Original Compositions for Piano
Etude Fantasies (advanced level)
Mostly written in the last few years, my Etude Fantasies are for advanced pianists. They are full of drama and lush harmonies, address particular technical challenges, and have been very popular with students, teachers, and audiences.
Etude Fantasy #1 - It Comes in Waves - focusing on arpeggios, flowing and impressionistic
Etude Fantasy #2 - Five Voices - lyrical and contemplative
This is one of my Etude Fantasies for piano (advanced level). I wrote it for a colleague faculty member at the Colburn School. She asked me to write a piece for a very talented young student that would involve "crashing dissonance". This is what I came up with. It turns out to be a very effective and impressive piece for students, and they really love to play it.
Etude Fantasy #4 - The Sound of Water - Focus on Thumb under motion, lush palette and dramatic.
Etude Fantasy.#5 - Fast Ride in a Short Machine - It focuses on the technical issue of quick repeating notes. Fast and driving, a little bit of a pop feel, fun!
Etude Fantasy #6 - Flight - This is the longest and most challenging of my Etude Fantasies. I drew inspiration from one of my favorite contemporary composers, the great John Adams.
Etudes (Intermediate level)
These Etudes often focus on one or two technical challenges, are full of character, interesting rhythmic and harmonic schemes, and are very popular with students, parents, and audiences.
Etude #1 - Drum and Fanfare - This Etude for late beginner/early intermediate level imitates a drum with a military style rhythm in the left hand and a brass fanfare in the right hand.
Etude #2 - Discovery - Full of interesting and playful rhythms. Inspired by Burgmuller's famous Arabesque.
Etude #3 - Romanze - An Etude for fingers 4 and 5, lyrical character with lush harmonies, very appealing for students and audiences.
Etude #4 - Toccatina - This is one of my most popular intermediate level compositions. Driving rhythms, interesting rhythmic groupings, use of all registers of the keyboard, brilliant character with fun flourishes. Good piece for competitions!
Etude #5 - Adventure - Fun to play and to listen to, a great Etude for Intermediate level pianist. It takes you on an adventure!
Etude #6 - Snow - a fun piece! - nice introduction to changing and asymmetrical time signatures. Inspired by one of my absolute favorite composers, Aaron Copland.
Etude #7 - Toccata - works quick scaler patterns, with brilliant and impressive effect. I even quoted Pachelbel's Canon in the middle section!
Etude #8 - Thirds. Looking for an Etude that works on thirds that's not as hard as Chopin? Here's one. It's lyrical and lush, yet challenging.
Etude #9 - Bells. An intermediate level Etude that focuses on jumping chords while maintaining a lush and romantic character.