Piano for Beginners 6th ED - 2016 UK

Play in the style of...

W

estern classical music after 1600 can

be divided into four different eras:

Baroque, Classical, Romantic and

20th Century. While the Baroque

era (around 1600 - 1740) relied heavily on keyboard

music, the preferred instrument of choice was

usually a harpsichord, an ancestor of the piano and

the organ.

By the mid-18th Century, however, the Classical

period had arrived, and it featured solo music

composed on the fortepiano, which was an early

version of the piano we know and love today. The

Baroque era’s elaborate flourishes and confusing

multiple melodies were gradually replaced by

homophonic texture, where multiple instruments

would play one melody over an accompaniment.

In Classical-era piano music specifically, simple

arpeggios and Alberti bass were used a lot

with the left hand. They were used as repeated

accompaniment patterns to keep the piece flowing

but not lessen the importance of the melody.

The Classical era was home to many of the

world’s most famous composers, many of whom

remain household names today. These include

Joseph Haydn, who wrote many works for piano,

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the most

talented composers to have ever lived, and Ludwig

Van Beethoven, a highly influential pianist who

wrote several piano sonatas and concertos and was

a key proponent in the transition from classical to

romantic music.

Rich, obvious melodies and simple patterns define this important musical era

The Classical

period

Inspirational works

Fantasia No. 3 in

D minor

Artist: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Year : 1782

This enchantingly ominous piece is

one of Mozart’s most popular piano

solos and great to learn. It is said that

the ending was actually written by

August Eberhard Müller, as the piece

was left unfinished at his death.

Piano Sonata No. 52 in

E-flat major

Artist: Joseph Haydn

Year : 1794

This was the last of Haydn’s infamous

piano sonatas, and is considered by

many to be his greatest. The entire

piece is an outstanding display of

technical skill and beautiful, unique

harmonic structure.

Opus 49, No.4

Artist: Johannes Brahms

Year : 1868

This recognisable melody is possibly

the most famous lullaby in the world.

If you can resist drifting off to this

beautiful piece, then listen out for the

intricate use of simple harmonies and

triads that provide a tender contrast

to Brahms’ orchestral compositions.

Lang Lang in Paris

Artist: Lang Lang

Year : 2015 Label: Sony Classical

Records

Lang Lang is one of the most

accomplished pianists of the 2 1st

century, offering technically solid and

yet expressively innovative renditions

of some of Chopin and Tchaikovsky’s

best-loved pieces.

Great classical piano pieces

“The Classical era was home to many of the

world’s most famous composers”

Audio file

Listen to the audio files

and follow along on your

own keyboard

Give it a try