With These Hands: Piano Book

Alexander's gift for writing accessible yet emotionally mature pieces shows itself fully here. These seven pieces honor the intimate relationship between composer and son while remaining universally relatable for teen and adult pianists working through their own emotional landscapes. The melodies stick without manipulation, and the early advanced writing respects the developing technical skill of the player without overshadowing the emotional core.

The music unfolds with genuine tenderness and quiet reflection. Melodies bloom unhurriedly, supported by thoughtful harmonic language that feels personal without being sentimental. Each piece invites contemplation, leaving an emotional imprint that lingers long after the final notes fade.

Early advanced pianists seeking repertoire that speaks to their developing emotional awareness and technical ability. These pieces work equally well for high school students preparing for recitals and adult amateur pianists returning to the instrument or deepening their artistic expression.

• Honor the lyrical quality of each melody by listening to how the phrases breathe; resist the urge to rush through faster passages, as they often serve as connective tissue between emotional centers.
• Let the harmonic language guide your pedaling; Alexander's chord choices create natural color shifts, so listen for where the harmony actually changes rather than defaulting to a steady pedal pattern.
• Play through all seven pieces in sequence to understand their arc as a collection; the emotional journey matters as much as the individual pieces, whether you perform them together or separately.
• Pay attention to dynamic subtlety; the understated moments often carry as much weight as the fuller passages, and this contrast deepens the personal quality of the music.

Program these pieces individually within recitals that need emotional grounding, or perform the full collection as a complete work if time allows. Their introspective quality makes them ideal for spring recitals, studio showcases, or memorial concerts where emotional authenticity matters more than virtuosity.

• Pedal control and listening for harmonic change
• Phrasing and breath in lyrical melody lines
• Dynamic control at soft volumes and emotional subtlety
• Interpretation of music that prioritizes emotional content over technical display
• Understanding how harmonic progression supports melodic storytelling