Composed in October 2019, this book includes 12 ambient piano solos in quiet and reflective styles with each piece being in a different major key. It is so easy to always play in the keys that are easiest while avoiding the harder ones, so this set is somewhat of an set of etudes to encourage the piano student learn and be comfortable with every key. The YouTube example is of No. 1 while the MP3 is of No. 2. James Michael Stevens is a prolific composer residing in Nashville, TN and serves as the Music Department Chairman of Welch College.

"Autumn Amble" from "Starlight Dreams: Etudes for Piano" by Karen Biehl (Maestra Music).

Maestra Music's piano etudes were composed with students in mind, in keys and patterns that are easy and fun to play, yet invoke the evocative spirit and soul of Romantic/Classical music, in a form that is accessible to all. Just as the soundtrack sets the tone of the scene in a movie, the compositions of Maestra Music intend to set the stage for the creative mind to flourish.

It is my hope to spark the desire to learn, study and create by exploring and sharing music that inspires students to reflect, find and express the voice of their soul. When we are focused on creative expression, we focus on our truest self and as a result put our best foot forward in all our endeavors.

Souvenir de Porto Rico, Op. 31, is a musical composition for piano by American composer Louis Moreau Gottschalk written from 1857 during a tour in Puerto Rico. Dedicated to the Dutch piano virtuoso and salon music composer Ernest Henry Lubeck, and published in Mainz circa 1860 with the subtitle of Marche des Gibaros, it is based on the Christmas folk song 'Si me dan pasteles, denmelos calientes', performed by local peasants known as Jíbaros.

The piece makes use of Latin-American and Afro-American melodies and rhythms almost fifty years before early ragtime and jazz would popularize its use.Souvenir de Porto Rico was written in the last trimester of 1857, when of Gottschalk's stay at the sugar plantation of English-born Mr. Cornelius Cartwright, in Plazuela. At the time, Gottschalk was on vacation with singer Adelina Patti and her father. He would decide not to leave Puerto Rico, but instead remain there for weeks. During this period he composed a number of additional pieces after the local musical styles.Gottschalk would say about the setting where he composed the piece: "[I was] perched upon the edge of a crater, [and] my cabin overlooked the whole country. Every evening I moved my piano out upon the terrace, and played for myself alone, everything that the scene opened up before me inspired. It was there that I composed 'Marche des Gibaros.'.

ISBN 9783750256606, 8.3 x 11.7 inches, English, German.

Music essences were inspired by the idea of developinga piano book that is not a piano school but offers new pieces next to the oldclassics. So you can expand your repertoire for every occasion.

The title describes the pieces as very compressedmusic ideas, or even impressions. They can be musically developed and expandedin mind. Even extended interpretations are conceivable, both in playing and interms of instrumental arrangement.

Waltz No. 1

This Piano Sonata in G major has a light, liltingmelody and a midsection that underscores the style of a waltz. It is a verylively and dynamic piece. The mood is enhanced by a few diffuse moments, whichsupports the arc of suspense.

Impromptu

Based on Franz Schubert, this impromptu is inspired bythe trio of the fourth part of Opus 90 from 1827. The style has been expandedand reinterpreted with modern elements. The theme increases to the upperoctaves and culminates in a new theme in the midsection. It ends with a solemnmood.

Summer

Originally it is the theme of my first symphony forchorus and orchestra, third Movement. In this arrangement for piano, it is themelody that is intensively underlined and expressed.

2nd Intermezzo

In the beginning this piece is like a nocturne byFrederic Chopin, But the midsection is based on the midsection of the secondintermezzo, opus 118 by Johannes Brahms from 1893. Mood, harmony and style ofthe midsection are also inspired by the soundtrack from "PearlHarbor" by Hans Zimmer.

These are eight original piano compositions written between March 29 and April 26. I tried to write these representing various moods and in homage to Italy and the heartbreaking losses they have suffered during this difficult time as well as now countries all the around the world. These range in difficulty from intermediate to more advanced. The MP3 is of No. 1 while the YouTube example is of No. 3.

The "Italian Preludes" is currently nominated for the One World Music Radio 2020 "Best Neo Classical Award" as of May 2021.

James Michael Stevens is a prolific composer residing in Nashville, TN and serves as the Music Department Chairman of Welch College.

This collection of intermediate piano solos includes 20 arrangements of some of the most romantic songs from ages past. These beautiful, lyrical songs are perfect for weddings, easy listening repertoire, personal enjoyment, and even a few for church worship services.

These arrangements were created to make challenging classical music more accessible for the intermediate player or easier to sight-read by more advanced players (comes in handy when asked to perform on short notice). Another feature of these arrangements is they are consistent at the intermediate to advanced-intermediate skill level throughout each piece. Many have been simplified and only include excerpts from the longer original movements. Other simplified characteristics include easier key signatures, timings, and fingerings. Complimentary interludes and introductions were added when appropriate and melodies modified to create a more contemporary sound.

Each of the 20 arrangements is also available separately with accompanying preview pages and audio samples. The audio sample plays ?Starlight Serenade? by Alexander Ilyinsky.

Titles in this collection include:
Aura Lea ~ by George Poulton
Butterfly Serenade ~ Impromptu (Op. 90, No. 3) by Franz Schubert
Cherish the Moments ~ Rondo from Pathétique by Ludwig van Beethoven
Dance with Me ~ Valse Lente from ?Coppelia? by Leo Delibes
Dream with Me ~ Andante from Piano Concerto No. 21 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Evening Breezes ~ Intermezzo from Carmen Suite No. 1 by Georges Bizet
A Journey of Love ~ Sicilienne by Gabriel Fauré
The Joys of Love ~ Plaisir d?Amour by Jean-Paul Martini
Jupiter from ?The Planets? ~ by GustavHolst
Love?s Greeting ~ Salut d?Amour by Edward Elgar
Melody of Love ~ by Hans Engelmann
Moonlight Sonata ~ Adagio from Sonata Op. 27, No. 2 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Nightingale Serenade ~ Serenata by Enrico Toselli
O Lord Most Holy ~ Panis Angelicus by Cesar Auguste Franck
Orange Blossoms in Spring ~ Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni
A Romanian Love Song ~ Rumänisches Liebesleben by Iosif Ivanovici
Spring ~ Allegretto from Songs without Words by Felix Mendelssohn

Starlight Serenade ~ Berceuse Op. 13, No. 7 by Alexander Ilyinsky
Waves of the Danube ~ Donauwellen by Iosif Ivanovici
Yearning for Love ~ Adagio from Pathétique by Ludwig van Beethoven