Lament: Piano
8 Expressive Solos for Intermediate Pianists
By Catherine Rollin
Level: Intermediate
Item: 00-PS-0017709
$3.99
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Description
This collection of intermediate piano solos is perfect for the romantic at heart. All of the pieces are lyrical, expressive, and absolutely beautiful! Titles: Daydream * First Loss * A Heart Takes Flight * Lament * A Lovely Mood * Love Theme * Prairie Love * Simple Pleasures. "Love Theme" is on the ABRSM 2025-2026 Piano Syllabus.
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Sample Audio
1
Daydream
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Daydream
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Sample Video
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
24
SKU:
00-PS-0017709
More about this title
About the Composer: Catherine Rollin
Catherine Rollin balances an active performance schedule with mentoring accomplished students, having delivered masterclasses and workshops across the United States, Canada, Japan, and Taiwan. She holds degrees in music from the University of Michigan and Oakland University School of Performing Arts, and her compositions have earned commissions from major organizations including MTNA and the Music Teachers National Association's prestigious "From the Pen to the Premiere" series.
Rollin's work has been recognized by the National Federation of Music Clubs, and she has served as a national judge for significant composition competitions, including the Lynn Freeman Olson Contest. Her multimedia series "Museum Masterpieces" earned an ASCAP award, and she was honored as both composer and pianist in a 2018 Steinway Society concert.
Why we love this
Rollin's gift for writing singable, emotionally direct melodies shines throughout this collection. Each piece stands alone as a complete musical thought without relying on technical flash, making these works genuinely rewarding to teach and perform. The inclusion of "Love Theme" on the ABRSM 2025-2026 syllabus signals both the quality and the durability of these pieces in any serious pianist's repertoire.
What to expect
These pieces live in an intimate emotional space where melody takes precedence and harmony supports rather than complicates. The writing consistently favors accessibility and warmth, creating music that feels confessional and honest without ever becoming precious.
Who it's for
Intermediate pianists developing expressive maturity and comfort with song-like writing. Teachers seeking repertoire that deepens musicality without introducing unnecessary technical barriers will find eight pieces here that each reward sustained practice and careful listening.
How to get the most out of it
- Let the melody breathe by resisting the urge to fill every silence. Rollin's lyricism depends on space between phrases.
- Differentiate between the main voice and accompaniment textures. These pieces often layer a singing line over gentle harmonic support; clarity here makes the emotional arc land.
- Sustain the harmonic color through your pedal choices rather than changing on every chord. Intermediate pianists often under-pedal lyrical music like this.
- Record yourself playing through the collection to hear how the arc of emotion shifts from piece to piece. Listening back reveals opportunities to adjust tempo nuance and dynamic shaping.
How to use it
Weave individual pieces into student recitals throughout the year, or program the entire collection as a themed solo recital that demonstrates range within a coherent emotional palette. The ABRSM-syllabus title works particularly well for students preparing for exams or formal assessments.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining lyrical phrasing over longer musical sentences
- Balancing accompaniment texture with melodic prominence
- Dynamic shaping that serves emotional content rather than technical display
- Pedal control in expressive, romantic-era style writing
- Confidence with moderate key signatures and harmonic progressions