Favorite Classics for Piano, Volume 3: Piano Book & CD

Schultz has curated a collection that respects the harmonic and melodic integrity of each work while making them genuinely playable for pianists still building technical facility. The recorded accompaniment allows students to experience these pieces in a fuller orchestral context, which deepens their understanding of how the piano part sits within the original composition. This is repertoire that matters, arranged with intelligence and care.

Opening this book is stepping into the emotional heart of the Romantic era and beyond. These pieces range from the hushed introspection of Clair de Lune to the brilliant pageantry of the March of the Toreadors, each one offering a distinct landscape to explore and inhabit musically.

Late intermediate and early advanced pianists ready to engage with genuine masterworks in accessible form. This collection suits students preparing for recitals, working through a graded curriculum, or simply seeking to expand their repertoire with pieces that have endured for good reason.

• Balance the melody line against any accompaniment figures; these arrangements often distribute the musical interest across both hands in ways that differ from the original orchestration, so clarity of line becomes essential.
• Use the recorded accompaniment strategically during learning to hear yourself in context, but also spend time playing without it to build independence and secure your own tempo and phrasing.
• Approach the dynamic markings as carefully as you would in a classical sonata; these pieces reward subtle shaping and control rather than broad contrasts.

Feature individual pieces from the collection in solo recitals or studio showcases, pairing them with contemporary or Baroque works to create meaningful contrast. The diversity of styles and moods makes selections from this volume useful for student performances throughout the school year.

• Pedal control and sustain in legato passages
• Voicing and balance in two-hand texture writing
• Interpretation of dynamic and expressive markings in the Romantic idiom
• Sight-reading confidence with varied key signatures and technical figurations
• Listening and synchronization with recorded accompaniment