Grand Favorites for Piano, Book 6: Piano Book

Bober's arrangements respect the melodic bones of these classical and folk standards while crafting accompaniments that feel pianistically natural rather than reduced. Book 6 gives late intermediate pianists real work with the blue-note harmony of the spiritual Choucoune and the rhythmic vitality of the Brahms, yet every piece remains accessible enough for genuine performance success. The collection proves that technical growth and musical satisfaction aren't separate goals.

These arrangements carry the warmth of pieces you already know, enriched by harmonic color and rhythmic subtlety. Performing them feels both historically grounded and personally expressive, whether you're bringing Handel's wit to the Hornpipe or the tenderness that lives inside a folk melody.

Late intermediate pianists ready to tackle classical masterworks and beloved standards without getting lost in technical complexity. Students preparing for recitals, studio showcases, or community performances will find pieces that sound sophisticated and satisfying.

• Balance the melody prominently in pieces like Scarborough Fair and Greensleeves, where the familiarity of the tune tempts pianists to rush. Let the accompaniment breathe beneath the line.
• Shape the waltz rhythm in Blue Danube with a gentle lift on beat two rather than a metronomic pulse; this Bober hallmark creates the lilting quality the title promises.
• Lean into the character contrast between the stately Minuet by Boccherini and the spirited Hornpipe by Handel to show your command of baroque style across a single recital.
• Find the stride and swing in Hungarian Dance No. 5; Bober's arrangement gives you the percussive energy of Brahms's original without overwhelming hand independence demands at this level.

Feature one or two selections from this collection on a mixed recital to anchor a program with repertoire your audience will recognize and treasure. A Hungarian Dance paired with a spiritual like Choucoune creates genuine variety while staying within Book 6, or space these pieces across a season's worth of studio performances to give students regular solo experience at a realistic level.

• Voicing classical accompaniment patterns across both hands
• Shaping legato lines while maintaining harmonic support underneath
• Stylistic interpretation of baroque, romantic, and folk repertoire
• Rhythmic precision in waltz and dance forms
• Pedal control for period-appropriate resonance without muddiness
• Performance stamina through 32 pages of varied yet unified musical writing