Denes Agay has selected and edited a great collection of piano pieces that I, as an intermediate player can mostly sight-read. I have used these pieces in teaching dance by playing right along with my classes while teaching. I do this by sitting at the classroom piano placed on a diagonal slant from the front corner so I can glance at the kids while reading the music.

I think it is invaluable to have live music in the classroom while the students are moving. You can start and stop as needed; put emphasis where needed; combine phrases and pieces spontaneously; play softer or with more emphasis or gusto - whatever the class is needing at the time.

These pieces by the Mozart are unsurpassed for quality listening. The melodies are uplifting and full of phrases that are akin to the students' language lessons. Even being able to play the pieces for your students is more than listening pleasure - it opens their ears to the nuances great music provides.

One of my favorite pieces to accompany the students while they skip in patterns is Spring Song K.596.

Here are the selections for the keyboard: Menuett K.7; Allegro K.3g; Air K.16kk; Menuetto K.15qq; Andante K.15mm; Spring Song K.596; Contredance in A K.151; Minuet and Trio K.315a; Burleska Composed in 1766; Rondino K.15d; Sonatina; Andante Cantabile from Sonata K.330; Rondo K.15hh; Alla Turca from Sonata K. 331; Viennese Sonatina No.2 in A; Variations on an Allegretto K.54; Sonata K.0Anh.135-547a; and Rondo K.511.

And, favorite themes from: Marriage of Figaro; The Magic Flute; Don Giovanni; Piano Concerto No.24; Piano Concerto No. 21; Piano Concerto No. 15; Piano Concerto No. 17; Symphony No.40; and A Little Night Music.

I highly recommend this piano music book for your own playing pleasure and for helping teach movement and dance to your students!

Details - 80 pages by Yorktown Music Press, Inc.; 1983; 11.6 x 8.8 inches; ISBN-10: 0825680255; ISBN-13: 978-0825680250

Available from Amazon.com
The Joy of Mozart - Piano Music

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