Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Work Overview

This collection of 16 pieces seeks to fill a gap in the pedagogical repertoire. Currently there are only a small number of ensemble works that cater to the beginner classical pianist. The composers, Cathy Applegate and Winnie Choy, have aimed to make this music accessible and entertaining to perform, as well as providing a solid educational base for ensemble playing.

Work Details

Year: 2020

Instrumentation: Piano, strings (instrumentation changes between violin/viola/cello with every piece).

Duration: 40 min.

Difficulty: Easy

Contents note: Dancing Raindrops (cello & piano) -- Sun Shower Waltz (viola & piano) -- Intrigue (piano trio) -- Duelling Octaves (ello & piano) -- Magical Little Creatures (versions for violin & piano, and cello & piano) -- Petit Gigue (piano trio) -- Dreamlike (piano tior) -- Cloud Watching (piano trio) -- Rough (piano trio) -- At the Breakfast bar (cello & piano) -- Stargaze (cello & piano) -- The Machine (versions for violin & piano, and cello & piano) -- Ragtime Rules (cello & piano) -- The Adventure (piano trio).

The styles of the 16 pieces vary a great deal. Some are in the Baroque and Classical styles. Other pieces reference music from other countries, such as South America and Asia. There is one work in a modern style with a more challenging time signature. Some have been composed to specifically address a particular ensemble skill.