The Virtuosic Performer, Book 2: Piano Book

Goldston's ear for what captures an audience is unmistakable in this collection. Each piece showcases her gift for writing idiomatic piano writing that sounds far more complex than the level suggests, giving intermediate students the genuine thrill of commanding a stage with virtuosic figurations and propulsive energy. These are works that students actually want to practice because they sound impressive from the first notes.

Energetic and virtuosic, with moments of dramatic flair that reward confident execution. The music sparkles with rapid passagework and bold harmonic gestures, creating pieces that feel urgent and commanding while remaining accessible to emerging advanced players.

Intermediate and late intermediate pianists preparing for recitals, competitions, and festivals who thrive on technically brilliant, contemporary writing. These pieces suit students with solid technique and musical confidence who want repertoire that challenges their fingers and imagination simultaneously.

• Prepare the glissandos gradually by mapping out hand position and direction before adding tempo; these passages anchor the dramatic effect of several pieces in the collection.
• Lock in the staccato patterns with precision and lightness rather than force; crisp articulation makes the fiery sections sing without muddying the texture.
• Build tempo gradually during passages marked with accelerating triads to maintain control and allow the accelerando to feel inevitable rather than rushed.
• Record yourself at a moderate tempo first to internalize the harmonic and rhythmic architecture before pushing toward the marked speeds.

Select individual pieces from this collection for festival or competition schedules throughout the year; the variety of styles and moods allows you to program different works in different seasons without repeating aesthetic ground. Pair these with Romantic or contemporary classics to show your student's range in a recital setting.

• Executing rapid glissando passages with accuracy and musical shape
• Controlling staccato articulation at faster tempos
• Managing accelerating harmonic progressions with rhythmic precision
• Building technical confidence in contemporary idioms
• Balancing virtuosic display with musical intention