Chicagoland: Piano Duet Suite (1 Piano, 4 Hands) Book

$7.99 USD

Chicagoland: Piano Duet Suite (1 Piano, 4 Hands) Book

Name: Chicagoland: Piano Duet Suite (1 Piano, 4 Hands) Book
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-44662
Price: 7.99 USD
Availability: InStock

By Robert D. Vandall

Level: Intermediate

Item: 00-44662

$7.99

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Chicagoland is a duet suite commissioned by the Salt Creek Music Teachers Association for it's Music of Robert Vandall Festival, 2015. The suite contains two movements, with primo and secondo parts leveled equally. "The Windy City" is fast, rhythmic and jazzy, depicting the famous weather of the city and the rich cultural heritage. "Salt Creek Scherzo" is playful and energetic, in 6/8 meter, with abundant staccatos. "Salt Creek Scherzo" is a Federation Festivals 2016-2020 selection. A Federation Festivals 2020-2024 selection.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Chicagoland: Piano Duet Suite (1 Piano, 4 Hands) Book comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Duet Recital Suite Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 24

ISBN10: 1-4706-2712-4

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-2712-6

UPC: 038081507132

SKU: 00-44662

More about this title

About the Composer: Robert D. Vandall

Robert D. Vandall is a prolific composer and arranger whose work spans keyboard repertoire from elementary through advanced levels. His pieces consistently balance technical clarity with genuine musical substance, making him a trusted voice in music education for decades.

Vandall has a gift for capturing specific places and moods through uncomplicated but expressive writing. His duet suites, in particular, are designed so both players engage equally with the musical material, avoiding the imbalance that plagues many four-hand works.

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Why we love this

Vandall has written the primo and secondo parts with genuine equality, a rarity in duet literature. Both players get rhythmic drive, melodic moments, and textural interest throughout. The two movements offer contrasting characters and moods within a single, unified suite, giving you programming flexibility while keeping rehearsal focused on one cohesive work.

What to expect

"The Windy City" captures Chicago's bustling, jazz-inflected energy with driving rhythms and a breezy, slightly syncopated character. "Salt Creek Scherzo" is lighter and more playful, bouncing along in 6/8 with crisp articulation and an almost mischievous spirit.

Who it's for

Intermediate piano students preparing for recitals or festival performances, particularly those ready to step beyond simple duets into more rhythmically sophisticated writing. Pairs of students at similar levels will find both parts equally rewarding and challenging.

How to get the most out of it

Establish the groove first in "The Windy City" by locking the rhythmic foundation before layering the jazzy articulations. The opening needs to feel tight and propulsive.
Balance the staccatos in "Salt Creek Scherzo" so they spring without becoming choppy. This 6/8 meter thrives on a lilting bounce rather than rigid separation.
Practice the hand-crossing or close-position passages separately at each keyboard before combining them. Intermediate players often tense up when their hands share limited space.
Let the primo and secondo players rehearse alone first to solidify individual parts. Their parts are equally active, so neither should treat their role as secondary accompaniment.

How to use it

Program this suite as a standalone duet recital feature, or use it as an intermission bridge between larger works on a multi-composer concert. The two contrasting movements work equally well as consecutive pieces in a student festival appearance.