Mona Rejino has established herself as a trusted voice in piano pedagogy, creating works that balance musicality with student accessibility. Her compositions consistently demonstrate how educational repertoire can engage young pianists without sacrificing artistic integrity.
Why we love this
Rejino captures the energy and color of Spanish music through a harmonic palette that feels authentic yet remains within reach for intermediate students. The piece manages to sound sophisticated without demanding excessive technical facility, making it an excellent choice for recitals where you want students performing material that feels genuinely mature.
What to expect
Madrid (Ciudad Fantastico) evokes the vibrant atmosphere of Spain's capital through rhythmic vitality and harmonic color. The music balances lyrical passages with driving accompaniment figures, creating a sense of movement and imaginative exploration that justifies its fantastical subtitle.
Who it's for
This piece suits intermediate pianists ready to explore stylistic writing beyond classical forms. It works equally well for a student seeking repertoire that sounds impressive in recital or for a teacher building a diverse program that includes Spanish musical traditions.
How to get the most out of it
Emphasize the rhythmic drive inherent to Spanish idioms; these gestures should feel propulsive rather than labored, even at moderate tempos.
Attend to the harmonic shifts that create the fantastical quality in the title; slight dynamic shaping at chord changes will illuminate Rejino's voice-leading choices.
Balance melodic clarity against accompaniment texture, since the piece depends on hearing both layers distinctly without one overwhelming the other.
How to use it
Feature this as a solo recital piece that showcases style and personality without requiring the technical demands of Romantic-era showpieces. It pairs naturally with other national or regional character works, or stands alone as a bridge between classical training and the broader spectrum of twentieth century educational writing.
Skills your students will build
Stylistic interpretation of Spanish musical idioms and rhythmic gestures
Voice leading awareness across harmonic progressions
Balancing melodic and accompaniment textures simultaneously
Pedal control for harmonic color without muddiness
Rhythmic independence between hands in dance-like accompaniment patterns
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