording of these arrangements, I learned how faithful and complex this book actually is to the music and bought it immediately.

So go listen to Transfiguration. Hear how these arrangements are not simplifications of the melody over some generic baseline, like so many piano arrangements are. They're not transpositions into easier keys or truncated for simplicity. They're real pieces which are truly designed to sound good on piano.

But beware, Unlike most arrangements, these are actually quite difficult. Nascence is easy enough, but the other five are intermediate to advanced. I've seen classical works rated for 10+ years of experience easier than these Journey arrangements, and that's kind of awesome.
3335966
I ordered this book because it had O Holy Night in it. I was not disappointed.  It is a beautiful arrangement as are all the other pieces in this book.  They are all very challenging solos which is what I was looking for. I would say that they are intermediate to advanced in difficulty.
2324062
Just bought.  On a first reading the arrangements are good.  Except, and this is just a peeve of mine.

In Bundle of Joy, Michael switches out of 8va... to stay 3 bars over clef.  If you're still north of C6 after switching why not just leave it in 8va.
1994566
These are wonderful arrangements!  I consider myself a solid intermediate player (can sight read most things and have a pretty good range to high C/D - play first chair trumpet in a pit for a local high school's musicals for over 10 years) but this was a bit technically difficult for me to sight read... If I had more time to practice, I would have been fine, but I didn't have time this year, so this book didn't get used as much as I would have wanted to.  I do think the book could have given some indication of difficulty just so people know.  It did have some parts where the CD would solo and that was not written on the page.  I like this (although it is out of my comfort zone)... but I do feel like it captures the jazzy aspect of the selections!
2607356
Christmas Evergreens is a compilation of 17 previously published piano arrangements by 11 different composers.  These are mostly advanced arrangements.  While they are all very beautiful, some of these arrangements will take more effort to get them performance ready than the end result is worth.  With a few exceptions, these are not pieces that you can prepare quickly for a last minute prelude or offertory.  Although I enjoy many pieces in this book, my favorite has to be Joseph M. Martins melody of Pachelbels Canon in D and The First Noel.  It starts out with the Canon, moves into The First Noel, and then he skillfully blends the two together.

The arrangements are:

1) Joy to the World, ANTIOCH, arr. by Mark Hayes;
2) Canon de Nol (Medley of Pachelbels Canon with The First Noel), arr. by Joseph M. Martin
3) Ukrainian Bell Carol, arr. by Shirley Brendlinger
4) Angels We Have Heard on High, GLORIA, arr. by Cindy Berry
5) What Child Is This?, GREESLEEVES, arr. by Shirley Brendlinger
6) Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, HYFRYDOL, arr. by Chuck Marohnic
7) Rise Up, Shepherds, and Follow, arr. by Mark Hayes;
8) Prelude on Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful), arr. by Michael Cox
9) Children, Go Where I Send Thee/Go, Tell It on the Mountain, arr. by Joseph M. Martin
10) Infant Holy, Infant Lowly with He Is Born, the Divine Christ Child, W ZLOBIE LEZY and IL EST NE, arr. by Brant Adams
11) O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, VENI EMMANUEL, arr. by Lloyd Larson
12) The Friendly Beasts, OREINTUS PATRIBUS, arr. by Chuck Marohnic
13) Away in a Manger (in the style of Erik Saties Gymnopedie #1), MUELLER, arr. by Joseph M. Martin
14) O Little Town of Bethlehem, FOREST GREEN, arr. by Lloyd Larson, (NOTE: this is a different tune than ST. LOUIS, the hymn tune most often associated with O Little Town of Bethlehem.)
15) Of the Fathers Love Begotten, DIVINUM MYSTERIUM, arr. by Larry Shackley
16) Lonely Midnight, an original piece by James M. Stevens
17) O How Joyfully, SICILIAN MARINERS, arr. by Vicki Tucker Courtney.
3365889
These arrangements are a good exposition, for those of us who haven't a clue, of how to use Eb7#9#5 and other such chords in a musical sentence. Voicing of jazz chords has been something of a mystery. There are "aha!" moments in each tune when I can finally hear that jazz sound coming from my piano, and at the same time I am playing, no less.  The book is worth the price just to have an arrangement of the beautiful Peace Piece.  Not especially easy arrangements for the late intermediate player, but a rewarding challenge.
2646661
I recently listened to Geza Anda's recording of several Mozart concerti. While his playing was brilliant in many places, I found it very hard to get over his "cadenza oddities" - weird, contrived tempi that were contrary to (in my opinion) all instinctual musical motion/direction.

I have a similar problem with Eschenbach's cadenzas / embellishments. They were at times a bit harmonically trite (eek, especially the 5ths opening of the 3rd mov of no. 21...) and for me, his overall approach to texture was too heavy for Mozart (would Mozart have come up with the texture Eschenbach did @ the end of the 1st mov. cadenza in no. 21?).

I appreciated Eschenbach's strength (so German!) and the fact that he did not, as Brendel would probably very much appreciate, approach Mozart as if he were "made of porcelain." However, I got the impression he was ever so slightly scared of letting Mozart - in all his simplicity - suffice. At times, I heard, "but if I just do THIS, it might sound a little more clever and a little more daring." I guess it was in his tone- sometimes it was hard edged and lacked a gentleness- and his flashy bursts of speed in the cadenzas. Excitement is fine, but never at the price of tone or concept.

Overall, I am enjoying his 595 very much, but the aforementioned oddities (especially in no. 21) are hard to listen to.

Perahia, I think, still remains the closest to best that I've heard. The elusive search continues... :)
1579552
Really do not like that the scores are not included for 4 parts pieces! The arrangements are nice but the book is not very organized.
1153986
The binding makes it very hard for a pianist to play and there are many unfamiliear songs but also some really good ones.
4046334
As a Jazz guitar player I was looking for classic Bill Evans arrangements transported to the guitar. Unfortunately the arrangements in this book have more in common with classical music than Jazz.
The individual chords used in the book are lush, and taken individually evoke the Bill Evan's sound. The rhythms however are mostly just very simple whole-note-chord, whole-note-chord, simple run, whole-note-chord.
The effect is much more classical than Jazz, which makes sense considering the author is obviously a classical player. Actually the book says "He is well versed in both classical and jazz guitar styles", but the performance captured on the CD is on a gut string and performed so stiffly it leads me to believe the author is a classical player who likes Jazz.
While I am disappointed about not being able to add the arrangements to my preformance repertoire, the chords are quite beautiful and unique, and worth taking some time to read through.
2287504
I like a few of the arrangements, while others, in my opinion, are overly embellished with altered chords and rhythms.
3370209
Enjoy the sight-readable arrangements in the book. However, it's cumbersome - ring-bound might have made it more music stand friendly.
4711897
I have reviewed this title previously but here it is again. Quite a good book but the songs are generally too difficult for young singers unaccustomed to singing without a melody accompaniment. Good for more experienced young singers. I wouldn't recommend it for beginners.
167494
Definitely different arrangements than you are used to hearing.....some I like better than original versions. A beautiful recording to listen to the subtle nuances of the masters.
441505
Though the notes are easy and appropriate for beginning piano students, the rhythms and arrangements themselves are quite difficult. My beginning piano students were thrilled with the book but have been very frustrated actually trying to play the songs.
1149894
This book contains 10 old hymns and gospel songs arranged in a light jazz-style by Teresa Wilhelmi.  The style of this book is typical for Teresa Wilhelmi.  Her arrangements are usually slow and soft.  There are lots of jazz harmonies which can sound harsh at times.  While not technically difficult, her arrangements can be difficult due to the unusual chords and voicings she uses.  I consider myself to be an advanced pianist but I have difficulties sight reading her music at times.  The thing I love about her arrangements is that she brings a fresh, creative approach to these old hymns.  While her style may be an acquired taste for some, I love the way she finds new ways to dress up some of these old tunes we have all heard hundreds of times before.
One interesting thing about this book is that there are optional interludes between most of the songs.  You play this entire book from cover to cover without stopping.  Also, this is one of the few books by Teresa Wilhelmi that includes metronome speeds at the beginning of each song.
My favorite pieces in this book are O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus and Old Time Religion.  Atypically for Teresa Wilhelmi, O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus ends with a loud cascade of descending octaves.  Old Time Religion starts out swinging and rotates through several different moods and styles before reaching its conclusion.
The arrangements are:
1) Were You There? + Optional Interlude
2) It Is Well with My Soul + Optional Interlude
3) What Wondrous Love Is This + Optional Interlude
4) Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah  + Optional Interlude
5) A Mighty Fortress Is Our God + Optional Interlude
6) Old Time Religion + Optional Interlude
7) O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus (Optional Segue to next song)
8) Praise to the Lord, the Almighty + Optional Interlude
9) Morning Has Broken (Optional Segue to next song)
10) Sweet Hour of Prayer
NOTE:  The arrangements of Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, Old Time Religion and Sweet Hour of Prayer were published previously in the Teresa Wilhelmis book, Undivided, published in 1987.