Encore

Clocks by Joanne Griffiths has a contemporary feel with echoes of Philip Glass. Control, balance and concentration will be needed to maintain the 2 against 3 cross rhythms. Ideal for intermediates of all ages!

Portrait No. 6: Apeñas Amigos is an Intermediate to Late Intermediate work- paying tribute to Brazilian composer Egberto Gismonti, and it combines elements of both Classical and Jazz idioms. A hauntingly lyrical melody plays throughout the beginning and end of the work, while students will also be exploring various angular sequences as well. Teachers will enjoy this work for its lush harmonic content, perpetual rhythmic drive, as well as teaching various articulations and how to handle various tempi.  Intertwined within this work is a brief section of frenetic chaos, as well as a jovial (and dissonant) left-hand melody, which is sure to give students a real workout!

Portrait No.3 A Treasured Moment, is a late intermediate solo composed by Travis Lohmann, which pays homage to the Impressionistic colors of French composer Claude Debussy. A contemplative beginning with resonant and sonorous chords is a fantastic way to get students thinking about touch and tone color when performing. The increasingly more energetic middle section allows students to become more dexterous with rapid arpeggiated extended chords, as well as the evocative colors of the whole tone scale. The piece concludes with a distant call-back to the original main theme with jazz-influenced harmonies before having a triumphant send off of lush chords reminiscent of bells tolling far away.

Portrait No.2, Spirited Castle is a late intermediate solo composed in the likes of Joe Hisaishi. Students will enjoy the bright and upbeat jazz waltz feel, soaring melody, as well as exploring scintillating quartal harmonies in left hand accompaniment. This piece is perfect for openers or dramatic finishes at recitals, festival solos, and more!

Portrait No.1, Definitive Road, is a solo composed in the harmonic and melodic tendencies of Thomas Newman. Students will enjoy exploring the mysterious yet emotional chord qualities of this piece, as well as the variations of the melodic theme. This mid-intermediate to advanced level solo by Travis Lohmann is perfect for recital programming, preludes, and more.

“Picking Marigolds” is a composition written by Travis Lohmann. It explores the use of contemporary harmonies, alternating meters, as well as chordal extensions. While still providing a simple and flowing melody, it is taken through a variety of transformations both harmonic and melodic. Students and teachers alike will enjoy picking apart the musical sequences scattered throughout the piece, as well as the overwhelming sense of serenity this piece brings. Definitely could be used as an interlude for a recital program, or even for social gatherings.

Wistful Waters is a late-intermediate to early-advanced piano work composed by Travis Lohmann. It merges together minimalistic styles as well as elements of French Impressionism, while still focusing on lyrical phrasing and robust melodies. It is a wonderful work with a shimmering beginning, a vigorously emotional middle, and a tempestuous ending. Students will absolutely be enraptured by the ending cadenza. Teachers will enjoy instructing students on various techniques such as: hand-crossing, polyrhythms, rhythmic evenness, and even tremolo!

Picking Daisies, composed by Travis Lohmann, is a light-hearted and jovial jazz-influenced waltz appropriate for mid-intermediate to advanced pianists, and focuses on such concepts as: cantabile legato lines, syncopated rhythms, dynamic expressivity, left and right hand leaps, triplet passage work and rolled chords. Best suited as a showcase solo, the highlight of this piece is the written-out solo over the chord changes, sure to dazzle the audience. With dexterous phrases, catchy melodic segments, and infectious rhythms, this piece is certain to brighten your day and those nearby!

Picking Lilacs, composed by Travis Lohmann, features light influences of jazz, as well as lyrically phrased melodies. Best suited for mid to late-intermediate pianists, this composition can work both as a contemplative opener for a concert, as well as middle interlude between selections. The light-hearted tone of this piece, as well as its whimsical nature is sure to be a perfect performance piece for any concert.

Are you a wedding pianist? Look no further! This lyrical arrangement of the wedding recessional will be your new go-to favorite! This arrangement by Jennifer Eklund is ideal for late intermediates and up.

Chopin’s iconic Nocturne in F Minor, Op. 55, No. 1, remixed in a modern lyrical spin by Jennifer Eklund. This mild and mellow version, includes all sections of the original piece, is ideal for late intermediate and advanced level pianists.

Beethoven’s iconic Moonlight Sonata in a modern lyrical spin arranged by Jennifer Eklund. This mild and mellow version is ideal for advanced level pianists.

A modern lyrical spin on the third movement of the Spring concerto from Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” arranged by Jennifer Eklund. This advanced piano solo provides ample opportunity to work on interpretation, rubato, and lyrical artistry.

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!

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!

Sonatine, composed by Rick Robertson is an advanced showcase solo. It is in one movement, in a sonatina form. Its sweeping gestures and heartfelt melodies will certainly add style to any recital program. It is also suitable for festival or competition use.

Longing is a beautifully expressive lyrical piano solo by Canadian composer, Lisa Frederick. Emotional and sentimental, this is an ideal performance piece for late-intermediate and advanced students of any age! Audio and video performance by Cherith Alexander.

Outburst! is an unpredictable, turbulent, fast and flashy advanced showcase piano solo by Canadian composer, Lisa Frederick. The twists and turns will have audiences on the edge of their seats!

Kensington Suite, composed by Barbara Becker, is a three-movement set of character pieces for late intermediate pianists that spans a variety of genres and will showcase the artistic skills of developing artists.

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.

A substantial and captivating descriptive piano work by Jenny Walker depicting an Irish stream from its small pure beginning high in the hills gaining volume and depth as it torrents through the forest. A reel interrupts the flow as the water dances over rocks and echoes of the stream are heard as it is swallowed up by the ocean. Winner of the European Piano Composers Competition, 2014.

To the Sea, composed by Jenny Walker, is an evocative tone poem for piano solo, depicting morning mist, sea life (birds, crabs, seals), and gannets leading us to the majesty of the open sea. A beautiful piece for all maturing pianists of all ages at the late-intermediate level and beyond.

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.

Easy on the ears and downright fun to play, Toccata Breve by Paul Sweet packs catchy melodies, interesting harmonies, and showy passagework into a solo both teachers and students will love!