Canon in D Plus 12 Masterpieces: Piano Book

Schultz curated this collection with genuine insight into what motivates intermediate pianists. Rather than scattering famous pieces across separate books, he gathered thirteen iconic works into one volume, giving students the satisfaction of building a real repertoire of pieces they actually want to play.

This book offers a tour through some of music's most enduring moments. Pachelbel's serene Canon sits alongside the soaring passion of Puccini; Beethoven's introspective Moonlight Sonata shares pages with Debussy's impressionistic shimmer. It's both a celebration of the repertoire and an invitation to understand why these pieces have survived centuries.

Pianists at the late intermediate to early advanced stage who want to expand their repertoire with repertoire they recognize and love. This collection works equally well for students building confidence through familiar material and for teachers seeking pieces that motivate practice without overwhelming technique.

• Record yourself playing through each piece at a comfortable tempo, then listen back to identify phrases where your tempo wavers. Consistency matters more than speed at this level.
• Study the original composition alongside your transcription when possible. Understanding what Schultz kept and what he simplified will deepen your interpretation.
• Map out the emotional arc of each piece before drilling technical passages. These are music first, finger exercises second.
• Anchor yourself in the melody line when learning a new piece from this book. Most of these works are melody-driven, and letting the tune guide your hands settles the rest naturally into place.

Assign individual pieces from this collection as students reach appropriate levels rather than using the book sequentially. A student preparing for a recital might draw two or three pieces from these thirteen; an intermediate student building technique could work through the entire volume over the course of a year. The range of styles makes it valuable for introducing students to different compositional eras and approaches.

• Sustaining legato lines across hand position changes
• Executing smooth arpeggiation patterns without losing shape
• Balancing melodic contour against harmonic accompaniment
• Controlling dynamic transitions in lyrical passages
• Reading across varied harmonic languages from Baroque to Romantic to Impressionist styles
• Managing left-hand independence in Alberti bass and other accompaniment figures