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Song List: Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune* Rapsodie on a Theme of Paganini, Eighteenth Variation* Sonata No. 11, K. 331 Rondo Alla Turca* Sonata No. 14 in C# Minor, op. 27 no. 2, 1st Movement ("Moonlight Sonata")* Für Elise, WoO 59* Cantata No. 147, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
(Click on a song title to see more information on it)

• 3 iLevels: transcription of Debussy score, plus 2 breakdowns

• 1 Performance Video: Debussy transcription

Prelude, Menuet, Clair de Lune, and Passepied make up the four movements of Debussy's Suite Bergamasque, which he composed in 1890 and revised in 1905. The title most likely comes from a phrase in a poem by French poet Paul Verlaine. The difficult midsection features intricate passage work and light running thirds.

• 4 iLevels: arrangement for solo piano, plus 3 breakdowns

• 2 Performance Videos: solo piano arrangement and easiest breakdown

The theme is taken from Paganini, the virtuoso violinist. Rachmaninoff created a set of variations for piano and orchestra based on it; this Eighteenth Variation is the most well-known. The transcription of this well-loved piece is intended for the advanced pianist; however, players of all levels will enjoy the melodic easier arrangements.

• 4 iLevels: transcription of Mozart score, Mozart score with ornamentation, plus 2 breakdowns

• 3 Performance Videos: Mozart transcription, Mozart transcription with ornamentation, and easiest breakdown

Mozart wrote this as the last movement to one of his eighteen piano sonatas, imitating the Turkish style, which was in vogue at the time. The intermediate to advanced pianist will find the even, articulate passage work challenging.

• 3 iLevels: transcription of Beethoven score, plus 2 breakdowns

• 1 Performance Video: Beethoven transcription

"Moonlight Sonata" is the popular name for Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 14 in C# Minor, op. 27 no. 2. He wrote thirty-two piano sonatas, this one - probably the most well-loved - in 1801. The name is supposed to have come from a reviewer's comment likening the first movement to "a boat visiting, by moonlight, the primitive landscapes of [Lake Lucerne] in Switzerland." It should be played with light sensitivity. Accessible to the intermediate student, the piece requires a delicate balance between the melody and accompaniment, both of which are played in the right hand.

• 3 iLevels: transcription of Beethoven score, plus 2 breakdowns

• 2 Performance Videos: Beethoven transcription and easiest breakdown

Beethoven wrote this familiar piece in rondo form for a pupil named Therese (the dedication to Elise was probably a misunderstanding on Beethoven's part - he was going deaf). The WoO (Werke Ohne Opus: Work without Opus) indicates that it was not included in his complete opus listings. It can be tackled by the early intermediate student. A good "first" work by a master composer, pianists will find the quick intricate middle section challenging.

• 3 iLevels: arrangement for solo piano, plus 2 breakdowns

• 2 Performance Videos: solo piano arrangement and easiest breakdown

This piece is taken from one of Bach's many cantatas, which were sung on Sundays at the Leipzig church where he was music director for many years. Though he had to write a new cantata for every Sunday service, he managed to be endlessly inventive. It is said that his combination of religious devotion and creative genius found a perfect vehicle in the cantata, to the point that Bach and cantata have become virtually synonymous. Pianists of all levels will find an accessible arrangement of this well-known Bach chorale.

Copyright 1999 all arrangements by iSong.com, inc. All performances by Kathy Winston/iSong.com, inc. Produced by iSong.com, inc. 1999.