Piano Compositions
If you are a pianist, then you already know that there is a vast array of literature at your disposal, from Baroque keyboard music originally composed for harpsichord to modern compositions. Most people have their favorite genres or style periods, however it can be very rewarding to expand into other areas and learn new styles. This versatility is necessary in many competitions and auditions. Even if you are just playing piano for fun, not to compete, expanding into new areas will allow you do discover new areas of interest you may not have considered before.
Baroque music is actually the closest analog from the past we have of modern jazz. Soloists were expected to improvise their own ornamentation during the performance and audiences would be displeased if the ornamentation was the same from performance to performance. Music from this period lends the pianist a great amount of artistic freedom within a set framework. Some great composers from this period included Scarlatti, Telemann, Platti, Giustini, Vivaldi, and of course, Bach.
Classical piano music is more formally stable than Baroque music. The general framework for sonata and concerto forms are solidified, though composers still worked outside of them to a degree. The music is less about the virtuosity and ability for the soloist to improvise and more about playing with tonal and formal expectations. Classical music is very plentiful. Some composers include Clementi, Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven, though in many ways he also fits into the Romantic period.
The Romantic era brought about a focus on sweeping melodies with colorful harmonies to support them. Classical form expanded hugely to the point that it was often unrecognizable. Traditional tonality was challenged by chromatic voice leading, modulations to unexpected keys and melodies informing harmonies instead of the other way around. Composers of the romantic era include Brahms, Chopin, Grieg, Kuhlau, Mendelssohn, Mussorgsky, Schubert, Schumann, Tchaikovsky and many others.
Occupying the same time period as many 20th century composers are the impressionists. These composers used compositional techniques derived from exposure to Jazz and other music in order to create an image in music. The music is characterized with syncopation and parallel chords. Debussy and Ravel were the main composers of impressionist music.
The 20th Century brought about much compositional change. Some composers removed themselves completely from tonality while others kept tonal ideas but also incorporated contemporary musical ideas. The range in style between Schoenberg’s atonal music and Prokofiev’s Neo-Classical compositions is huge and much can be gained from studying all segments of this time period. Some notable composers are Bartok, Gershwin, Khachaturian, Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich, and Stravinsky.
Jazz and ragtime music can be extremely fun to play. If you are interested in this, explore the compositions of Scott Joplin, Joseph Lamb, James Scott, Duke Ellington, and Thelonious Monk. This music is stylized in ways completely different than the above composers. Syncopation is used heavily and, in jazz, notes are often swung. Improvisation is highly valued in jazz idioms.
If your piano literature is limited to only a few genres, consider trying some music from one of these areas which you usually don’t choose or haven’t tried before. You may find that it’s not for you, however you may also find a new genre that you love. Expand your repertoire and challenge yourself by learning and mastering music which is new to you. You will be glad you did.
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