Something Wicked This Way Strides

Something Wicked This Way Strides is an exuberant, late intermediate solo that evokes the Roaring Twenties. Pianists will not only train their left hand to play typical stride leaps, they’ll also learn a few tricky bits of Chopin’s <em>Etude in A Minor, Op. 10, No. 2</em>, while they’re at it!

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.

Beethoven’s familiar two-note theme is used throughout this evenly-leveled piano duet by Dolce Dolls team Marcia Benson and Heidi Hansen in unexpected ways. This showcase piece is ideal for early intermediates and up.

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.

Under the Big Top is a fast and flashy, circus-themed showcase duet for advanced level pianists by Canadian composer Lisa Frederick.

Three Prayers consists of three short engaging movements for 2 pianos, 8 hands, by Lisa Donovan Lukas. This is a melodic, contemporary showcase piece for late intermediate students. Ideal for teens as well as students of all ages who enjoy playing duets and ensemble pieces at group lessons and recitals.

Long Road Home is an intermediate level lyrical duet ideal for students of all ages. Music composed by Jennifer Eklund.

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

Nice Little Monster is a bluesy piece by Stacy Fahrion about a creature that is tired of being called a little monster. Ideal for intermediates of all ages.

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.

Double Crossed composed by Chrissy Ricker is a minor-key evenly-leveled duet for early intermediates. This is an extended version with a run time just over two minutes, making it a perfect selection for ensemble performances.

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.

Knock, Knock, Knock! is an evenly-leveled duet for late-beginners by Chrissy Ricker. This piece is sneaky, jazzy fun for all ages! This piece has been selected for the NFMC Festivals Bulletin, 2020-2024.

En Garde!, composed by Chrissy Ricker, is a minor-key evenly-leveled showcase duet for intermediates. This piece is part of the Let’s Quest Volume 4 songbook.

Lullabies for Arachnophobes by Stacy Fahrion is a whimsically macabre collection written in homage of spindly spiders of all shapes and sizes. Rife with quirky rhythms, harmonies, and re-spindled versions of spidery classics, this collection will delight advanced players of all ages.

Dark to Light is a fast and flashy evenly-leveled duet for two early intermediates. Music by Jennifer Eklund.

Composer Stacy Fahrion transforms Three Blind Mice, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and a snippet of Rain, Rain, Go Away into a mystical minor showpiece.

Barrelhouse Blues is an evenly-leveled, boogie-woogie style piano duet by Canadian composer Lisa Frederick. This joyful romp is ideal for intermediates of all ages and is sure to be full-time fun at your next recital!