Three Pieces for the Young Pianist

(1) SHADOW RIDGE RAG - A spirited dance with infectious syncopation and some charming harmonic surprises.
(2) THE RIVER - An elegant new setting of a lovely English folk song.
(3) FLASH and DASH - A showy, extroverted piece filled with energy and unexpected glissandi.

Program Notes

As a young composition student at the Curtis Institute of Music, my teacher, Gian Carlo Menotti, suggested that I write some music for children. He believed that, when writing for children, a composer would soon discover what was true and honest and what was shallow artifice. I was soon to discover that he was right. One of my first published works was a children’s ballet entitled The Enchanted Lake. In 1966, I published my first series of piano pieces for children, A Lexicon of Beasties. They were dedicated to my daughters. I now have a 12-year-old son. It seemed fitting that I now write some pieces for him. He plays and enjoys these. It is my hope that they will give pleasure to many others.

(1) SHADOW RIDGE RAG - A spirited dance with infectious syncopation and some charming harmonic surprises.

(2) THE RIVER - An elegant new setting of a lovely English folk song.

(3) FLASH and DASH - A showy, extroverted piece filled with energy and unexpected glissandi.

Grade Level: 2
Copyright: 2013
Number of Players: 1
Duration: 4:30
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Category: Solo Works

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Instrumentation

Solo Piano