Simple Solutions Volume 4: An Orchestral Orchard

Fourteen Easy Arrangements for the Intermediate Pianist

PDF Sheet music
Piano solo arrangements by Henrik Kilhamn

CONTENTS

Bach: Air
Bach: Arioso
Mozart: "Elvira Madigan", Piano concerto No. 21 mvt II
Beethoven Allegretto from Symphony no. 7
Beethoven: Ode to Joy from Symphony no. 9
Grieg: "Morning Mood"
Grieg: "In the Hall of the Mountain King"
Elgar: Salut d'Amour
Elgar: Nimrod from Enigma Variations
Fauré: Sicilienne
Fauré: Pavane
Mascagni: Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana
Rachmaninoff: Variation no. 18 from Paganini Rhapsody
Rachmaninoff: Mvt II from Piano Concerto no. 2

Approximate Grade: 4-5
Scale 1 - 8: Beginner - Advanced

After three volumes drawing only on the piano solo repertoire, Volume 4 takes some of the most known and loved melodies from the orchestral realm that nevertheless makes for good piano adaptations. It’s a mix of various different source materials all arranged down for two intermediate piano hands: mostly movements from orchestral suites and symphonies, but also a couple from the more intimate world of chamber music, and no less than three piano concerto movements! In some cases there is a piano version as a semi-original that the composer produced himself, as in the case of Grieg, Elgar and Fauré; or there is only an ambitious piano reduction that is meant more for study than performance, as with Beethoven and Rachmaninoff. But despite this disparity, the collection forms a wonderful whole with both similarities in musical conception and contrasts of character and style. An Orchestral Orchard, providing you with delicious, sweet treats, whatever you are in the mood for!

The first section grows from classical vines: Two timeless string movements by Bach, two riveting excerpts from proper Beethoven symphonies, and a middle movement of a Mozart piano concerto – everything condensed down to comfortable piano solo arrangements. Then, a sample platter from five different European countries in their ripest romanticism: Two tales of the north from Grieg’s Norway; two warm melodies from Elgar’s England; two noble dances from Fauré’s France; an immersive intermezzo from Mascagni’s Italy; and finally two passionate piano concerto excerpts from Rachmaninoff’s Russia.

Overall, I have aimed for the equivalence of Grade 4-5 in this volume and have chosen suitable pieces for this level; on a scale of 1 to 8 where 1 is suitable for a beginner and 8 for conservatory level and beyond. However, this is only a reference point and no official grading, and pieces may be experienced subjectively as easier or harder.

PLAYLIST of videos of all arrangements:

ABOUT SIMPLE SOLUTIONS

The Simple Solutions series came from the idea that even not-professionally trained pianists should be able to enjoy the feeling of playing great music from the piano repertoire with their own hands. This is possible with some clever rearranging of the musical material: reducing the range of independent voices and jumps while preserving core ideas of melody and rhythm. In this easier setting, you will instead have enough time on your hands (literally!) to bring the music to life and care about those aspect that often otherwise come second: phrasing, articulation, dynamics, and balance. This will help you develop your over-all musicality, which will be of great value in all other pieces as well.

In the end, if you feel ready for a challenge and want to go forward with proper piano studies that requires years of practice – you can always move on to more advanced arrangements or original piano compositions. They will always be there. In the meantime, these arrangements will bring you close to the same enjoyment as the full versions, because all musical ideas are carefully conserved.

They are just a little bit easier.

KEY SIGNATURES

The whole volume comes in two versions: with arrangements both transposed to easier key signatures as well as kept in their the original keys. Around half of the arrangements are easy enough to read in their original key signature and comes only in that version, but are included in both PDF files. The "Easy Keys" transposed version is recommended for the most comfortable Simple Solutions experience. It's much easier to read notes without many sharps or flats, which frees up a lot of attention for all other musical aspects solely at a cost if you have perfect pitch. The version in original key serves the purpose of constituting a proper stepping stone if you wish to continue with the original version / more advanced arrangements in some capacity later on.

Also, check out:
Simple Solutions Volume 1 (Elementary ~ Grade 3)
Simple Solutions Volume 2 (Intermediate ~ Grade 5)
Simple Solutions Volume 3: Nights & Dreams (Intermediate ~ Grade 5)