Romances, Book 1 Cover Image

Romances, Book 1: Piano Book

$5.50 USD
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Romances, Book 1 Cover Image
Romances, Book 1: Piano Book

Romances, Book 1: Piano Book

By Margaret Goldston

Level: Early Intermediate

Item: 00-6672
$5.50
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Description
Each volume in the Romances series is a collection of original supplementary solos written in a romantic-contemporary style and arranged in progressive order of difficulty. These books are an excellent way for students to develop skills in musical interpretation (Book 1--late elementary/early intermediate, Book 2--early intermediate/intermediate, Book 3--intermediate/late intermediate).

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Additional Details
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 16
UPC: 038081021737
SKU: 00-6672

More about this title

About the Composer: Margaret Goldston

Margaret Goldston

Margaret Goldston (1932-2003) built a distinguished career as a composer, educator, and clinician across North Carolina, where she taught piano students ranging from young beginners to advanced performers. Her formal training in piano performance came from Louisiana State University, where she later earned the School of Music's Alumnus of the Year award in 1991. She pursued advanced composition study privately with Robert Ward, a Pulitzer Prize winner, and received commissions for major publications including Clavier Magazine.

Goldston's contributions to music education were recognized repeatedly throughout her career. The North Carolina Federation of Music Clubs named her Composer of the Year in both 1983 and 1994, and she led masterclasses and workshops across the United States and Canada. Her legacy continues through her published works, which remain frequent selections on NFMC Junior Festivals Bulletin lists and other prominent festival programs. In 2020, MTNA honored her posthumously as a Foundation Fellow.

Why we love this

Goldston writes with genuine understanding of what early intermediate pianists can accomplish musically without overwhelming their technical abilities. The romantic-contemporary style offers students a chance to explore expressive phrasing and interpretive choices within pieces that feel substantial and rewarding to perform, making this collection ideal for building confidence and musicianship alongside technique.

What to expect

These pieces breathe with gentle emotion and contemporary sensibility, offering moments of lyrical melody alongside accessible harmonic language. The romantic style gives them warmth and expressiveness while remaining grounded in the practical realities of early intermediate hand positions and reading skills.

Who it's for

Early intermediate pianists who are ready to move beyond purely technical studies and want to develop interpretive skills. Students preparing for festival competitions, recitals, or simply seeking engaging supplementary solos that feel like real pieces rather than exercises.

How to get the most out of it

  • Pay attention to tempo flexibility within each piece; the romantic style invites subtle rubato and breathing room, but only after establishing a secure pulse first
  • Experiment with dynamic shaping across phrases rather than playing individual notes with equal weight; this collection rewards students who listen to their own sound and adjust for color
  • Balance the accompaniment figures with melodic lines so supporting patterns remain transparent rather than competing for attention

How to use it

Assign pieces from this collection as recital solos for students building confidence in performance, or use them as reading material within lessons to maintain engagement alongside scales and technique work. The progressive ordering allows you to sequence pieces across a full year of study, moving students forward as their interpretive and technical skills develop.

Skills your students will build

  • Phrasing and shaping with dynamic control
  • Expressive interpretation of romantic-contemporary style
  • Pedal technique and its effect on texture
  • Balance between melody and accompaniment
  • Rubato and tempo flexibility within musical context

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