Novellas, Book 2
“La barca di Cléopâtre” (Cleopatra’s Barge)
Six Original Solos for the Developing Artist
by Tom Gerou
Early Advanced
Contains “La barca di Cléopâtre” (Cleopatra’s Barge)
The Novellas are composed in a variety of contemporary styles, offering unique technical challenges for study while providing musically satisfying and appealing performance pieces. The compositions are carefully created to challenge the pianist with the most well-crafted pieces possible. Reminiscent of 19th-century character pieces, they provide interesting musical development and complexity while remaining short (similar to treatment of musical ideas in a sonatina). Some pieces have descriptive titles, others are open to interpretation, but each conveys some form of musical narrative that is both satisfying and rewarding.
Tips for Learning Triplet Patterns in Evening on the River Nile (PDF)
CLICK HERE FOR SAMPLE PAGES
Petit parley
Audio PlayerEvening on the River Nile
Folie á deux
Audio PlayerArioso varié
Audio PlayerTango ritornello
Audio Player$10.99
Additional information
| Weight | 3.5 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 9 × .13 × 12 in |
| SKU | TGM00022 |
| Level | Early Advanced |
| Pages | 24 |
| ISBN 13 | 9781792367717 |
| UPC | 850050817017 |
Nicole B. (verified owner) –
My students and I absolutely love the selection of pieces in Tom Gerou’s new Novellas Book 2. Taking us on a journey from the Middle-ages to the high seas, Tom continues to impress with his expansive knowledge, artistic ability, and unique styling. One of the students favorites is “Evening on the River Nile” which catapults the mind into such wonderful places of imagery allowing students’ imaginations to soar. From descriptive character pieces to rhythmically challenging pieces – this book has it all.
Gail Lew (verified owner) –
“Novellas, Books 1 and 2 come highly recommended. This series is a valuable library addition for the teacher who is looking for performance pieces in contemporary styles that will both inspire and motivate students. Moreover, these pieces serve as an exceptional example of accessible twenty-first century compositions that are artistic, as well as musically exciting.”—CAPMT Connect: The Journal of the California Association of Professional Music Teachers , Fall 2021 • Volume 6, Number 2, Gail Lew, Reviewer
Adam Booher, American Music Teacher (verified owner) –
“Tom Gerou’s Novellas are a welcome addition to the late-intermediate and early-advanced piano repertoire. The seven pieces from Book One and six from Book Two include works with expressive titles such as “La vie élégante,” “Vaudvillium,” and “Evening on the River Nile.” Gerou writes in a refreshing style that develops technique and explores a variety of whimsical characters and shifts in harmonic color. The musical notation is easy to read, and commentary at the beginning of each book is of particular value to teacher and student. Gerou includes an engaging paragraph for each piece, noting the stylistic influences, overall form and specific technical issues encountered. The 19th-century character piece serves as the underlying inspiration for the entire set, and Gerou covers a wide range of musical styles such as tango, jazz waltz, vaudeville and tocca- ta. Considering the varied material contained in each book, the pieces seem to work best when performed individually, rather than as a complete set. Two standouts among Gerou’s charming works are the perpetual motion movements: the flashy “Trireme Toccata” with its exciting hand-over-hand crossings and the exquisitely crafted “Moto perpetuo,” featuring easygoing arpeggios in 5/8 meter that display Gerou’s mastery of subtle harmonic and rhythmic shifts. Gerou’s Novellas engage students with sev- eral important technical challenges, such as triplet octaves against duplet accompaniment, finger legato and passages in thirds. While most of Book One is rather simple technically, a few challenging passages in Book Two pro- vide useful technical and musical challenges for the early-advanced pianist. Teachers searching for fresh, cheerful piec- es in a variety of contemporary styles will do well to consider Gerou’s Novellas. The pieces offer musical and technical value and will appeal to a wide range of students, teachers, and audiences.”—Adam Booher, American Music Teacher, April/May 2023
Alice, New Zealand (verified owner) –
Hi Tom! I am 14 years old and I live in New Zealand. I just wanted to write and let you know that I’m playing your Evening on the River Nile for my grade 6 piano exam. It’s my favourite of the pieces, and I’m having such a wonderful time learning it! I adore Evening on the River Nile, it’s completely enchanting. It is the most beautiful piece of music I’ve ever heard and I know I will love playing this all my life! I hope to be a composer when I grow up, so this piece is not only incredible to play, but an inspiration as well. If I can ever write a piece as beautiful as this, I know I would have done something great. Thank you so very much for putting a truly magnificent thing into this world. With much respect and admiration.