Péter Wolf’s piano series, Wolf-temperiertes Klavier, first published in 2018, continues with a new volume. Following the 24 character pieces of the first volume, the Jazz Preludes of the second, and Inventions for Young Pianists, published in 2024, Inventions for Young Pianists Volume 2 once again enriches the repertoire of music-school pupils, this time with sixteen new pieces.

The playful series title, a nod to Bach, embraces a wide range of musical worlds. While the first volume explores all 24 major and minor keys, jazz influences shape the character of the pieces in the second. The first volume can also be heard in József Balog’s performance on a double CD released by BMC in 2019. He also recorded the Jazz Preludes, released by Tom-Tom Studio in 2022.

In the inventions for young pianists, Péter Wolf’s distinctive harmonies and rhythms meet children’s imagination in miniature forms. Once again, the titles alone spark curiosity. Rascal, Sloth and The Giddy One suggest contrasting characters; Snow White’s Tale and March of the Dwarves invite young players into the world of fairy tales, while Japanese Garden and Babbling Water evoke landscapes and images of nature. Just Chilling a Bit and I’m in a Good Mood capture moods familiar to children.

The two pieces entitled Rhythm Game also point to an important feature of the collection. Unusual and changing metres, melodies built in three-bar groups, syncopations and jazz-like accents bring variety to the music. The pieces also develop coordination between the hands, pedal technique and expressive playing.
To borrow a closing thought from piano teacher Rita Znamenák’s recommendation: the collection is for those who, alongside exploring the language of contemporary music, seek “the pleasure of free and enjoyable music-making”.