Teddy Bears’ Picnic

The Exquisite Melancholy of Everything Left Unuttered is a delicate waltz in E minor for two composed by Stacy Fahrion.

Itsy Bitsy Tarantula is a slightly more disturbing version of Itsy Bitsy Spider composed by Stacy Fahrion. This piece is ideal for intermediates.

A hair-raising, haunting tarantella by Stacy Fahrion with an abundance of crunchy minor 2nds and a slower, nostalgic middle section.

Spooky Goings On, composed by Jenny Walker is an evenly-leveled duet for two intermediate players. There is no key change, merely the requirement to maintain a slowish, steady beat, provided mainly by the secondo player. Whether it’s ghosts, witches, or spiders that come to mind, this piece will be enjoyed by students and teachers alike.

Recordings for the Whimsy & Wonder songbook by Stacy Fahrion.

This slightly sinister stride duet by Stacy Fahrion incorporates a few simplified snippets of Chopin’s Etude in A Minor, Op. 10, No. 2.

A Minor Mystery is a fast and flashy Latin-style duet for two intermediates that will be a hit at your next recital! Music composed by Jennifer Eklund.

“Arkansas Traveler” and “Turkey in the Straw” make up this fun dance medley. Both songs were written long ago and have survived through the years with many different lyrics adapted for various occasions. This toe-tapping duet is evenly leveled for two intermediates!

Spin My Web is a vexing and spooky, evenly-leveled duet for two late beginners. Composed by Chrisanne Nahum, this student-favorite, remains primarily in 5-finger position as the two parts weave together to spin an intricate web of sound! This piece has been selected for the NFMC Festivals Bulletin, 2020-2024.

Long-Legged Spinners is a whimsically macabre solo composed by Stacy Fahrion. This solo is ideal for intermediates of all ages and is part of the Lullabies for Arachnophobes songbook.

This piece starts out mostly normal, staying close to Stephen Foster’s piece, but then something goes awry and it ends up in the parallel minor. Music by Stacy Fahrion.

Minor Blues for Two by Stacy Fahrion gives the first pianist an opportunity to improvise over a 12-bar blues progression. If played on a grand piano, the pianist can also mute strings inside the piano for an interesting change of tone color.

Wayward Blackbird interweaves Chopin-esque basslines with familiar nursery rhymes This Old Man and Sing a Song of Sixpence in this whimsically macabre showcase solo by Stacy Fahrion.

In the Hall of the Mountain King arranged as a fast and flashy showcase duet for intermediates by Jennifer Eklund.

The Lovelorn Lobster is a song from 1897 with words by Joseph W. Herbert. Stacy Fahrion wrote her own original whimsically macabre music to the poignant lyrics about love between a lobster and a piscatorial maiden going terribly awry. A timeless, classic theme for Valentine’s Day, or any occasion!

To Raise the Wind Horse is a piece for one piano, four hands by Lisa Donovan Lukas, originally premiered at Daniel Pearl World Music Days. A spirited, contemporary showcase piece, this is an ideal performance piece for late intermediate/early advanced students who enjoy playing duets!

Country Gardens is a traditional English folk tune arranged by Sandra Zylstra arranged as a duet for intermediates.

Double Trouble is a book of unique duets by Stacy Fahrion. This book gives pianists opportunities to experiment with blues improvisation and extended techniques. It includes showy pieces in odd meters, several wild boogies, a melancholy lyrical waltz, and, of course, a tarantella that has Itsy Bitsy Spider surreptitiously woven into it. Most of the pieces are based in minor keys, modal, or use the double harmonic major scale.