Memory (from Cats): E-Z Play Today

Memory lands perfectly for pianists seeking a Broadway standard with real dramatic weight and manageable technical demands. The E-Z Play Today version preserves the song's emotional arc while keeping the arrangement accessible, making it an ideal choice for students who want to perform a recognizable, sophisticated piece without years of classical training behind them.

Memory evokes longing and quiet introspection, with a melody that unfolds like a confession. The harmonic language shifts subtly beneath the surface, creating emotional depth that builds gradually rather than through obvious crescendos, inviting performers and listeners into an intimate musical space.

Student pianists from intermediate levels upward who want to explore Broadway repertoire, performers preparing audition material, or pianists looking for a song that sounds polished and professional without demanding virtuosic technique. The simplified arrangement makes it accessible to self-taught players while retaining enough musical substance to engage more advanced musicians.

• Shape the opening phrases with gentle rubato; the freedom in the accompaniment matters as much as precision with the melody
• Let the harmonic movement breathe, particularly during the key modulations that deepen the emotional intensity
• Balance accompaniment and voice equally throughout; resist the urge to minimize either one

Include this in a concert featuring Broadway favorites, or pair it with classical ballads to demonstrate how Webber's compositional craft compares to traditional art song. It also works beautifully as a solo interlude between larger ensemble pieces, offering audiences a moment of reflection.

• Playing legato melody with proper hand position and arm weight
• Reading and executing written dynamic shapes and expression marks
• Balancing independent hands through varied accompaniment patterns
• Shaping longer phrase structures with intentional pacing and breath
• Interpreting harmonic movement to inform interpretive choices