Essential Keyboard Repertoire, Volume 2: Piano Book & CD

This volume strikes a genuine balance between expanding technical demands and opening doors to a much wider emotional and stylistic world. Newman's curation reflects her deep knowledge of what works at this level: pieces substantial enough to challenge advancing students without overwhelming them, and selections spanning Baroque through Modern that feel genuinely representative rather than tokenistic.

Moving through this book feels like discovering that the piano's possibilities are far richer than you realized. Each period brings a different voice: the architectural clarity of Baroque counterpoint, the proportioned elegance of Classical forms, the emotional reach of Romantic melody, and the harmonic daring of modern approaches. The progression from Volume 1 builds naturally, offering complexity without pretension.

Advancing intermediate pianists ready for more substantial repertoire and wider stylistic range. This collection serves students who have moved beyond beginner method books and are beginning to explore the standard keyboard literature, as well as teachers seeking a single, well-curated source for assigning pieces across multiple periods without shopping several collections.

• Work through the included CD recordings before practicing unfamiliar pieces. Hearing stylistically informed interpretations of Baroque counterpoint, Classical forms, and Romantic textures builds your internal reference points faster than score study alone.
• Tackle pieces from different periods in rotation rather than chronologically. Moving between a Bach invention and a 20th-century selection keeps your ear flexible and prevents the repertoire from feeling like a historical march.
• Pay close attention to articulation and pedal markings in pieces from the Baroque and early Classical sections. Many students at this level default to modern sustain pedal technique, which obscures the clarity these works require.
• Use the 144-page scope strategically. Choose 2-3 pieces to prepare thoroughly for recitals rather than rushing through the entire book, allowing yourself time to internalize phrasing and interpretive choices.

Draw repertoire for a full-year studio curriculum, pulling pieces from different periods for each month's lesson assignments and recitals. The CD allows students to hear informed performances before their first lessons, accelerating their grasp of style-appropriate interpretation. The breadth also makes this ideal for students preparing for music theory exams or auditions where exposure to diverse periods strengthens their overall musicianship.

• Reading and performing Baroque counterpoint with clarity and voice independence
• Understanding Classical phrase structure and harmonic function
• Interpreting Romantic rubato and pedal technique
• Navigating modern and contemporary harmonic language
• Style-appropriate articulation and touch across four centuries of keyboard music
• Building interpretive independence by engaging with unedited original scores