"Darker" Sounding Beginner Pieces

[contreras]

Hey guys.

Recently, I've been looking for some darker sounding beginner (level 1-2) pieces, but the only ones I've really been able to find so far are some of Burgmuller's 25 Progressive Studies. Besides those, the vast majority of the pieces that I've found thus far really happy sounding major key works. Do any of you have some good recommendations? Thanks in advance.

[coffee_guy]

Wild Horsemen op 68 no 8, I would not call it "dark", but it's not happy either. It's a fun one to learn.

[m1469]

Well, I can't tell for sure by your post whether or not you think those Burgmuller's fall into the level category that you think you're looking for - many of those are level 3-4.  

But, IF you are looking for something at a similar level as those, but who are very much like little art pieces, I would recommend William Gillock's 24 Preludes in a Romantic Style - there are some super cool "darker" pieces in there.  

Seascape
Phantom Rider
Summer Storm
Interlude
Winter Scene

... there may be some "dark" ones that I'm forgetting about in those.  Here's Seascape and it gives you an example of Gillock's writing (maybe not the *best* example of playing this piece (sorry YouTube boy)):

Ballade by Willard Palmer
The Shepherd from "The Joy of Modern Piano Pieces" selected and edited by Agay.


And then some from a book considered level 1B - by Janet Vogt and Martha Sherrill Kelsey:
Fallen Leaves
Whispering Winds of Halloween
Sunshine and Clouds

I'll probably think of more, later.