Exploring Piano Classics Repertoire, Level 2: Piano Book & CD

The pairing of repertoire with recorded interpretations by an internationally respected pianist gives students immediate access to authentic musical models. The grading reflects festival and competition standards from multiple countries, so you know each piece has been vetted for appropriateness at this level. The historical context woven throughout transforms a collection of pieces into a coherent exploration of how piano music evolved across style periods.

The book traces the evolution from baroque clarity through classical wit and romantic color, offering students a sense of how piano music developed as a form. Each piece balances technical opportunity with accessible musicality, so students experience genuine mastery rather than struggle. The inclusion of lesser-known composers alongside familiar names reveals the richness available beyond the standard repertoire.

This collection serves late elementary and early intermediate pianists who are ready to explore pieces beyond method book contexts while building stylistic awareness. Teachers seeking graded repertoire that reflects current festival and examination standards will find a reliable resource that connects technical growth to musical literature. Students preparing for competitions or recitals at this level will encounter carefully selected pieces that challenge technique while remaining musically engaging.

• Listen carefully to Nancy Bachus's recordings before assigning pieces. Notice her approach to phrasing, articulation, and the particular character of each style period; these interpretations serve as a reference point for your own teaching.
• Correlate daily practice with the Technique book to ensure technical preparation matches the demands of each repertoire piece. When a student meets a particular fingering challenge or baroque ornament in the Technique book, they'll understand its musical purpose when they encounter it in a piece.
• Use the style period backgrounds provided in the book to help students shape appropriate interpretation. A minuet by de Seixas sounds fundamentally different from a dance by Bartók, and understanding the genre and era clarifies how to voice and articulate each one.

Assign pieces from this collection as students advance through your teaching year, using the style progression to deepen their historical literacy. Feature repertoire selections in student recitals or lesson showcases, where the breadth of styles and the professional recordings provide context that elevates the entire performance. Pair specific pieces with units on style periods in group classes or studio theory sessions.

• Reading and interpreting baroque ornaments (trills, mordents, grace notes)
• Understanding meter and dance forms (minuets, quadrilles, tarantellas)
• Recognizing stylistic differences in articulation and voicing across baroque, classical, and romantic periods
• Building independence between hands through pieces that require separate technical demands in each part
• Applying historically informed interpretation through listening and analysis