Sea Pieces, Opus 55: Piano Book

Name: Sea Pieces, Opus 55: Piano Book
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-K03650
Price: 8.95 USD
Availability: InStock

By Edward MacDowell

Item: 00-K03650

$8.95

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A collection of piano solos composed by Edward MacDowell.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Sea Pieces, Opus 55: Piano Book comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Kalmus Edition

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 24

ISBN10: 0-7579-1545-0

ISBN13: 978-0-7579-1545-1

UPC: 029156637441

SKU: 00-K03650

More about this title

About the Composer: Edward MacDowell

Edward MacDowell (1860-1908) was the first major American composer to achieve international recognition, bridging European Romantic traditions with distinctly American musical sensibilities. He studied in Europe under teachers including Carl Heymann and Raff, then returned to establish himself as both a virtuoso pianist and prolific composer, ultimately serving as director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York.

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Why we love this

Sea Pieces captures MacDowell's gift for translating natural imagery into intimate piano writing that rewards both performer and listener. These character pieces balance technical accessibility with genuine artistic depth, making them ideal for pianists developing interpretive maturity without requiring advanced virtuosity.

What to expect

Lyrical and introspective, with an undercurrent of natural observation that feels deeply personal. The collection evokes the movement of water, shifting light, and quiet contemplation, inviting performers to find poetry in harmonic warmth and melodic grace rather than virtuosic display.

Who it's for

Intermediate to early-advanced pianists seeking repertoire that develops musical maturity and expressive depth. Teachers building recital programs that include significant American Romantic literature will find these pieces substantial enough to anchor a student's cultural and historical understanding of the genre.

How to get the most out of it

Shape each piece as a unified arc rather than a sequence of technical moments; MacDowell's lyrical voice depends on sustained musical phrasing across full phrases.
Attend to the textural layering between melody and accompaniment; these pieces often feature singing upper voices supported by carefully crafted harmonic foundations that deserve clarity.
Explore the pedal as an essential voice-builder, using it to blend harmonic colors and enhance the water-inspired atmosphere without obscuring articulation.
Balance the Romantic rubato with structural stability; MacDowell's forms are clearer than they initially appear, and subtle tempo flexibility serves the music best when the underlying pulse remains secure.

How to use it

Program these pieces in a recital celebrating American Romanticism alongside works by Griffes or Barber, or use individual movements as intermission pieces for larger concert events. They also serve well as teaching repertoire for pianists transitioning from basic Romantic forms to more sophisticated harmonic language.