Meditative Moments: Violin & Piano Book & CD

Preucil's arrangements strike a rare balance: they honor the integrity of masterworks while making them genuinely playable for intermediate violinists. The collection pairs substantial repertoire (Bach, Handel, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Franck, Grieg, Fauré) with immediate practical value for weddings, memorials, and recitals, so violinists have a ready-made program without sacrificing musical substance. The included CD recording by Cleveland Orchestra concertmaster Jeanne Preucil Rose and Cleveland Institute of Music piano faculty head Kathryn Brown gives students a professional model that makes learning efficient.

These pieces breathe with quiet dignity and gentle lyricism. There's contemplative space in every arrangement; even the more outgoing movements (like selections from Handel and Grieg) feel restrained and thoughtful. The piano writing never overshadows the violin, allowing each melody to rest naturally on the listener's ear.

Intermediate violinists who need reliable, musically substantial pieces for weddings, funerals, and other meaningful occasions. Professional violinists also appreciate this collection for filling last-minute requests with arrangements that sound polished without requiring extensive rehearsal. Violinists preparing recitals will find the variety and emotional depth offer a satisfying program without the technical demands of unedited masterworks.

• Listen to the complete recordings on the included CD before beginning any piece. Notice how Preucil Rose shapes phrase endings and uses silence; these details inform the emotional arc you'll build into your own interpretation.
• Use the recorded accompaniment as a practice partner during rehearsal, but work up your own choices about tempo and rubato first. The piano part is written to support flexible playing without dragging.
• Pay attention to dynamic markings in the arrangements; Preucil has added them strategically to guide intermediate players toward expressive playing without requiring extended technique.
• In pieces designed for solemn occasions, resist the urge to vibrato constantly. Preucil's spare arrangements often have more impact when vibrato is used selectively to color specific phrases.

Build a memorial or wedding service program around these pieces, using 2-3 selections to create a coherent emotional journey without relying on a single composer or era. Alternatively, select individual pieces for student recitals where intermediate violinists need to project maturity and musicianship. The collection also serves well as bridge repertoire for Suzuki students transitioning from method books to concert literature.

• Playing sustained, singing tone in legit melodic contexts
• Balancing vibrato for expressive effect rather than constant decoration
• Managing longer phrases with natural breathing and phrasing
• Collaborating with piano accompaniment that requires rhythmic precision
• Interpreting dynamics and agogic changes that drive emotional interpretation