Dissonance

Solveig’s Star, is a minor-key medley of Solveig’s Song from Peer Gynt and Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, presented in three different versions for late beginners and up. This piece is part of the Level Up! Twisted Tales songbook by Jennifer Eklund.

Things That Go Pop in the Night, is a spooky spin on “Pop! Goes the Weasel” for late beginners. This piece is part of the Easy Spooktacular Solos songbook by Jennifer Eklund.

Something’s Knocking at the Door is a spooky early intermediate solo appropriate for inducing nightmares or just for Halloween. Music composed by Stacy Fahrion.

Just a little ditty by Stacy Fahrion about zombies shambling on Old MacDonald’s Farm. Ideal for early intermediates and beyond.

Dark Waters, composed by Jennifer Eklund, is a haunting lyrical waltz for early intermediates and up.

Boogie-Man Blues is a jazzy jaunt in A minor composed by Stacy Fahrion. This swinging showcase solo is ideal for intermediates.

Tritone Tarantella is a flashy and dissonant pattern-based tarantella composed by Stacy Fahrion. Ideal for intermediates during Halloween-season or whenever the mood strikes!

Insomniac’s Lullaby is a disturbing lullaby appropriate for Halloween or giving your parents strange nightmares. This whimsically macabre solo, composed by Stacy Fahrion, is ideal for intermediates.

This ethereal piece by Stacy Fahrion quietly subverts the meaning of the famous poem by Lord Byron. Ideal for intermediates of all ages.

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!

This is the first “Whimsically Macabre” composition Stacy Fahrion wrote, back in 2012. It begins with a quote from Chopin’s Winter Wind Etude, then segues into hints of a slightly menacing version of Do You Know the Muffin Man.

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

Above and Beyond is an easy pop-style solo for late beginners of all ages. Music composed by Jennifer Eklund and part of the Spotlight Solos Plus songbook. Also includes a two-page worksheet with improv activity ideas related to the piece!

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.

Three Moods for Piano, composed by Rick Robertson, is an late intermediate level triptych in a percussive twentieth-century style. The outer movements, both crisp and rhythmic (the first in constantly changing meters) flank a short, expressive middle movement. It is very effective in performance, and makes an excellent repertoire choice for a developing pianist.

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.

The Madison 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.

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.

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.

Portrait No.4: The Misadventures of Jay Dubya, composed by Travis Lohmann is an advanced contemporary piano solo, written in the style, and paying tribute to the early cinematic writings of John Williams. An enrapturing adventure fraught with excitement and twists and turns around every corner; this piece allows the student not only to explore the possibilities of 6/8 meter, but also of various polyrhythms, extensive use of passing dissonances, extended harmony, pedal points, and both rubato and bravura. Step lively with this one, for one wrong misstep could literally end up in a misadventure!

Adrift is a pensive lyrical solo full of unique jazz harmonies, but easy enough for beginners and late-beginners. The sophisticated harmonies, and free-floating rubato form using multiple octaves, will make students of all ages feel successful in the early stages of lessons!