Based on Events and Episodes in the life of Johann Sebastian Bach, this Late Elementary piano collection may be used as supplementary literature with any piano method. Many of Bach's pieces were named as Preludes, Sarabandes, Minuets, Arias, and other titles relating to the form of the composition. Mr. Schaum has chosen titles from authentic episodes in Bach's life and applied them to his music. The appropriate captions add color and life to the music, the biographical sketches add musical appreciation, and Mr. Schaum's arrangements make teaching easier.

The pieces in this series are long-time favorites that have appeal for pianists of all ages. Very carefully correlated to standard piano method levels, each book contains arrangements that are musically appropriate to that level. The arrangements are teacher friendly, even for the teacher who is reluctant to add pop music to the curriculum. And the series is student friendly -- there will be willing practice! Titles: * Begin the Beguine * Evergreen * I Only Have Eyes for You * Stairway to Heaven * 'S Wonderful * Star Wars (Main Title) * Tea for Two * Theme from A Summer Place * The Thorn Birds (Main Theme) * The Wind Beneath My Wings * Your Smiling Face.

Featured in this practical teaching collection are famous selections from Album for the Young, Scenes from Childhood, Carnival, Albumblätter, and arrangements of Schumann's Piano Quintet, Op. 44, Concerto in A minor, Op. 54, Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13, and "Larghetto" from Spring Symphony. Mr. Schaum has purposely abridged some of the compositions making them more accessible for the early intermediate to intermediate-level student.

The Virtuoso Pianist first appeared in 1873 and has become one of the standards of piano technique throughout the world. For this edition, Mr. Schaum has used eighth notes instead of sixteenth notes and has indicated hands played two octaves apart for ease in reading. With the modifications indicated by Mr. Schaum, this valuable set of exercises is suitable for elementary students. Mr. Schaum also provides valuable performance suggestions and an informative preface by Charles Hanon.

Frederic Chopin (1810-1849) composed his great music under abstract titles such as: Preludes, Mazurkas, Berceuses, and Waltzes. Modern education advocates graphic descriptive captions that tell incidents: that is why Mr. Schaum has substituted historically interesting titles for the abstract terms. The original titles are always in parentheses. This wealth of true biographical information adds musical appreciation to these authentic Chopin excerpts.This newly engraved edition will be welcomed by teachers and students.

The music of Mozart is now more popular than ever before! John W. Schaum's arrangements of symphonic works, concertos, and difficult piano solos make these timeless works easy to play. Based on events and episodes of Mozart's life, this collection may be used as supplementary literature with any piano method. Mozart wrote over six hundred pieces without titles and now Mr. Schaum has created descriptive titles, describing incidents from Mozart's life. His historically appropriate captions add color and life, the biographical sketches add musical appreciation, and Mr. Schaum's arrangements make teaching easier.