Piano Solo - Level 4 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.499760

Composed by S. G. Potts. 20th Century,Contemporary,Romantic Period,Standards. Score. 18 pages. S. G. Potts #3512109. Published by S. G. Potts (A0.499760).

The Raymond Variations for Piano (Set 1),  received its world premiere on 2nd December 2015 at the 1901 Arts Club London,  performed by Lorraine Womack-Banning as part of a memorial tribute concert to  her late husband Raymond Banning (former professor of pianoforte at Trinity  College London).

The Variations  are based on the three Andantino themes which form a central part of the ‘Raymond  Overture’ written in 1851 by French composer Ambroise Thomas: 1811-1896. There are nine piano variations in total; these include a  mix of both full and short partial variations (including a very short  declamatory two chord introductory variation). The variations are not numbered  or set-apart in a conventional manner, rather they form part of a continuous  whole, and are separated only by bridge passages and/or cadence points; they last  a little under eight minutes in duration, and strongly exploit the passionate  elements of Thomas’s themes. They have been written for the most part in an  accessible tonal style (with a passing nod to Messrs. Beethoven and J.S. Bach) and  are based predominately in the home key of D minor, but they do also take  advantage of many 20th and 21st century harmonic techniques where deemed appropriate: e.g. added note chords; cluster chords; percussive chords, and melodic  deflection. In particular, the interval of the major 7th and its enharmonic  equivalent(s) (the most distinctive interval in the main andantino theme from   the overture) is heard in various different guises throughout the variations:  this includes its inversion the minor 2nd which has a very distinctive sharp  dissonant quality. Much play is made of these intervals – to somewhat humorous  effect in variation 8 (the joker in the pack) heard some three quarters into  the set, here the dissonant interval is pounded out double forte before hastily  leading into some boisterous cluster harmonic instability; then quietly begins  variation 9 which duly brings the set to a close. Look out for the sting in the tail!

Piano Solo - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.819482

Composed by Sara Garrard. Instructional,Standards. Score. 40 pages. Sara Garrard #6188657. Published by Sara Garrard (A0.819482).

30 short pieces for solo piano -- 30 pictures, 30 moments, 30 moods.

Music for a while shall all your cares beguile.

Styles referenced here vary from Baroque to Romantic and beyond, with nods to favourite VGM soundtracks and more recent composers.

Difficulty level: there are several more straightforward pieces, and a few challenges. The short length of all the pieces should help make them at least achievable challenges, appropriate for learners.

This book is supplied with optional black and white or colour cover for printing.  It would make a good gift for pianists of various levels, or a gift for yourself.

The primary listener or audience is the player.

Album available for listening/download: https://sonatina-3.bandcamp.com/album/piano-for-a-day

Contents:

1 Early Winter

2 Sparkling

3 The Singing Wood

4 Garden Seat

5 Night Song

6 Romanze

7 Arabesque

8 Tree Root Music

9 In The Night

10 Memory

11 November Polonaise

12 Sleepy Cloud Dragon

13 Sleepy Mushroom

14 Dream Journey

15 Snowstorm

16 Reflections

17 Swing Song

18 Andantino

19 Blue Garden

20 Sarabande

21 Stones

22 Andante in Jade

23 River Flow

24 Drops

25 Berceuse

26 Waterways

27 Whispers

28 Over the Bridge

29 Quiet Town

30 King of simple graces

Piano Solo - Level 4 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1011535

Composed by Leon Gray. 20th Century,Contemporary. Score. 7 pages. Leon Gray #3419229. Published by Leon Gray (A0.1011535).

No. 7 of the Tombola and Dice collection, this 4-5 reflective and often still piano solo offers a chance for meditation and clarity, then a bold display of outward emotion, before receding back to a quiet timelessness.  

With his Tombola and Dice collection, Leon Gray has written original music using chords, forms, structures, tempo and styles based on the roll of a die and numbers from a tombola. This leads to pieces crafted with a renewed attention to detail; each piece especially focussing on some aspect of melody, texture, counterpoint, dynamics or rhythm in a contemporary, but very approachable way.

Perfect for any performance occasion where new music is listened to with interest, without being too burdensome for a performer to master.