Michael Scott's Best: Piano Book

Scott's instinct for accessible, singable melodies paired with modern harmonic language makes these pieces genuinely rewarding to play rather than feel like exercises. The three-section structure gives you immediate flexibility: grab a classical arrangement for a contemporary recital, pull a Christmas piece for December programming, or feature an original composition that sounds far more sophisticated than intermediate difficulty suggests.

Calm and introspective, with moments of gentle uplift. Scott's new age aesthetic emphasizes emotional accessibility over virtuosity, creating piano writing that feels contemplative and present rather than showy or dense.

Intermediate pianists seeking an engaging collection that balances original compositions with recognizable material. Studio teachers will find this valuable for students who want substantive repertoire without excessive technical demand, and for recitals where you need variety across multiple pieces in a single sitting.

• Pay attention to the sustain pedal markings throughout. New age piano writing relies on pedal resonance to create texture; lifting and engaging at the marked points will reveal the harmonic color Scott intends.
• Approach the popular classical arrangements as interpretive opportunities rather than note-perfect transcriptions. These pieces invite personal rubato and dynamic shaping that intermediate players can explore without technical barriers getting in the way.
• For the Christmas arrangements, resist the urge to rush. Many new age pieces benefit from a slightly spacious tempo that lets the harmonies breathe and the listener absorb each phrase.

This collection works well for student recitals where you want intermediate players to program multiple pieces without overwhelming preparation time. The Christmas section is obvious for December concerts, but the classical arrangements also fit nicely into a mixed-repertoire concert that includes Baroque and Romantic standards alongside contemporary writing.

• Pedal control and awareness of harmonic resonance in modern tonal contexts
• Rubato and expressive phrasing within accessible technical ranges
• Interpretation of contemporary harmonic language grounded in tonal centers
• Sustained dynamic control and tone production over longer phrases