A Lovely Mood: Piano
8 Expressive Solos for Intermediate Pianists
By Catherine Rollin
Level: Intermediate
Item: 00-PS-0017710
$3.99
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Description
This collection of intermediate piano solos is perfect for the romantic at heart. All of the pieces are lyrical, expressive, and absolutely beautiful! Titles: Daydream * First Loss * A Heart Takes Flight * Lament * A Lovely Mood * Love Theme * Prairie Love * Simple Pleasures. "Love Theme" is on the ABRSM 2025-2026 Piano Syllabus.
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Sample Audio
1
Daydream
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Daydream
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
24
SKU:
00-PS-0017710
More about this title
About the Composer: Catherine Rollin
Catherine Rollin balances an active performance schedule with mentoring accomplished students, having conducted masterclasses and workshops across the United States, Canada, Japan, and Taiwan. She earned her Bachelor of Musical Arts with distinction from the University of Michigan and completed her master's degree at Oakland University School of Performing Arts. Her compositional work has garnered commissions from Clavier Companion, MTNA, and the Michigan Music Teachers Association, with pieces selected for the National Federation of Music Clubs Festivals Bulletin.
Rollin serves as an adjudicator for national-level competitions, including the MTNA Student Composition Competition and the Lynn Freeman Olson Composition Contest. In 2018, she premiered Suite Detroit (flute, alto saxophone, and piano) as part of MTNA's From the Pen to the Premiere series, and was featured by the Steinway Society in a concert highlighting both her composing and piano performance. Her ASCAP award-winning Museum Masterpieces series demonstrates her distinctive ability to craft accessible yet substantive music for developing musicians.
Why we love this
Rollin's gift for writing singable, emotionally resonant melodies means students stay engaged with pieces that feel genuinely expressive rather than merely technical. The inclusion of 'Love Theme' on the 2025-2026 ABRSM syllabus signals that this collection meets rigorous standards while remaining accessible to intermediate players who need repertoire with real substance.
What to expect
These pieces evoke quiet introspection and romantic sensibility. Melodies float over gentle accompaniments, inviting players to linger in moments of reflection, yearning, and contentment. The writing respects the piano's capacity for both intimacy and warmth.
Who it's for
Intermediate pianists ready to play lyrical repertoire with emotional nuance, plus teachers seeking collection-based programming that builds expressive range without excessive technical demands. This works equally well for studio recitals, student showcases, or individual learning.
How to get the most out of it
- Honor the lyrical quality by thinking of each phrase as a vocal line; this prevents students from playing mechanically through figurations and encourages sustained, singing tone.
- Use the variety of moods across the collection to explore different expressive palettes. Moving between 'Lament' and 'Simple Pleasures' in the same lesson helps students recognize how composers signal emotional shifts.
- Allow time for students to discover the narrative arc within individual pieces rather than rushing to polish them. These works reward slow practice that emphasizes shaping and voicing.
How to use it
Include one or two pieces from this collection on a mixed recital to provide breathing room between more dramatic contemporary works, or feature the entire collection as a thematic program around lyrical expression. Several titles work naturally as encores when you want to leave audiences in a reflective mood.
Skills your students will build
- Phrasing and shaping lyrical melodies without pedal dependency
- Balance between melody and accompaniment across various textures
- Expressive use of dynamics and tempo flexibility to convey emotional content
- Voicing chords for clarity and depth in Romantic-influenced harmonies
- Sustaining musical line through longer passages