88 Piano Classics for Beginners

David Dutkanicz

• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Year: 2013
• ISBN:
  9780486262895
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Classical Music

Beginning pianists of all ages will cherish this excellent compilation of classics. Each piece was carefully selected and simplified to help students develop their skills. Many of the greatest composers—J. S. Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Rimsky-Korsakov, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, and others—are represented by several pieces each, some newly adapted for the piano. Composers and works not usually featured in beginner's books include pieces by Borodin, Gluck, Rameau, and Tallis.
Well-known classics include Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, Debussy's Claire de Lune, Moussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, Satie's Gymnopedie No. 1, Schumann's Child Falling Asleep, and `Spring` from Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Several orchestral pieces have been newly adapted for the piano, including `Dance of the Swan` from Swan Lake, `Elephant` from Carnival of the Animals, `Largo` from Xerxes, and `Waltz of the Flowers` from The Nutcracker.

Carl Philip Emmanuel Bach
1714–1788

Solfegietto

Carl Philipp Emanuel was the son of the monumental Johann Sebastian Bach. He and his other brothers—Johann Christian, Wilhelm Friedemann, and Johann Christoph Friedrich—all inherited their father’s wonderful talent and were musically famous in their own right. In this work, be mindful of the dialogue between the two hands, and use the “borrowed” fingerings (written above the left hand) to ease some passages.

Moderato

Johann Sebastian Bach
1685–1750

Arioso in G

An arioso is a short piece, usually found in a cantata, where a story is sung by a solo singer. Keep the slow Largo tempo consistent, and try to shape the phrases as a singer would.

Largo

Johann Sebastian Bach
1685–1750

Affetuoso from Brandenburg Concerto No. 5

Bach composed six magnificent concertos for the Prince of Brandenburg. This melody is the opening of the second movement of the fifth. It is marked as affetuoso, meaning “affectionate.”

Moderato

Johann Sebastian Bach
1685–1750

Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 (opening)

This excerpt from the Brandenburg Concertos opens with a dialogue between the right and left hand. Keep the tempo steady so that the melody is uninterrupted. Also, use the left thumb on the repeated Ds to ease the right hand.

Moderato

Johann Sebastian Bach
1685–1750

Menuet from Anna Magdalena’s Notebook

This charming piece was found in a notebook of music Bach had written for his wife, Anna Magdalena. Some of the pieces were for teaching, but most were small gifts. Keep the mood merry and light.

Andante

Johann Sebastian Bach
1685–1750

Invention in A Minor

Just like the other Inventions, this one was written to instruct new pupils. Here, Bach presents a challenging arpeggio workout. The music should flow evenly, helped by smoothness in the wrist and fingers.

Moderato

Johann Sebastian Bach
1685–1750

Wachet Auf (“Sleepers Awake”)

This wonderful melody is taken from a church, and translates into “Sleepers Awake.” Keep a firm hold on the tempo – don’t let the dips in melody slow you down. For the full effect, use dynamics to contrast different moods.

Calm and Steady

Ludwig van Beethoven
(1770–1827)

Symphony No. 3 (theme)

Symphony No. 3 is nicknamed the “Eroica.” It was written to honor “heroes” and was originally dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte. Play the melody in a crisp manner, as if it were a military march.

Allegretto

Ludwig van Beethoven
(1770–1827)

Adagio Cantabile from Sonata No. 8

This famous piece is the opening to the second movement of the Piano Sonata No. 8, which is also kno...