Solo Xtreme, Book 5: Piano Book

Bober writes intermediate repertoire that genuinely respects what students can handle while refusing to settle for easy answers. These pieces demand real technical growth—hand crossing, pedal sophistication, large intervallic leaps—yet each one tells a story musically, so students aren't grinding through technique drills; they're performing.

Adventure and sophistication. One moment you're exploring the rhythmic energy of a boogie bass line; the next you're painting impressionistic colors with the pedal or sweeping across the keyboard in search of something grand. The collection balances playful energy ("Rags to Riches") with lyrical introspection ("Starry Night"), so no two pieces feel alike.

Intermediate to late intermediate pianists preparing for recitals or solo competitions. These students are ready to expand beyond the early intermediate repertoire and want pieces that offer real musical substance alongside technical challenge.

• Explore the pedal as a color tool, not just a sustain button. The intermediate repertoire here uses pedal deliberately to create atmosphere, so spend time listening to how changing the pedal on different harmonies shapes the mood.
• Plan your hand crossings and shifts carefully in advance. Mark the score with finger numbers and landmark notes so the physical navigation feels confident, not accidental.
• Vary your articulation choices intentionally. Bober writes pieces with contrasting sections; crisp staccato in one moment and lyrical legato in another creates the drama these pieces deserve.
• Use dynamics and tempo flexibility to highlight the narrative arc. These pieces have personality and character, so lean into the contrast between sections rather than playing them as one uniform speed.

Feature individual pieces in student recitals to showcase different facets of advancing technique. The nine selections give you flexibility to program shorter pieces alongside longer works, or to build a thematic recital around narrative imagery ("Wonderland of Snow," "Starry Night") that connects musically diverse repertoire.

• Hand crossing and keyboard navigation across multiple octaves
• Pedal application for color, texture, and mood creation
• Playing large chord voicings and wide intervallic leaps
• Articulation variety and clarity within rapid passage work
• Expressive control through dynamic contrast and tempo flexibility