A First Book: Piano Book

Name: A First Book: Piano Book
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-K03497
Price: 7.95 USD
Availability: InStock

By Cornelius Gurlitt

Item: 00-K03497

$7.95

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A collection of piano solos composed by Cornelius Gurlitt.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, A First Book: Piano Book comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Kalmus Edition

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 16

ISBN10: 0-7692-4154-9

ISBN13: 978-0-7692-4154-8

UPC: 029156174625

SKU: 00-K03497

More about this title

About the Composer: Cornelius Gurlitt

Cornelius Gurlitt (1820-1901) was a German composer and pedagogue whose prolific output for young pianists shaped music education across Europe and America. His gift for writing accessible yet musically substantive pieces made him an essential figure in piano education during the Romantic era.

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Why we love this

Gurlitt's solos in this collection strike a rare balance: they sound genuine and expressive while remaining within the technical reach of early-intermediate students. These pieces give young pianists real Romantic-era music to perform, not simplified approximations, which means they build confidence through authentic repertoire.

What to expect

These solos embody the intimate character of 19th-century salon music: lyrical, gently expressive, and conversational in scope. They evoke a world of parlor performances and music making for its own sake, inviting pianists to discover personality and color within simple harmonic frameworks.

Who it's for

Early-intermediate piano students ready to engage with genuine Romantic-era repertoire and teachers seeking short, manageable pieces that don't sacrifice musical substance. Students in recital preparation or those building a foundational solo library will find dependable material here.

How to get the most out of it

Shape each phrase with gentle dynamic swells rather than playing at a constant volume; Gurlitt's melodies benefit from subtle breathing.
Attend to the voices in the left hand carefully, especially when supporting harmonic movement; clarity there lifts the entire texture.
Allow rubato in the phrasing without losing structural integrity; romantic sensibility matters, but the form still needs to feel secure.
Experiment with pedal thoughtfully since these pieces span various textures and moods; change it with harmonic changes rather than holding it throughout.

How to use it

Feature individual pieces from this collection on student recitals, in school assemblies, or as opening numbers for longer programs where you want to establish an elegant tone. This book is also ideal for students compiling a personal repertoire during their second or third year of study.