Quietudes for Piano

Description

Quietudes for Piano

“Quietudes for Piano, Nos. 1-12 is the
companion sheet music book for the 2019 recording by James Michael
Stevens. The twelve piano solos are each in one of the twelve major keys
and are intended to encourage piano students to try some of the more
challenging keys as well as the easier ones. I would put the playing
level for most of the Quietudes at intermediate, as most of them are
single notes on each hand. #12 is the only one I would call
upper-intermediate, as it is the key of B major (5 sharps) and the left
hand consists of four-note chord patterns. Most of the rhythms
throughout the book are built around quarter notes and eighth notes, so
the timing is quite easy. Dr. Stevens refers to the music as “ambient,”
but I find the pieces to be very pleasantly melodic and more structured
than what I would usually call “ambient.” They are flowing, fairly slow
and rubato, allowing the pianist to freely express himself or herself.
Most adult pianists will enjoy the relaxing and uplifting quality of the
music.

Each of the twelve pieces is three pages long and all but one has 42
measures – #3 has 43. The playing order of the pieces starts with #1 in
the key of C and each subsequent piece is in a key a half step higher
than the previous one. (C then Db then D, etc.) It’s a very nice
collection suitable for any age group.” Review by Kathy Parsons, https://mainlypiano.com/songbook-reviews/james-michael-stevens-quietudes-for-piano