The Water Is Wide: Piano Sheet

Name: The Water Is Wide: Piano Sheet
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-2491
Price: 3.50 USD
Availability: InStock

Arranged by Lynn Freeman Olson

Level: Early Intermediate

Item: 00-2491

$3.50

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One of the British Isles' most beautiful songs is arranged here in D Major and G Major, with nicely filled-out harmonies and a wide use of the keyboard. In the first verse, there is a nice alternating of the hands, as the right hand sings the melody, and the left hand answers in broken chords. In the G Major 2nd verse, the accompaniment is block 2nd inversion chords, first by the left hand while the right hand plays melody, then a switch to left hand melody with chords on top. The entire piece is legato and very expressive dynamically. A Federation Festivals 2016-2020 selection. A Federation Festivals 2020-2024 selection.

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Series: Signature Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 4

UPC: 038081038469

SKU: 00-2491

More about this title

About the Arranger: Lynn Freeman Olson

Lynn Freeman Olson is a composer and arranger whose pedagogical instincts have made her work a staple in piano studios and festivals for decades. Her arrangements balance musical substance with technical accessibility, never sacrificing artistic integrity for simplicity.

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Why we love this

This arrangement proves that early intermediate pianists don't need simplified versions of art songs. The hand alternation in the D Major section and the textural variety between verses give students genuine musical problems to solve, while the legato phrasing and dynamic shaping make the folk melody itself the focus. It's earned festival recognition twice over.

What to expect

The melody unfolds with the quiet dignity of a centuries-old song, while the harmonies give it warmth and harmonic color it never had as a bare folk tune. There's a conversational quality in the first verse, followed by a fuller, more reflective statement in the second. Throughout, the piece invites lyrical, singing playing rather than technical display.

Who it's for

Early intermediate pianists ready to explore arrangement as an art form, not just a simplification. This works well for students preparing for festival play or recital programming who want a piece with genuine folk authenticity and emotional depth.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the melody-answer dialogue in the first verse carefully; the left hand broken chords should support rather than compete with the right hand melody.
Shape the legato phrasing across the longer lines rather than lifting between measures; this is folk song, not étude work.
Differentiate the two verses texturally: let the D Major hand alternation feel conversational, then bring weight and resonance to the G Major block chords.
Control the dynamic expression without pushing the tempo; early intermediate players often accelerate when increasing volume.

How to use it

Program this alongside other British or Celtic art songs for a thematic recital, or pair it with other Olson arrangements from the Signature Series to showcase the range of folk material. It also works beautifully as a bridge piece in a festival program between more challenging contemporary works and lighter character pieces.