Canon in D - Piano Solo: Piano Solo

Sharon Aaronson's arrangements capture what makes these pieces endure: recognizable melodies paired with pianistic writing that sits comfortably under intermediate and early advanced hands. The collection balances warhorses like Clair de lune and Moonlight Sonata with less obvious choices (A Day in the Life of a Fool, The Entertainer), giving students repertoire that sounds substantial without requiring virtuosic technique.

Opening this book reveals a panorama of musical moods: the meditative grace of Clair de lune, the syncopated swing of Take Five, the theatrical warmth of On the Street Where You Live, and the unmistakable architecture of Canon in D. Each arrangement respects its source while remaining distinctly pianistic, offering fingerings and voicings that feel natural rather than transcribed.

This collection serves intermediate to early advanced pianists preparing for festivals, recitals, or simply building a contemporary solo repertoire that spans classical, jazz, and musical theater idioms. Students appreciate having multiple genres and eras within one volume, while teachers value the consistent arrangement quality and the way selections accommodate both technical development and genuine musical growth.

• Approach Pachelbel's Canon and other Baroque material by maintaining clarity in the voice leading rather than blurring harmonies; even at a moderate tempo, listen for how each melodic line moves independently within the texture.
• In the jazz and popular song arrangements, use the middle pedal (sostenuto) selectively to sustain harmonic color without muddying rhythmic definition, particularly when accompanying material sits close to the melody.
• Balance accompaniment texture with melodic prominence by adjusting dynamics within chord shapes; allow inner voices to provide harmonic foundation rather than competing with the main line.
• Record yourself playing through the collection in sections to identify which arrangements demand more practice; some pieces benefit from slowed practice that emphasizes even touch and articulation rather than tempo.

Build a recital that moves across genres by drawing from different sections of the collection, or select pieces that share a thematic throughline (arrangements of beloved melodies, for example). Many pieces work as elegant opening or closing numbers for student concerts; Canon in D in particular serves as an excellent bridge between classical and contemporary programming.

• Baroque voice leading and harmonic progression (Canon in D, Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring)
• Jazz voicings and rhythmic flexibility (And All That Jazz, Take Five, Fascinating Rhythm)
• Lyrical legato playing and pedal control (Clair de lune, Moonlight Sonata)
• Characterization across contrasting musical styles and genres
• Score reading across 132 pages of varied arrangement conventions