From Laufey's 2025 album A Matter of Time, a piano-driven ballad that builds to a dramatic finish. Correlates with Alfred's Basic Piano Library, Level 3.
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Laufey is an Icelandic pianist and composer known for blending jazz influences with contemporary pop sensibilities. Her work emphasizes melodic storytelling and sophisticated harmonic language, making her compositions appealing to both classical and popular music audiences.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures the introspective quality of Laufey's original while respecting the technical constraints of Grade 3 pianists. The piece rewards careful attention to dynamics and phrasing, giving intermediate students a contemporary repertoire choice that sounds more sophisticated than its technical demands suggest.
What to expect
Reflective yet restless, the piece creates tension through its restraint before finally releasing into a dramatic climax. The piano writing feels almost conversational at first, then gradually insists on being heard.
Who it's for
Intermediate pianists ready to explore contemporary composition with jazz undertones. This works well for students who respond to modern repertoire and want to develop musical maturity beyond traditional classical etudes.
How to get the most out of it
Shape the opening phrases with subtle dynamic shaping rather than sudden changes; let the melody breathe naturally as it unfolds
Build intensity gradually through the piece by deepening your sound in the lower register without rushing the tempo
Balance the left hand accompaniment so it supports rather than overwhelms the melodic line in the right hand
How to use it
Perfect for a student recital focused on 21st-century repertoire, or pair it with other pop-influenced classical arrangements to show students how contemporary songwriting translates to the concert stage. It works especially well when programming younger or newer pianists alongside more traditional Grade 3 selections.
Skills your students will build
Dynamic control and long-phrase phrasing in a contemporary context
Voice independence between hands with jazz-influenced harmonic accompaniment
Building and sustaining tension through gradual intensity rather than sudden changes
Pedal technique to create resonance without muddying harmonic transitions
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