Old Deuteronomy (from Cats): E-Z Play Today

Old Deuteronomy carries genuine gravitas. It's a moment of wisdom and reflection in a show full of high-energy chaos, making it musically distinctive from what pianists typically encounter in simplified Broadway collections. The E-Z Play layout lets intermediate students access a piece that demands interpretive maturity without overwhelming them technically.

Dignified and unhurried. Old Deuteronomy is the eldest cat reflecting on his long life, and the music moves with quiet confidence. There's a gentleness here that contrasts sharply with the theatrical excitement surrounding it.

Intermediate pianists looking to expand beyond classical miniatures into Broadway material that carries emotional weight. Piano students preparing for recitals, casual players who love musical theater, and anyone seeking a piece that feels substantial without requiring advanced technical facility.

• Establish a deliberate tempo. This character speaks with authority, so resist the urge to rush. Let silences between phrases breathe.
• Pay attention to dynamic control even in the simplified arrangement. The difference between piano and mezzo-piano creates character.
• Think of the melody as spoken wisdom rather than sung notes. Emphasize phrasing over note-for-note evenness.

This works beautifully as a solo feature in a musical theater recital, where it can provide contrast to brighter, faster Broadway numbers. It also serves as an accessible entry point for piano students exploring Webber's compositional language before tackling more complex arrangements.

• Legato phrasing across longer melodic lines
• Dynamic nuance and control in simplified textures
• Pedal technique for warmth without muddiness
• Tempo stability and rubato application in character pieces
• Text-to-music interpretation (translating theatrical character into piano sound)