With These Hands: Piano CD

Hearing Alexander's own interpretations of his compositions reveals the musical intentions behind each piece in a way that scores alone cannot convey. Seven of these works were written as tributes to his son Darren, infusing the collection with genuine emotional depth that students recognize instantly. This CD serves as both a listening resource and a masterclass in how to shape early advanced repertoire with clarity, sensitivity, and purpose.

This collection moves between intimate reflection and spirited energy. Some pieces glow with nocturnal quietness and contemplative depth, while others sparkle with technical brilliance and playful character. The tributes to Alexander's son carry a tender gravity without sentimentality, inviting performers to connect with genuine emotion rather than surface beauty.

Intermediate advanced pianists seeking recordings of the repertoire they're learning, who benefit from hearing professional interpretations that clarify musical intent and demonstrate mature pedaling and phrasing. Teachers and studio instructors can use this album to model interpretive choices and repertoire character for their students. Teens and adults exploring piano as a means of emotional expression will find pieces that speak directly to their search for meaningful, personal voice at the keyboard.

• Listen to Alexander's recording before learning a piece to internalize the phrasing and tempo choices, then use the score to build your own interpretation rather than copying it exactly.
• Pay attention to how Alexander handles the single-hand pieces (Arioso for right hand alone, Elegy for left hand alone, Peaceful Hearts for right hand alone) to understand how to create harmonic and melodic completeness within technical limitations.
• Notice the rubato and pedal choices in the nocturnes (Mountain Nocturne, Topaz Nocturne) and use them as a model for bringing out color and depth in sustain pedal work.
• Study the recorded versions of technically demanding pieces like Toccata Brillante and Turbulence! to hear how Alexander maintains clarity and energy without sacrificing musicality at tempo.

Assign this recording as a listening resource in a studio setting alongside scores to help students internalize interpretation and pacing before public performance. Program individual pieces from this collection in student recitals or studio concerts, using Alexander's renderings as touchstones for what accomplished early advanced playing sounds like. In a classroom or group lesson setting, play selections as models of clarity and style across different musical moods and technical challenges.

• Interpreting rubato and tempo flexibility in solo repertoire
• Balancing harmonic color through intelligent pedal use
• Managing single-hand accompaniment textures (Arioso, Elegy, Peaceful Hearts)
• Sustaining cantabile lines across varied ranges and hand positions
• Building technical security in toccatas and spirited character pieces without sacrificing musicality