Cello Globetrotters + CD

Ros Stephen is a violinist, composer and teacher based in London. She has performed on BBC television and radio, in West End Theatre and at leading concert venues and theatres in the UK and Europe. She leads the Sigamos String Quartet, with whom she has recorded several critically acclaimed albums, and she recently co-created the musical score to the hit West End show 'Midnight Tango'. Ros is also a committed teacher, and enjoys working with students of all ages and experience. Her first book in the Globetrotters series, Violin Globetrotters, was published to popular and critical acclaim, receiving the award for Best Education Publication at the 2011 Music Industries Association Awards. Ros has since written Globetrotters books for cello, flute, clarinet, and B flat and E flat saxophones. Several Globetrotters pieces have been included in the ABRSM exam syllabus.

As a collection of works to enthuse aspiring cellists - suitable for beginner to intermediate players - this book ticks all the boxes . . . with a nicely recorded CD performed by an excellent band, which includes guitar, accordion, clainet and percussion. Following the usual format for these books, the pieces appear on the CD with and without the cello, so that they can be used as backing tracks. And it's all such fun . . . Stephen includes a useful section at the back with exercises for each piece, focusing on particular aspects of technique or interpretation. . . There's a tricker cello accompaniment part for each piece too, and the CD includes PDFs of piano accompaniments with guitar symbols. Every bass is covered in this well thought out and worthwhile collection.

• Dublin Time (jig, Ireland) ; Stoppin' off in Louisiana (Cajun, USA) ; Relaxing in Rio (bossa nova, Brazil) ; Dancing in Odessa (klezmer, Eastern Europe) ; Shanghai Rickshaw Ride (pentatonic, China) ; Cairo Cradle Song (Arabic lullaby, Egypt) ; Acropolis Dance (rebetico, Greece) ; Tango in San Telmo (tango, Argentina) ; Iguazu Rapids (chamame, Argentina) ; 'Hole in my Shoe' Blues (blues, USA) ; Transylvanian Dance (Romania) ; African Jamboree (West Africa)