Scenes from the City

Frenzy!, composed by Rick Robertson, is a fast & flashy late intermediate level toccata, with driving rhythms and quartal harmonies. It would make an exciting recital or festival selection.

Mood Swings is an evocative collection of twelve character pieces composed by Jenny Walker. These contemporary solos for late-intermediate and advanced pianists provide a delightful landscape of harmonies and contemporary stylings that span a variety of genres.

Imagination is an elegant lyrical showcase solo for late intermediates composed by British composer Jenny Walker.

With its catchy rhythmic drive and harmonic twists, Tango Twist, composed by Jenny Walker is a joy to play, a pleasure to listen to and a real showcase piece for adventurous students and teachers alike.

Pernicious Pumpkin is a whimsically macabre concoction of nursery rhymes by Stacy Fahrion. This eclectic, minor-key gem will be a hit with teens and intermediates of all ages.

Lyric for Piano is an MTAC Composers Today award winning composition by Lisa Donovan Lukas. This lyrical, contemporary showcase solo, is an ideal performance piece for the advanced student of any age!

Inner Turmoil is a fury-filled, fast and flashy advanced showcase piano solo by Canadian composer, Lisa Frederick. Perfect for teens looking for an impressive spotlight solo for their next performance.

Little Tarantella, composed by Jenny Walker, mimics the Italian style of folk dance that has an upbeat, triple time tempo accompanied by tambourines. This lively solo is ideal for advancing intermediates of all ages.

Paper Airplane by Sara Tomlinson is an expressive and flowing piece at the late intermediate level. Students will find the chromatic scales and left-hand crossovers fun and impressive. Suitable for students for intermediates of all ages.

The Chase is a fast and flashy showcase piano solo that is part of the Dog Days songbook. Music by Jennifer Eklund.

Prelude in E Minor, composed by Rick Robertson, is an intermediate level showcase solo in a neo-Baroque style. It is written in the style of Bach’s organ works as transcribed for piano by Ferruccio Busoni, and would make a good program opener for a developing pianist. Its minor key and somber sound also makes it suitable as a Halloween selection.

This book presents strategies for learning to play polyrhythms, from the most common ones, such as two against three, up through four against five. It contains rhythm exercises, improvisation suggestions, and thirteen pieces based on polyrhythms. Once you’ve worked with the book, you might develop intense cravings for more polyrhythms, and may even be inspired to compose polyrhythmic pieces of your own.

Awkward Waltz is a tender, minor-key anthem for introverts composed by Stacy Fahrion. This contemplative gem will be a hit with teens and intermediates of all ages.

Argument, by Rick Robertson, is an intermediate-level showcase solo. It is the perfect aggressive piece for the angst-ridden player, with polychords and a brief volley of tone clusters.

Disjointed Waltz, composed by Jenny Walker, is an evocative waltz with a few surprises. It contains some dynamic time and key changes. It has been written with the advanced player in mind, though rubato could be used to make things easier. The changeover to 6/8 works well and the syncopated rhythms are very effective.

Seven Sisters is a study in 7/8 time, inspired directly by Etude No.16 by Philip Glass. There are two main motifs that are introduced individually. One low in the bass and the other high in the treble, that are then combined to create some fun crossing the hands back and forth over a driving ostinato based on only two chords. There is plenty of scope for dynamic variation and sensitivity to tonal balance, whilst also playing with energy and imagination.

All aboard the Orient Express! This collection of imaginative and elegant solos, composed by Barbara Becker, will take your early intermediate students on a sonic tour around the world!

Space Waltz, composed by Ron Levy, is a delightful showcase solo for intermediates. This cinematic-style solo will serve as a great performance piece for recitals.