The Ten Pieces, Op. 58 of 1909, are the only music Sibelius wrote for solo piano between the Kyllikki Op. 41 of 1904 and the Three Sonatinas, Op. 67 of 1912. Unfortunately, the Op. 58 is not on the level of inspiration of either of those works, which are acknowledged as being among Sibelius' best for the piano. At a total length of approximately 30 minutes, however, Op. 58 can be seen as one of his more ambitious efforts in the realm of piano music. The prevalence of slow tempos and the adventurousness of the harmonies in parts of Op. 58 serve to remind us that 1909 was the year of two of Sibelius' darker compositions, the string quartet Voces intimae Op. 56 and the orchestral funeral march In Memoriam Op. 59.

One might characterize Op. 58's opening "Reverie" as Sibelius meets Debussy; many of the gestures and harmonies are quite evocative impressionistic. The "Scherzino" (No. 2) is quirky and abrupt. There aren't too many other passages in Sibelius like the lengthy middle section of the "Air varié" (No. 3), with its nearly Bach-like counterpoint and agitated runs up and down the keyboard framed by more gentle music. A rather predictable "The Shepherd" (No. 4) and the peaceful if meandering "The Evening" (No. 5) lead into two works based on contrasts. The aptly titled "Dialogue" (No. 6) alternates a quick, ascending five-note figure with several more flowing ideas. An even more effective use of contrast, however, appears in the "Tempo di menuetto" (No. 7), where a stately, even stolid theme is played against more florid passagework high on the keyboard. The rolling motion in parts of the undistinguished "Fisherman's Song" (No. 8) is vaguely evocative of the movement of water, but the forceful chordal eruptions of No. 9 are not very "Serenade"-like. The set does, however, end on a high note with the moving, hymn-like "Summer's Song."

© All Music Guide