Souvenirs

Sun Suite, by Canadian composer Lisa Frederick, is a set of three contemporary lyrical solos celebrating the beauty of the sun at different points of the day. This set is ideal for intermediates of all ages and will function well as a set or as separate showcase solos.

Something More is an uplifting contemporary lyrical solo for intermediates by British composer Joanne Griffiths.

Hope, composed by Rick Robertson, is a lyrical solo for intermediates with a mature sound. It is a “song without words” in a loose rondo form. It is suitable for recitals and worship services.

Peaceful Slumber, composed by Jenny Walker, is an elegant lyrical solo for intermediates that serves as an excellent introduction to playing in 5/8 time.

Emerald Gem, composed by Ron Levy, is a meditative solo for intermediates, full of lush harmonies and a haunting melody. Cover photography from Back Bay, Newport Beach by Ron Levy.

Brand New Day is a collection of twelve elegant intermediate and late-intermediate contemporary solos by Ryan Chesser. This go-to songbook will appeal to both amateur and professional pianists with works that will suit a variety of occasions and settings.

Spring Has Sprung, composed by Jennifer Eklund, is an elegant contemporary lyrical solo for intermediates and up.

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

Beethoven’s iconic Moonlight Sonata in a modern lyrical spin arranged by Jennifer Eklund. This mild and mellow version, transposed to the key of D minor, is ideal for intermediate level pianists.

This book presents strategies for learning to play polyrhythms, from the most common ones, such as two against three, up through four against five. It contains rhythm exercises, improvisation suggestions, and thirteen pieces based on polyrhythms. Once you’ve worked with the book, you might develop intense cravings for more polyrhythms, and may even be inspired to compose polyrhythmic pieces of your own.

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!

A Cold Winter’s Night is an elegant lyrical showcase solo that is part of Lisa Frederick’s In the Groove songbook. This piece well-suited for intermediates of all ages.

Lamentations is suite of solos composed by Joanne Griffiths for intermediate players to explore time signature changes, comparisons between simple and compound time, minimalism, and mostly how to express mood and emotion. Breathe is a peaceful, calming minimalist piece pushing the boundaries of 3/4 time and crossing it with more than a suggestion of 6/8. For Carolyn is an uplifting piece with lilting, contrasting themes, in Rondo form. Finally, Sorrow is an expression of grief, with a “bell tolling” theme throughout. It is also minimalist, centered around A minor and changing from 3 to 4 beats in the bar and covering several octaves of the piano.

Drifting, composed by Lisa Shoemaker, is a moody, minor-key meandering piece that provides intermediates ample opportunity to develop smooth, flowing left hand triplet patterns, as well as gain experience with the una corda pedal.

Be Yourself is a contemporary lyrical solo by Lisa Donovan Lukas. This uplifting selection is ideal for intermediates of all ages.

Vanished is a haunting, minor key, contemporary lyrical piano solo for intermediates. Music by Jennifer Eklund and part of the New Horizons songbook.

Fading into Twilight is a mysterious, minor key, contemporary lyrical solo that will be a hit with intermediates of all ages. Part of the Dreamweaver songbook. This piece has been selected for the NFMC Festivals Bulletin, 2020-2024.

Chopin’s iconic Nocturne in F Minor, Op. 55, No. 1, remixed in a modern lyrical spin by Jennifer Eklund. This mild and mellow abridged version is ideal for intermediate level pianists.