24 Nocturnes Complete Cover Image

24 Nocturnes Complete: Piano, Collections, Book

$34.95 USD
$34.95 USD
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24 Nocturnes Complete Cover Image
24 Nocturnes Complete: Piano, Collections, Book

24 Nocturnes Complete: Piano, Collections, Book

By Jackson Berkey

Item: 36-J15200
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Description
Night Pieces - Nocturnes - have inspired beauty, romanticism, and deep expression in many composers. The writing of 24 NOCTURNES was an exciting 7-year journey for Jackson Berkey, culminating in September 2014 with his NOCTURNE in C minor. Following a harmonic path similar to Bach, Chopin, and Shostakovich, Berkey traverses the "Circle of Fifths," alternating between 12 major and relative minor keys, with developments often leading him into modes. From an explosion of fireworks to the last smoldering ember, there is a Nocturne for every experience. Many of Berkey's Nocturnes also emulate existing keyboard works from some of his favorite composers of the last four centuries. Whether it be elegant introspection or soaring expressionism, the range of compositional temperament in 24 NOCTURNES is an obvious pianistic challenge offering great rewards in technique, color, energy, and piano resonance in performance. Pre-written program notes for each of the 24 NOCTURNES are included in the collection. Titles: No. 1 in C Major - Remembering Serge Prokofieff; No. 2 in A minor - Heartbeat; No. 3 in G Major - Homage to Claude Debussy; No. 4 in E minor; No. 5 in D Major - Sunny Blues; No. 6 in B minor - Homage to Fryderyk Chopin; No. 7 in A Major; No. 8 in F# minor - Homage to Johann Sebastian Bach; No. 9 in E Major - Homage to Thomas Campion; No. 10 in C# minor; No. 11 in B Major; No. 12 in G# minor - Homage to Sergei Rachmaninoff; No. 13 in F# Major - Homage to Robert Schumann; No. 14 in Eb minor - Mourning the Loss of a Friend; No. 15 in Db Major; No. 16 in Bb minor; No. 17 in Ab Major - Liebeslied ohne Worte; No. 18 in F minor - Remembering Wittgenstein and Ravel; No. 19 in Eb Major - Homage to Emily Dickinson; No. 20 in C minor - Music in the Night; No. 21 in Bb Major - Nobility; No. 22 in G minor; No. 23 in F Major; No. 24 in D minor.

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Additional Details
Series: SDGBerkey - LudwigMasters
Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.
ISBN10: 8-898100-45-0
ISBN13: 979-8-898100-45-2
UPC: 605258918215
SKU: 36-J15200
Instrumentation: Solo Piano

More about this title

About the Composer: Jackson Berkey

Jackson Berkey is a composer whose work spans both classical forms and contemporary expression. His approach to composition draws on the harmonic language of major figures across four centuries, particularly the structural clarity of Bach, the emotional depth of Chopin, and the modernist sensibilities of Shostakovich.

Berkey's commitment to the nocturne form reflects a deep engagement with the genre's potential for intimate storytelling at the keyboard. The seven-year arc of completing his 24 nocturnes demonstrates his dedication to exploring the full spectrum of tonal color and expressive possibility within a self-imposed harmonic system.

Why we love this

Berkey's commitment to harmonic sophistication and structural clarity makes this collection work equally well as a recital program or as individual study pieces. Each nocturne stands alone, yet the Circle of Fifths architecture creates a compelling reason to explore them sequentially, and the inclusion of program notes removes guesswork about interpretive intent. This is serious piano writing that respects both the tradition of the nocturne and the intelligence of the performer.

What to expect

The collection spans emotional territory from introspective calm to energetic virtuosity, moving through the tonal spectrum with architectural elegance. Berkey's writing balances intimate songfulness with coloristic ambition, asking pianists to sculpt both delicate introspection and powerful resonance from the instrument.

Who it's for

Advanced pianists preparing recital programs, students exploring extended tonal harmony, and teachers seeking substantial contemporary piano literature that honors classical tradition. This collection suits performers comfortable with harmonic analysis and pianists ready to develop interpretive independence across a coherent cycle.

How to get the most out of it

  • Explore the harmonic language in each nocturne before learning the notes. Berkey's use of modal interchange and voice leading rewards pianists who understand the underlying structure.
  • Attend to dynamic shaping across longer phrases rather than within individual measures. The nocturne genre thrives on sustained lyricism, not mechanical accent.
  • Experiment with pedal changes at harmonic inflection points rather than on the beat. The varied textures across the collection demand different resonance strategies.
  • Reference the program notes while learning. Berkey's homages and expressive titles guide interpretive choices and prevent generic phrasing.

How to use it

Program individual nocturnes as opening or closing movements in varied recital contexts, or perform a subset of consecutive pieces in the Circle of Fifths to create a thematic arc. The collection's breadth allows you to pair nocturnes with works from different periods, creating dialogue between Berkey's harmonic language and established masterworks.

Skills your students will build

  • Harmonic analysis across major and relative minor keys
  • Voice leading and modal interchange
  • Pedal control for resonance and clarity
  • Extended range of dynamic and tonal colors
  • Interpretive independence from score markings
  • Structural understanding of large-scale tonal relationships

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