Recuerdos de la Alhambra

In his third installment of the Kaleidoscope series, composer Rick Robertson spins a web of evocative, elegant harmonies encapsulated within thirteen spectacular solos for advancing intermediates. This book contains selections for the NFMC Festivals Bulletin, 2020-2024.

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.

Wistful Waltz, composed by Stacy Fahrion, is a mysterious, Chopin-esque waltz with a very un-Chopin-like modal middle section and an abundance of tritones. Ideal for early advanced level pianists of all ages.

Circle of Friends, by Rick Robertson, is a two-volume collection containing a total of 24 character pieces for piano in each of the major and minor keys (minus enharmonic equivalents), in a manner similar to the Prelude sets by Chopin, Rachmaninoff, and the like. The sequence as published is arranged in a rough order of difficulty, allowing for convenience in page turns here and there.

The title alludes as well to the familiar “Circle of Keys’. As for “friends”, each piece is dedicated to a close friend, colleague, or student. A few pieces in Volume One are at the early intermediate level, while Volume Two is solidly at the intermediate level with a steady trajectory of more demanding musical concepts.

New Beginnings is an upbeat and uplifting contemporary pop-style solo by Canadian composer Lisa Frederick. This selection will delight intermediates of all ages and makes a great recital or festival piece.

Lyric Moments is a collection of thirteen lyrical pieces, composed by Rick Robertson, in different styles to give the performer experience in melodic shaping, tone color, and touch. Styles represented include Romantic lyricism, lush Impressionistic harmony, and even light jazz.

Endearing Irish Charms, arranged by Jennifer Eklund, is a medley of two familiar Irish tunes “Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms" and "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.” This intermediate solo provides ample opportunity to work on interpretation, rubato, and lyrical artistry.

Skye Boat Song, a traditional Scottish classic, arranged in a lyrical style for intermediates by Jennifer Eklund.

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, arranged by Jennifer Eklund, in a contemporary lyrical style for early intermediates. This solo provides ample opportunity to work on interpretation, rubato, and lyrical artistry.

Mambo a la Mozart is a Latin-style remix of Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 arranged as a solo for late intermediates by Jennifer Eklund.

Based on the traditional English folk song and nursery rhyme, “Lavender’s Blue,” this delightful arrangement by Jenny Walker adds unexpected harmonies and key changes. The march-like 4/4 section gives a new, sombre feel which quickly gives way to a brighter, more flamboyant ending.

The Scottish Reivers were gangs of horsemen who raided the towns along the border of England and Scotland from the 13th to the 17th century. They were master riders and were revered across the land. Each year the town of Duns in Scotland has a festival to celebrate the Reivers. This showcase solo for beginners is inspired by my many childhoods dancing in the town’s Market Square waiting to see the riders come through!

Kaleidoscope Volume 2 is an evocative collection of lyrical showcase solos composed by Rick Robertson. These elegant solos will allow advancing early intermediates to work on musicality and expressive playing via works that are stage-ready and appropriate for all age groups.

Bittersweet is a dramatic contemporary lyrical solo composed by Canadian composer Lisa Frederick. This minor-key showcase piece will delight late-intermediates of all ages!

This is a twinkly little whimsical piece in which composer Stacy Fahrion combines Twinkle Twinkle Little Star with Row Row Row Your Boat. This whimsically macabre showcase solo will delight intermediates of all ages!

Blow the Wind Southerly is a traditional folk song from Northumberland, England arranged by Jenny Walker. Another familiar melody, “When the Boat Comes In” is combined with the main theme in the middle of the piece. The work tells the story of a woman desperately hoping for a southerly wind to blow her lover back home over the ocean to her. This is a variation-style piece going through several keys, suitable for the late-intermediate pianists.

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.

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.