Meet the Great Composers: Repertoire, Book 2: Piano Book

Hinson and Montgomery have chosen pieces that feel genuinely worth learning, not filler. Each arrangement opens a window into a major composer's style without overwhelming the intermediate player, making this book an ideal bridge between early repertoire and the standard recital canon. The original compositions mixed in alongside familiar pieces keep students engaged and curious.

This book strikes a balance between accessibility and substance. You encounter the fingerprints of major composers, their characteristic harmonic language and melodic shapes, without fighting overwhelming technical obstacles. The pieces invite genuine musical interpretation while remaining within reach.

Intermediate and late-intermediate piano students who have moved beyond early repertoire but are not yet ready for unabridged concert works. Teachers building a recital program around masterworks at an appropriate technical level will find reliable, musically mature pieces here. Students who want exposure to multiple great composers in a single book will value the breadth and the quality of these selections.

• Shape each piece with clear phrase architecture. Even in shorter arrangements, identify the strongest melodic moments and build toward them rather than playing through mechanically.
• Listen closely to how each composer handles cadences and phrase endings. These arrangements retain the original harmonic language, so honoring those moments of resolution or surprise pays off musically.
• Balance melody and accompaniment according to the texture. Some pieces feature transparent accompaniment patterns that should stay light; others give the left hand substantial material that deserves voice.
• Reference the original compositions when possible. Hearing how the full work sounds helps you understand the context of what you're playing and informs interpretation choices.

Use individual pieces as recital repertoire throughout the year, building a concert program around the composers represented in the book. Include selections in studio recitals or student competitions where intermediate players need repertoire that sounds mature and substantial. The variety of composers and styles makes this collection ideal for sampling across the classical, romantic, and contemporary periods in a single semester.

• Recognition of compositional style and technique across different musical periods
• Interpretation of original harmonic language and phrase structure
• Balance and independence between hands in varied textures
• Secure performance of late-intermediate technical figures at moderate tempo