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Australia Suite: Piano Book

$4.95 USD
$4.95 USD
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Australia Suite Cover Image
Australia Suite: Piano Book

Australia Suite: Piano Book

By Lauren Bernofsky

Item: 98-FJH1218
$4.95
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Description
These artistic pieces will "stretch" players musically while remaining comfortable technically. Contents include: The Great Barrier Reef; Rainbow Lorikeets; Koala Dreams; The Platypus; The Wombat; The Kangaroo; The Tasmanian Devil.

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Additional Details
Series: Composers In Focus
Publisher: The FJH Music Company, Inc.
ISBN10: 1-56939-137-8
ISBN13: 978-1-56-939137-2
UPC: 674398204168
SKU: 98-FJH1218

More about this title

About the Composer: Lauren Bernofsky

Lauren Bernofsky

Lauren Bernofsky is a prolific composer whose catalog spans solo works, chamber music, choral literature, and large-scale compositions for orchestra, ballet, opera, and film. Recognized by conductor Lukas Foss as "a master composer," she has developed a distinctive voice that integrates emotional depth with intellectual rigor, balancing technical innovation with lyrical expression across 21st century compositional practice.

Her works have earned significant recognition, including a National Flute Association award for her Sonatine and the Opera Puppets Award at Boston Metro Opera for Mooch the Magnificent. Her choral piece Prayer of Shantideva won the Dalai Lama Composition Contest and premiered at a prayer service attended by the Dalai Lama himself. Commissions have come from The Del Mar Trio, regional orchestras, ballet companies, and numerous other ensembles. Bernofsky holds degrees from The Hartt School, New England Conservatory, and Boston University, and has taught at the Peabody Institute and Interlochen Center for the Arts.

Why we love this

Bernofsky's suite strikes an uncommon balance: each piece deepens musical maturity through genuine compositional sophistication without imposing technical barriers that would frustrate intermediate players. The animal-themed titles invite imaginative interpretation, but the writing itself rewards attention to voicing, phrasing, and textural variety rather than relying on narrative crutches.

What to expect

Colorful and imaginative without being whimsical. The suite captures the textures and moods of Australian wildlife through a composer's lens, blending impressionistic harmonic language with clear melodic intent. Each piece invites you into a specific place and moment, unfolding with the ease of discovery rather than struggle.

Who it's for

Late intermediate pianists ready to explore contemporary composition that respects their developing musicianship. These pieces work equally well for students preparing for competitions, recitals, or simply wanting to expand beyond standard classical repertoire with music that offers both musical substance and genuine enjoyment.

How to get the most out of it

  • Listen for the character of each piece before diving into technical details; let the musical personality of the Tasmanian Devil or the dreamy quality of Koala Dreams guide your tempo and dynamic choices.
  • Attend to left-hand voicings carefully. These pieces develop sophistication in harmonic support, and clarity in the accompaniment makes the melodic lines sing.
  • Shape phrases through subtle dynamic gradation rather than obvious cresting. Bernofsky's lyrical writing rewards sustained attention to line over dramatic gestures.
  • Explore the harmonic movement in pieces like The Great Barrier Reef for hints about rubato and breathing space; don't rush through harmonic transitions.

How to use it

Build a recital segment around the complete suite, or select individual pieces as anchors in a program exploring contemporary American composers. The suite's thematic coherence and varied character work beautifully as a closing group, or as an intermission palate-cleanser between more demanding repertoire.

Skills your students will build

  • Voice leading and harmonic independence between hands
  • Sustaining lyrical lines while managing accompanimental textures
  • Interpretive choices in contemporary music with clear tonal center but advanced harmony
  • Phrasing and rubato in non-traditional forms
  • Reading and executing artistic expression markings beyond tempo and dynamics

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