Kansas: The Sunflower State (Recital Suite) |
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Commissioned by the Newton Piano Teacher's League. Dennis Alexander's Kansas: The Sunflower State is a nostalgic, musical look at his home state in three movements. The stage is set in the first movement with a bright and dazzling arrangement of We’re Off to See the Wizard (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz), the well-known and beloved song from the movie, The Wizard of Oz. The second movement, Sunflower Silhouettes, is a lyrical tribute to the state flower. Dodge City Jamboree!, the third and final movement, incorporates a fast and spirited tempo, changing meters and keys, and a variety of articulations to evoke all of the energy and excitement of the Old West. Selections: A - We're Off To See the Wizard; B -Sunflower Silhouettes; C -Dodge City Jamboree! To hear Dennis Alexander perform any of these piano pieces, CLICK on the MP3 icon(s) to the RIGHT. This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now |
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Everlasting |
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Carefully crafted in the key of F major with a change of key to A-flat major, the lyricism of the melody in this romantic solo is truly satisfying. Balance between the hands is essential to bring out the soaring right-hand melody over the expansive left hand. The piece begins simply but continues to grow in intensity until the texture of the melody is thickened with intervals of thirds followed by a dying down of both the music and the mood, making this a wonderful piece for developing musical playing.To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT. This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now |
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Danse Humoresque |
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Commissioned by the Billings, MT Music Teachers Association, this lively solo is in 5/8 meter and begins in the key of Eb Major. The slower, more lyrical middle section is in G major, in 3/8 meter. Mixed meters throughout makes this one an interesting solo to study and a definite recital or festival winner!To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT. This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now |
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Elegy (for LH alone) |
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Even though the left hand alone is featured in this beautiful "Andante Espressivo" piece, the artist will be playing above the center of the keyboard as well as below. It is set in D Major with a predominantly eighth note rhythm and a very legato, sustained flow, nicely balanced between melody and accompaniment. To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT. This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now |
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The Great Northwest (Recital Suite) |
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This recital suite was written for the MTNA National Convention in Seattle, WA. The natural beauty and majesty of the Northwest is portrayed with rich chords, lyrical melodies, syncopated rhythms, lively tempos and changing meters. Selections include: "The Magnificent Cascades", "Travelin' the Oregon Trail", "Many Glacier Arioso", and "Appaloosa Spirit". Students will love all 4 movements! "Appaloosa Spirit" is in the style of Ginastera-- it sounds very difficult but lies well in the hand. To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT. This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now |
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Reverie in F Minor |
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There is a hint of mystery in this serene, harmonically contemporary concert piece, in 9/8 time, which is ideal for the late intermediate pianist and features a beautiful right hand melodic mixture of triplet and duplet figures against the basic running triplet patterns that sweep from low to high in the left hand accompaniment. A truly beautiful solo. Dedicated to the Puyallup Valley Chapter, Washington State Music Teachers Association. This piece can also be found in Dennis Alexander Favorite Solos, Bk. 3.To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT. This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now |
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Serenade in E-flat Major |
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A soaring, lyrical melody characterizes this solo work in 3/4 meter which modulates between Eb, D, and C minor. Students who love romantic sounds will be motivated by this beautiful work. Also included in "Dennis Alexander's Favorite Solos, Bk. 3"To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT. This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer. |
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Smooth Talker |
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This sophisticated solo, with its jazzy sounds and rich chords, will appeal to older students. The 5/4 meter, found infrequently in supplementary solos, is a welcome challenge at this level. Although it is written in C major, there are many accidentals in both hands. The moderate tempo and use of the damper pedal create a lush sound reminiscent of the blues. Slow practice with careful counting will ensure a "smooth" performance of this piece. To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT.. This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now |
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Tarantella Burleska |
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A dazzling tarantella in C major that flies all over the keyboard. Sudents will find lots of "patterns" that make this solo easier to learn and memorize. An excellent recital or festival piece, this one is sure to please performer and audience alike. Also included in "Dennis Alexander's Favorite Solos, Bk. 3"To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT. This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer. |
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Toccata Spirito |
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A real "showpiece", this toccata glitters throughout with a rapid alternating hands pattern that finds the melody in the LH much of the time. Sparkling descending scales and ascending chromatic passages give this piece lots of color. Also included in "Dennis Alexander's Favorite Solos, Bk. 3"To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT. This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now |
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Peaceful Hearts (RH alone) |
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This beautiful solo for right hand alone will please the romantic pianist who is looking for a lyrical and tender piece for one hand. Written in F major, there are unexpected modulations to D major in the middle section with rich-sounding and varied harmonies. To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT. This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now |
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Winter Rhapsody |
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The maestoso opening of this solo in 3/4 meter leads to an allegro molto tempo. From there, the piece takes off on a wild chase using triplet arpeggios, chromatic scales and ostinato patterns until it returns to the maestoso section in the final four measures. Don't be fooled by the C major key signature-there are many accidentals and more...chromatic passages, yet they fall comfortably within the hand. This is definitely a show-stopper and is destined to be a favorite on recitals and contest lists.To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT. This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now |
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"The Carolinas" Recital Suite |
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Dennis Alexander's "The Carolinas" is a musical vision of North and South Carolina. The three movements represent distinct characteristics of these states. The suite begins with "Dogwoods in Bloom," a tribute to the state flower of North Carolina. This colorful movement recreates the sound of the red cardinal (North Carolina's state bird) on the piano, signaling the bloom of the beautiful dogwood blossoms. South Carolina is highlighted in the second movement, "Dancin' the Myrtle Beach Shag," a lively rendition of this famous dance style. Both states are featured in "Storm on the Carolina Coast." This final movement captures the power, fury and drama of an impending storm bearing down on the coasts of North and South Carolina. This movement would be a great contest piece or recital closer-----the perfect piece for a student who loves drama and speed. Selections: A - Dogwoods in Bloom; B - Dancin' the Myrtle Beach Shag; C - Storm on the Carolina Coast To hear Dennis Alexander perform any of these piano pieces, CLICK on the MP3 icon(s) to the RIGHT. This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now |
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Danza Spiccato |
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“Spiccato” is a staccato style of playing a stringed instrument where the bow literally bounces on the strings. Here, the performer’s fingers will be bouncing on the keys in this high-spirited dance. Changing meters (from 7/8 to 5/8), and articulations (from staccato to legato), combined with the key of D Mixolydian lend an exotic sound to this exciting solo. Bonus features include excellent reinforcement of bass clef reading for the right hand melody in the A section as well as second inversion triads in the B section. To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT. This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now |
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Scenes from New Jersey - Recital Suite |
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Scenes from New Jersey creates musical snapshots of the diverse aspects of the state. The grandeur of "The Kittatinny Mountains" is explored in the first movement with sweeping chords that build momentum. The Newark jazz scene is captured next in "Jazzy Jersey." This bluesy movement pays homage to the jazz greats who got their start in Newark. The final movement, "No Left Turn!" is a humorous account of a driver becoming very frustrated over the "no left turn" rules in the state of New Jersey. The molto allegro tempo and contemporary harmonies, including forearm clusters in both arms, help portray the frustration of the driver, bringing the suite to a frenzied conclusion. Selections: A - The Kittatinny Mountaiins; B -Jazzy Jersey; C -No Left Turn! To hear Dennis Alexander perform any of these piano pieces, CLICK on the MP3 icon(s) to the RIGHT. This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now |
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Rhythm-a-catta |
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This Late Intermediate level solo will prove to be a recital favorite for your students! In cut time, this solo requires careful counting, and close attention to details will aid in identifying and executing the varied articulations. Its lively, rhythmic nature is portrayed through staccato chords and syncopation. Smooth arpeggios in the bass lend a dash of spice and interest, and occasional accents provide additional zest to this presto piece.It is full of jazzy rhythms, covers a wide range of the instrument, and contains some mixed meters. It fits the hand beautifully and students will have fun not only practicing it, but will also find it to be a real crowd-pleaser. It is dedicated to the Musical Arts Centers of San Antonio, Texas. To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT. This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now |
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Toccata Tempestosa |
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From a fiery tempo to dramatic lyricism, this aptly named piano solo has it all! Chromatic and sweeping musical ideas explore various registers of the keyboard, creating a virtuosic piece. The piece lies beneath the hands beautifully, allowing the performer to meet the technical demands of the music while delivering an exciting performance. Commissioned by the Billings, Montana Music Teachers Association in 2016. To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT. This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now |
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