William Bolcom

[ptmidwest]

Which of William Bolcom's works work well for students?

How long are they?

How contemporary-sounding are they?

Which are the easiest?  Which are intermediate?  Which are advanced? 

Why is "Monsterpieces" so hard to find, and is it worth the search?

Anybody know?
Thank you!

[bella musica]

I'm learning The Poltergeist from Bolcom's Three Ghost Rags right now and I would definitely place it in the 'advanced' category.  Not because the notes themselves are so difficult to play, but because there are about 15 accidentals in every measure of the piece, which already has 6 flats to begin with.  Makes it rather difficult to memorize and sight read.  Oh, as to length it's 10 pages and lasts about 3'45".  Unfortunately that is all I know about Bolcom's works...

[dorie]

Monsterpieces - at least the first few selections - are very easy and quite fun.  Magrath lists them as level 2 and my daughter, who at 11 is not especially talented learned them herself within a week after a little more than a year of lessons to play at a little halloween production at her regular school.  They are charming.

I got them through the links on Bolcom's website with no problem

[urbanspice]

try hutchinsandrea.com or even amazon. I had no problem finding copies. And if your local music store carries festival music, then it should have it. Also, The Bad Mister from Monsterpieces is an awesome song. I live for the days when I introduce that song.

[ptmidwest]

Thank you all!

Your replies were certainly helpful, and we are looking forward to having the Ghost Rags on Halloween recitals this fall. 

I haven't seen it yet, but it's on its way now, and I think Monsterpieces will be a great treat for teachers.

Thanks!