The 20th Century – Elementary Level

The 20th Century series presents music by some of the greatest composers of the modern era, composers who wrote a full range of music for orchestra, voices, piano and chamber ensembles, in the great and large forms. But they also valued music education, and composed interesting music to foster a stdent pianist’s progress. The pieces by these composers lead a student not only to technical proficiency, but also to become a more fully formed, imaginative musician. When a great talent turns attention to writing a short piece of limited difficulty level for students, it is approached with the same aesthetics, temperament, tastes and creative invention applied when composing a symphony, opera or concerto. These exquisite miniatures are complete works of timeless art. Through them a master musician of the past indirectly teaches a progressing musician of the present and the future.

Contents: Bartk: Peasant Song from Ten Easy Pieces selections from The First Term at the Piano: Stepping Stones, Invention I, Parallel Lines, Legato and Staccato, Dialogue I, Dialogue II, Dialogue III, Follow the Leader, Short and Long Legato Kabalevsky: selectionsfrom 24 Pieces for Children, Op. 39: Melody, Polka, Rambling, Cradle Song, Playing, Funny Event, Song, A Little Dance, Scherzo selections from 35 Easy Pieces, Op. 89: First Piece, First Etude, Quiet Song, At Recess, First Waltz, Light and Shadow, Little Hedgehog, Playful One, Trumpet and Echo, Evening Song, Skipping Rope, Trumpet and Drum Shostakovich: selections from Children’s Notebook for Piano, Op. 69: March, Waltz.

Schirmer Performance Editions feature composer biographies, historical notes, and practice and performance tips.