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A Portrait of Utah: Piano Sheet

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A Portrait of Utah Cover Image
A Portrait of Utah: Piano Sheet

A Portrait of Utah: Piano Sheet

By Robert D. Vandall

Level: Late Intermediate

Item: 00-40624
$5.50
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Description
A Portrait of Utah paints a musical picture of both the history and the heritage of the state of Utah. Opening with an arrangement of the hymn "Come, Come, Ye Saints," the first movement is a beautiful tribute to the Mormon population. "The Golden Spike," the second movement, depicts the sounds of a train on the trans-continental railway, steadily drawing closer and then chugging away into the distance. "Monument Valley," the third movement, features open fifths and sixths representing the stark sandstone formations in this unique location. "Fresh Powder!" brings the suite to a close with its fast and fun musical runs celebrating the great ski slopes in the state.

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Additional Details
Series: Recital Suite Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
ISBN10: 0-7390-9425-4
ISBN13: 978-0-7390-9425-9
UPC: 038081455242
SKU: 00-40624

More about this title

About the Composer: Robert D. Vandall

Robert D. Vandall is a prolific composer and arranger whose work has shaped music education for decades. His output spans numerous genres and instrumental combinations, but he's particularly valued for writing accessible yet musically substantial pieces that respect student musicians while maintaining artistic integrity.

Why we love this

This suite delivers genuine musical storytelling without resorting to cheap programmatic tricks. Each movement has a distinct character and technical demand, making it rewarding for students who are ready to think beyond note-reading and into interpretation. The regional subject matter gives students something tangible to visualize, which translates into more engaged, expressive playing.

What to expect

A scenic journey through Utah's distinctive landscape and history. The suite moves from quiet reverence to industrial energy to vast, open silence to pure joy, giving the pianist a full emotional palette to explore across four contrasting movements.

Who it's for

Late intermediate pianists ready for a multi-movement recital work that balances technical display with musical substance. This suite works well for students comfortable navigating moderate tempos and rhythmic clarity, who enjoy playing music with narrative or geographical context.

How to get the most out of it

  • The hymn arrangement in the opening movement benefits from a singing tone and careful attention to voice leading. Don't rush the underlying harmonic progressions; let them breathe.
  • Build momentum gradually in "The Golden Spike." The train effect works best when the approaching sections feel genuinely closer and the departure feels genuinely distant, which requires dynamic control and tempo clarity.
  • Emphasize the open harmonic space in "Monument Valley" by resisting the urge to add pedal indiscriminately. The fifths and sixths create their own resonance.
  • Attack "Fresh Powder!" with precision and clarity in the fast passages. Sloppy runs undermine the celebratory energy, so technical accuracy here pays immediate musical dividends.

How to use it

Build an entire recital around state or regional themes by pairing this with other geographical or historical piano works. Alternatively, program "A Portrait of Utah" as a substantial solo work on a mixed recital, where its variety gives you natural momentum across four distinct sections without requiring an intermission.

Skills your students will build

  • Pedal control and awareness of harmonic resonance
  • Dynamic shaping across longer, multi-section phrases
  • Clarity and precision in rapid scalar passages
  • Interpretive choices based on programmatic imagery
  • Voice independence and legit arpeggiation patterns

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