Essential Keyboard Repertoire, Vol.4

This collection of 40 piano duets (for one piano, four hands) is appropriate for pianists at the late elementary through intermediate levels. Duet repertoire from the 18th, 19th and early-20th centuries are included by such composers as Brahms, Bruckner, Cui, Diabelli, Foote, Godowsky, Haydn, Moscheles, Mozart, Ravel, Schubert, Spindler, Stravinsky, Trk and more. To facilitate reading, the primo and secondo parts are on separate pages. Essential ornamentation is realized in footnotes, both parts contain measure numbers for convenient reference and brief composer biographies are included.

Volume 4 K.156-205-Italian composer Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757) is well-known for his Keyboard compositions. His 555 Keyboard Sonatas remain ever popular to this day and it is for this reason that this fourth volume is indispensable to performers of the genre. Originally composed for the Harpsichord Organ or early Pianoforte the Sonatas display the riveting use of discords and unconventional modulations to remote keys. It is also thought that much of Scarlatti's Keyboard music contains influences of Iberian music considering that he spent much of his working life in the service of the Spanish and Portuguese royal families.The fourth volume comprising Sonatas 156-205 includes the popular and recognisable Sonata in C major (K. 159). Bearing in mind that Domenico Scarlatti was a highly competent and popular Keyboard player in his day so much so that he was employed in the service of two royal families his Sonatas are composed with much experience understanding and expertise creating an essential addition to the repertoire of all Keyboard players of the Baroque genre.

With Performance Strategies-In Recital Throughout The Year is a series that focuses on fabulous repertoire with musically engaging pieces by leading FJH composers and arrangers. This series of books is carefully levelled to ensure that goals are attainable which is essential in motivating students. Providing excellent teaching material these books address the strengths and weaknesses of students with progressive discussions by Dr. Helen Marlais on the art of performance and an analysis of performance strategies.The pieces presented in these books provide repertoire for the entire year including pieces for Halloween and Christmas as well as arrangements of famous classicalthemes with original solos and duets.The accompanying CD includes demonstrations of the pieces presented in this book allowing the student to develop their interpretive skills.Volume Two Book 1 is suitable for Early Elementary pianists and covers many basic principles including:Basic notes such as quarter half dotted half and whole notes3/4 and 4/4 time signaturesUse of 8va signs and therefore practicing moving up and down the keyboardUse of the pedal to create a larger soundPlaying with both a detached and a smooth touchUnderstanding of basic musical terminology such as forte piano and repeat signsPieces which use the middle C position as well as other basic hand positionsUse of basic keys C D F and A minor (with accidentals instead of key signatures).