Dragon Fly - Piano Solo: Piano Solo

Gillock understood what Chopin's preludes accomplished, a survey of tonality that doubles as a window into Romantic voice-leading and color, and delivered that same architectural vision in his own language. The 24 pieces feel neither derivative nor didactic; they're honest studies that ask students to hear and execute genuine compositional choices.

A guided walk through the Romantic landscape: intimate, lyrical moments sit alongside passages of gentle harmonic surprise. Gillock's writing is always pianistic, never showboating, which lets the warm textures and emotional directness come through.

Intermediate and late-intermediate pianists ready to engage seriously with Romantic idioms without the technical obstacles of the standard repertoire. This collection works equally well for students pursuing music conservatory study and those building well-rounded musicianship in a school setting.

• Map the harmonic movement before diving into tempo; these preludes reward attention to voice leading and chord function, especially in the shifts between keys.
• Sit with the opening of each piece in slow time to locate the emotional core before polishing texture or speed.
• Listen to recordings that pair Gillock alongside the Romantic figures he channels, Chopin, Schumann, Debussy, to hear where he diverges and where he converges.

Select individual preludes for student recitals throughout the year, or program several in sequence on a concert to showcase different Romantic moods and tonalities. The Federation Festivals designation makes this an excellent choice for students preparing for competition.

• Voice leading across hand positions and registers
• Harmonic analysis in major and minor tonalities
• Pedal technique and color through sustain and release
• Interpretive decision-making in music without explicit tempo or dynamic markings
• Recognition of Romantic-era stylistic gestures (rubato, arpeggiation, phrase shaping)