Rubato

Lullaby is a contemporary lyrical solo ideal for intermediates that is part of the Dog Days Songbook. Music by Jennifer Eklund.

Moonlight Sonata arranged thoughtfully for intermediate level students of all ages. This version of Beethoven’s iconic melody, transposed to the key of E minor, is arranged by Jennifer Eklund and also includes music history pages.

Clair de lune, by Claude Debussy, arranged for early intermediate piano by Jennifer Eklund. This version is an ideal starter version for young pianists with smaller hands who want to play all the sections of this iconic piece, but aren’t ready for all the octaves and thick chords from the original.

Gabriel Faure’s iconic Pavane arranged for intermediates by Jennifer Eklund. This is an extended version based on the version from the Piano Pronto: Movement 5 method book.

Ravel’s iconic Pavane pour le infante defunte arranged for intermediates by Jennifer Eklund. Part of the Piano Pronto: Movement 5 method book.

Driftwood Beach, composed by Rick Robertson, is an ambient solo with a mature sound. Long pedal effects add to the atmospheric nature of the piece.

Blessed Assurance, arranged as a lyrical solo for intermediates by Jennifer Eklund. This sacred classic includes a splash of the Brahms Waltz Op. 39, No. 15.

An elegant piano solo interpretation of the first movement of Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto in A Minor (RV. 356). This abridged arrangement by Jennifer Eklund will allow intermediates and up to work on lyrical phrasing, dynamics, and rubato. The approximate run time of this solo is 2:30.

A modern lyrical spin on J.S. Bach’s two-part Invention in A minor arranged by Jennifer Eklund. This intermediate solo provides ample opportunity to work on interpretation, rubato, and lyrical artistry.

Bourree in E minor, BWV 996, an iconic melody by J.S. Bach, arranged in a lyrical style for intermediates by Jennifer Eklund.

Schumann’s Traumerei arranged for intermediates by Jennifer Eklund. This arrangement stays true to the original, but modifies the large stretches. Part of the Piano Pronto: Finale method book.

Chopin’s Prelude in C Minor in a simplified version arranged by Jennifer Eklund that is ideal for pianists with smaller hands not yet ready to play the original. Part of the Piano Pronto: Movement 5 method book.

Raindrop Prelude is an intermediate level arrangement of Chopin’s masterwork. Arranged by Jennifer Eklund and part of the Piano Pronto: Finale method book.

Evening Elegy, composed by Chrissy Ricker, is a lyrical gem with a rhapsodic middle section and plenty of room for students to work on lyrical phrasing and rubato. This intermediate level solo is part of the Rhapsodies and Reveries Volume Two songbook.

The Last Goodbye, is a contemporary spin on Handel’s “Passacaglia” from Suite No. 7. This elegant arrangement by Chrissy Ricker will be enjoyed by intermediates of all ages!

Finding Stillness is a peaceful lyrical solo composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas that will delight intermediates of all ages. This piece is part of the Journeys songbook.

Hopeful Dream is an original piano composition in a very romantic and nostalgic style, composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas. This is a beautiful lyrical showcase piano solo at the intermediate level, and suitable for recitals, weddings, anniversaries, or repertoire where an expressive, melodic piece might be called for.

Nostalgia, by Rick Robertson, is an intermediate level solo in a Neo-Romantic lyrical style. Written in style of a wistful waltz, it makes an excellent repertoire choice for a developing pianist.

Un Souvenir, composed by Rick Robertson, is a left-hand only intermediate solo in a neo-Romantic lyrical style. Besides the benefit as a “pupil saver” for pianists with right-hand injuries, it gives any performer the opportunity to work on balancing melody and accompaniment in the same hand, and use of pedal to tie the texture together. It is very effective in performance, and makes an excellent repertoire choice for a developing pianist.

Nocturne in G Minor, composed by Rick Robertson, is an intermediate-level lyrical solo. It serves well as an introduction to the Romantic period, especially the music of Chopin. There is even a short cadenza-type passage near the end.

February is a syncopated tune in triple meter for intermediate pianists by Sarah Reaser O’Brien, NCTM. A lyrical variation replaces the principle theme in the second half of this minor piece. Students are not required to play a greater span than an octave in the left hand accompaniment, and the perpetual motion of the harmonic rhythm drives the sense of forward motion.

October is an intermediate new age piece by Sarah Reaser O’Brien, NCTM. The constantly moving triplet figures in both hands are meant to evoke the swirling motion of colorful autumn leaves blowing about in the breeze. Rather than centering on a traditional melodic line, October allows students to create a mood or effect by experimenting with dynamic inflection and rubato to vary each performance. Dynamic indications in the score are merely suggestions – performers are meant to make this free-flowing piece their own.

December is a contemplative lyrical intermediate piano solo by Sarah Reaser O’Brien, NCTM. As with all music, imagery or stories may come to mind when performing or hearing the piece. For the composer, it brings to mind a nighttime journey to Bethlehem by a woman great with child and her husband. This hand-friendly piece will delight intermediates of all ages!

The Lily of the Valley, in a peaceful setting for intermediates, arranged by Kevin Costley. This piece is part of the Hymns of Hope songbook.