Imprints: Piano Book

Goldston writes with genuine understanding of what early intermediate pianists can execute and what will hold their attention. The nine solos balance accessibility with harmonic sophistication; none of them feel like stepping stones, and each one stands on its own artistic merit. This collection gives students music worth playing, not just exercises dressed up as pieces.

These nine solos create a range of impressions, from introspective and dreamy to energetic and playful. Goldston's use of accessible patterns paired with unexpected harmonic turns keeps the ear engaged, making each piece feel fresh and surprising without ever becoming frustrating to play.

Early intermediate pianists who are ready to move beyond safe, conventional repertoire but need pieces that don't exceed their technical reach. Students preparing for recitals, festivals, or simply exploring a wider range of contemporary piano literature will find genuine artistic satisfaction here.

• Attend to the harmonic colors Goldston creates through these unconventional chord movements. Even at an early intermediate level, the ears of both performer and listener can register how fresh these progressions feel compared to more traditional writing.
• Let the variety of styles across the nine pieces inform your interpretation choices. Moving between contrasting moods requires you to shed one character completely before stepping into the next, which sharpens your musical flexibility.
• Use the accessible technical patterns as permission to focus on phrase shaping and dynamics rather than mechanics. When the fingers can move comfortably, you have mental space to shape the emotional arc Goldston intends.

Select two or three contrasting solos to create a cohesive recital set that showcases range without overwhelming a young performer. The variety of moods and styles also makes this collection ideal for studio recitals where you want each student to find pieces that match their developing musical personality.

• Reading and executing contemporary harmonic language in a comfortable technical range
• Shaping musical phrases with varied dynamics and touch across multiple contrasting pieces
• Sustaining focused interpretation in shorter forms that demand clarity and character
• Exploring emotional range within accessible technical demands