Applause!, Book 2: Piano Book

Opening these pages is like being handed a backstage pass to the pieces that have captivated audiences for generations. Each work carries weight and intention; you're not learning exercises or simplified versions, but rather the real thing that demands and rewards serious musicianship.

Late intermediate and early advanced pianists seeking substantial solo repertoire that combines technical growth with genuine musical satisfaction. This book serves both students pursuing serious study and those who want concert-ready pieces that connect with listeners.

• Listen to Valery Lloyd-Watts' accompanying recordings to internalize the pacing and voicing choices of each piece before diving into your own interpretation.
• Map out the dynamic arc of each work before you begin detailed practice; these crowd pleasers live or die by their theatrical shape.
• Identify passages that lie awkwardly under the hand and isolate them early; masterworks often require technical precision that a surface-level approach will miss.
• Record yourself periodically and listen back with fresh ears; repertoire at this level rewards critical listening to your own sound production.

Program individual selections from this collection as recital staples or studio showcase pieces throughout the year. The 80-page format allows you to build a varied recital by combining works from different compositional periods and styles, creating contrast that keeps both performer and audience engaged.

• Balancing technical demands with musical phrasing across extended forms
• Interpreting expressive markings and period-appropriate articulation
• Developing pedal control and voicing clarity in complex textures
• Building confidence with substantial, performance-ready repertoire