Romance This work
needs much preparation in the development of balance
between both hands. The accompaniment of the left
hand should be played as a whisper throughout
the entire opening section. Measures 1-24 are
providing a quiet atmosphere in preparation of
the middle section which begins in meas. 25. Measures
25-58 should be taught in four measure groupings,
the student needs to work towards the goal of
increasing the intensity of each phrase dynamically
until the music finds it’s resolution in measures
55-58. The work ends as delicately as it began
with the restatement of the first theme dying
away to the final resolution of c minor.
Serenade Sostenuto
is the key word here. The study is designed to
develop the student’s ability to play a melodic
line and broken chordal accompaniment simultaneously
with the right hand. The left hand serves to give
the foundation of the simple harmonic changes,
but the right hand is where most of the student’s
early focus should be as they develop an understanding
of the rise and fall of the phrase structure.
The sixteenth notes in the right hand need to
use much rubato as they naturally accelerate
and slow down as the melody dictates.
Farewell to Ireland This work
is an example of thematic development
of a melody with a unifying rhythm stated throughout
the entire piece. The piu mosso section
uses the same rhythmic phrase from the opening
section as it leads to a dramatic resolution
in measure 52. Have the student trace the rhythmic
motive throughout the entire piece to begin a
dialogue of
possible ways to add variety to each statement
of the opening theme. The final section should
be approached in a contemplative manner with a
lingering feeling of nostalgia as the melody draws
to an end in the codetta in meas. 69.
The Emerald Sea This work
marked Andante cantabile is an etude
with the left hand doubling the right hand melody
throughout the first section. Rubato
is required to add depth to the rising and falling
theme throughout the section. The middle section
is a sharp contrast to the opening section with
the secondary theme being stated in grouping of
six note patterns. Students need to strive to
have the left hand follow the right hand patterns
consistently in this section, but always having
the left hand playing at a softer dynamic level.
The rise and fall of the phrases will define
the structure of this section and clean pedal
changes are vital to mark the beginning and ending
of each four measure phrase. [Listen
to a sample]
Romance
