Glenda and Carolyn open their session by performing SAMBA SENSATION. This is Glenda's newest duet, which was commissioned by a Phoenix Piano Ensemble. The performance was just last week.
Glenda shared some intermediate pieces by John Thompson that weren't familiar to me or to the people next to me, but are lovely pieces:
Scherzando in G Major by John Thompson... It lies well under fingers
Nocturne by Thompson...
Lofty Peaks by Thompson... Big, crashing chords. It's a bit like Schumann's "An Important Event."
Valse Burlesque by Thompson
Rhapsodie Hongroise by Thompson ... In style of Liszt.
A quote from someone near me: "I would have never dreamt he wrote these." These are not at all like what people usually think of when they hear the name John Thompson.
Elementary level book of pieces by John Thompson:
Forest Dawn...
Captain Kidd... G minor piece, has LH melody, allows kids to play in two flats at an elementary level, which doesn't happen very often in other rep.
Humoresque...6/8, a minor, like a tarantella
Edna Mae Burnam... 1907-2007... Probably best known for A DOZEN A DAY. Willis has published some collections of her other piano works, as well.
Butterfly Time: patterned LH quarters in two note slurs and RH sixteenth note patterns.
Jubilee!... This is coplandesque with open fifths in LH and a faster-moving RH part.
Echoes of Gypsies...big, showy piece with quiet moments, as well. The "vivo" section is like the Rondo Alla Turca.
The Singing Fountain... Has LH singing melody and RH has a repeated arpeggiated figure
Elementary book by Edna Mae Burnam...
Two Birds in a Tree.. Beginner piece that can be played on black or white keys. This could even be taught by rote. Glenda encouraged the teachers to improvise an accompaniment to this piece.
The Clock that Stopped...contrasting touch between legato and portato
The Singing Mermaid...piece with overlapping pedal, calm chord progressions, meditative style
WILLIAM GILLOCK
1917-1993
Grew up in an area near Joplin, MO, where Glenda currently lives.
Spooky Footsteps... Very cute elementary level in D Minor. For my friends in CT, this piece is at approx the level of Primary 2 in the YMF.
Rocking Chair Blues... In 2/4 with triplets and swing feel based on I IV V pattern
Stormy Weather...c minor...triplet rising arpeggios... Kids love this piece.
On a Paris Boulevard
Intermediate to advanced level pieces (CLASSIC PIANO REPERTOIRE)
*** these pieces are WONDERFUL!!!
Festive Piece... Nice intermediate-level piece. D minor, ends with Picardy third.
A Memory of Vienna... Lilting waltz
Valse Étude...this is a show stopper and is one of Glenda's top ten favorites. It has a beautiful middle section that is very lyrical.
Glenda reminded the teachers that if you don't have students who can play these pieces, YOU can play them! This is a great stress-busters, too.
Fountain in the Rain... One of the most famous of Gillock's pieces.
It's now available as a duet, arranged by Glenda Austin. This is late elementary/early intermediate level.
Glenda suggested that people program both the solo and duet version on the same recital.
COMPOSER'S CHOICE books by Glenda Austin and Eric Baumgartner (2 separate books)
Pieces from Glenda's book:
Midnight Caravan... Great fast piece at the intermediate level.
Reverie... Written on three staves..
Tangorific...this was written by Glenda for her teacher, Mrs Holden.
Chromatic Conversation...this piece is a blues that has a conversation between LH bass riff and RH melodic riffs
From Eric's books:
New Orleans Nocturne... Even eighth notes, lots of seventh chords.
Jackrabbit Ramble...
Aretta's Rumble... This was written for his wife, who is a puppeteer.
Beale Street Boogie...swung eighth note boogie pattern in the LH, off beat chords in RH
Carolyn C. Setliff:
Romantic Serenade...cut time, single note melody with arpeggiated figure in LH
Romantic Reflections...opens with big rhapsodic chords, then goes into a music box-like theme
Intermezzo in D Flat Major... Gorgeous tune
New piece:
Chop Suey... Piano solo by Glenda Austin. Early elementary solo.
Flight of Freedom ... Piano solo by Glenda Austin. This was inspired by watching a 24/7 eagle cam online. My note: This is a lot like a Gillock piece in Lyric Preludes, so if you have students who like that one, they will like this.
There is also a series of pieces for the sanctuary, gospel, etc.
Glenda ended the session with a performance of VALSE BELLE, a new composition which she dedicated to me. This was a very moving moment for me to get to hear her perform this piece "live."
Thank you for this! I was across the hall.
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