Dutkanicz - My first book of Tchaikovsky: favorite pieces in easy piano arrangements

This beautiful waltz is from Tchaikovskys famous ballet Sleeping Beauty . Youve no doubt heard it before on many different occasions. Keep the tempo steady, and be expressive as you sharply slow the tempo at the rallantando (rall.) .

The mazurka is a Polish dance. Shape the phrases louder and softer as the melody rises up and down. Use the dynamics to contrast the different moods of the piece.

This simple yet powerful chorale opens Tchaikovskys famous 1812 Overture . The text reads: O Lord, save Thy people. Tchaikovsky wrote this overture to commemorate Russias victory over Napoleons invasion in the year 1812.

Tchaikovsky finished his first piano concerto in February, 1875. The famous melody is based on a peasant melody the composer heard at a market near Kiev. Use the ritardando (rit.) at the end to softly bring the melody to an end.

The second movement of the piano concerto is a gentle melody used to contrast the energy of the previous movement. The molto ritardando calls for a great reduction in tempo, and the a tempo brings it back to the original pulse. Fast and slow can be used to contrast sections just as effectively as loud and soft.

The hurdy-gurdy is an old instrument similar to a cross between an accordion and a violin. It was a popular instrument in the village, and often used in dances. Keep the tempo upbeat and imagine a happy dance scene.

This sad melody from Tchaikovskys Childrens Album uses broken chords, also known as arpeggios . When playing, dont think of the notes as being separate from one another, but rather as links in a chain. This will help you play more musically and evenly.

This charming waltz is one of the most played from The Nutcracker . Pay attention to how Tchaikovsky adds thirds in the right hand (starting on page 20) to sweeten the melody in the left hand. Also, feel free to slow the tempo as you wish at the rubato just be sure to return to your original pace at the a tempo.

Shakespeare has long served to inspire composers, such as Mendelssohn and Verdi. Tchaikovsky wrote an orchestral piece based on the tragic story of Romeo and Juliet. Youll find that he uses accidentals to portray the emotion of the work, such as the D in the right hand at the end.

Tchaikovsky composed March Slav to benefit the opening of a veterans hospital. This melody is taken from a Serbian folksong. Youll notice how the Oriental sounding D# represents the various cultural influences that passed through the Balkans.