Left hand piece?

[ramseytheii]

I recently acquired an older student who is an amateur pianist since many years, and nicely talented.  He has played some Chopin waltzes, movements from Beethoven sonatas, and is working now on the Mozart sonata for 4 hands in F major, and some other pieces. 

He also has a talent (his strength) for improvisation, and can improvise in Baroque style, Classical style, early Romantic style. 

However I noticed a considerable weakness in his left hand.  I asked him therefore to practice improvising with the melodic element in the left hand, and the right hand accompanying.  He came back after two weeks and said it was too difficult for him. 

So I want to give him a few pieces as models; can anyone recommend a piece in the abovementioned styles, that it is not technically difficult (so he can learn it fast), that features the melodic content in the left hand?  The more pieces you can mention, the better.  I greatly appreciate it,

Walter Ramsey

[bernhard]

Out of the top of my head.
 
Easy (grades 1-3):

Gustave Sandre – “Mr. Happy –go-lucky” – a very cheerful little piece with a catchy motif and most of the melody on the left hand (“More Romantic pieces for piano” vol. 1 – ABRSM )

Gurlitt –  Etude Although very easy (around grade 2) this is a beautiful piece that sounds far more difficult than it actually is. The right hand plays a repeated, hypnotic double note harmony while the melody is exclusively on the left hand (sometimes this piece is called “The Night Train”).

Alberto Nepomuceno - “Melodia” (“Melody”) – Brazilian composer Nepomuceno (1864 – 1920) wrote this beautiful piece for his little daughter. It is meant to be played with the left hand alone (if shared between the hands then the melody will be in the right hand, I´m afraid). You can get the score (free) and listen to it on this site:

https://paginas.terra.com.br/lazer/bvm/scores/melodia_nepomuceno_a.htm
(lots of very interesting music there!)

Karganov – “March of the tin soldiers” – I usually dislike pieces with this sot of title, but this is an exception. Absolutely delightful, the melody keeps going form hand to hand, but it is mostly on the left hand. (“More Romantic pieces for piano” vol. 2 – ABRSM )

Intermediate (grades 4-5)

Liszt – “La Cloche Sonne” – one of the easiest Liszt pieces (around grade 4). Right hand plays double notes, left hand plays the melody.

Gliere – “Song” – This is a stunningly beautiful piece written in modern counterpoint (four voices). The melody goes through all voices, and is half of the time on the left hand. (“More Romantic pieces for piano” vol. 2 – ABRSM )

Prokofiev – “The Moon strolls through the meadow” – In my opinion the most beautiful of his “Children Pieces”, on the first half the melody in on the right hand, and on the second half on the left hand.

Advanced (grades 6-8)

Schumann – “Fantastic Dance” op. 124 no. 5 – The melody in the left hand is echoed in the right hand – a very short piece, full of nervous tension – great show piece without being that difficult.

Mendelssohn – Song Without Words no. 18 (op. 38 no. 6) “Duetto”. The melody is not exclusively in the left hand, but it is there for a considerable amount of time as soprano (right hand) and bass (left hand) voices make some beautiful conversation.


I will see if I can come back with more.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[ramseytheii]

Thanks for the information.  You definitely caught my attention with the Gliere and Liszt.  Having trouble finding the Gliere to buy over internet.. can you tell me if it has an opus number?  I found "Eight Easy Pieces," op.43, but the individual titles are not listed; and also "Twelve Children's Pieces," op.31.  In addition there was a "Chanson," but it was for oboe and piano.
I found the Liszt.

Walter Ramsey

[bernhard]

Thanks for the information.  You definitely caught my attention with the Gliere and Liszt.  Having trouble finding the Gliere to buy over internet.. can you tell me if it has an opus number?  I found "Eight Easy Pieces," op.43, but the individual titles are not listed; and also "Twelve Children's Pieces," op.31.  In addition there was a "Chanson," but it was for oboe and piano.
I found the Liszt.

Walter Ramsey

I am sorry, all I can tell you is that the Gliere piece is part of the ABRSM collection "More Romantic Pices for piano " vol. 2, and they do not supply the opus number. But I sent you a PM.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[dnephi]

In the Godowsky studies on chopin etudes, many of them have the thematic material switched from the right hand to the left hand.  Also, the Ocean Etude is transcribed for left hand alone .  Pretty neat :p.

[ramseytheii]

In the Godowsky studies on chopin etudes, many of them have the thematic material switched from the right hand to the left hand.  Also, the Ocean Etude is transcribed for left hand alone .  Pretty neat :p.

Thanks.  I'll be sure to tell my chemistry-teacher student. 

Walter Ramsey