Twelve Excursions + 1 for The Young Pianist

About the Book

COMMENTARY ON THE TWELVE EXCURSIONS PLUS ONE FOR THE YOUNG PIANIST

The “Twelve Excursions” may be studied and performed at many levels during the student’s development of both contemporary and traditional styles of piano music. These pieces range from beginner’s level to intermediate and advanced levels of difficulties in relationship to the technical, interpretive, rhythmic and tempo requirements for performance. The harmonies at times are very conventional and also very dissonant in certain pieces such as “Skipping Through the Woods” and “Let Us Begin” which require careful voicing. The tempo markings are approximate and most pieces sound well at different tempos. This is similar to the Baroque period view of no tempo indications for most compositions. The study and performance of the “Excursions” will expand the tonal palate of the young pianist and possibly a taste for composition.

would like to quote George Anson, piano critic for the piano publication CLAVIER, whom I believe sums up the “Excursions,” “Highly imaginative, the various activities, moods and musical descriptions portrayed with wit and cleverness. Frequently quite dissonant, very pianistic, the music aptly fits the individual titles. Perfect for the sophisticated, intelligent, and inquiring young pianist.”

About the Author

DR. LEONIDAS SARAKATSANNIS has a rich background as pianist, pedagogue, composer and conductor. He was born in Newport, Kentucky in 1929 of Greek immigrant parents. Dr. Sarakatsannis received the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Piano Performance, Pedagogy and Literature under the noted Russian pedagogue Madame Olga Conus and composition with Polish composer Dr. Felix Labunski from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Dr. Sarakatsannis has the distinction of being the first pianist to receive the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the College Conservatory of Music. Dr. Sarakatsannis has performed many solo piano recitals and chamber music programs in the United States, Guam, Saipan, Hawaii, as well as five recitals in Japan. He has performed as piano soloist many times with symphony orchestras including three performances with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra under the batons of Eric Kunzel and Thor Johnson, the Florida Orchestra of Orlando, the Florida Philharmonic, the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music Symphony, the University of Florida Symphony and many others. Earlier in his career he performed in the original Italian Asolo Theatre adjacent to the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida and the Delius Festival in Jacksonville, Florida. He has been praised as a “pianist for his vitality of tone and sympathetic comprehension, and as pianist of profound musicianship,” “Pianist shows true artistry at UF concert.” Dr. Sarakatsannis has been selected for inclusion in the Marquis Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in America and is a biographee in the International Who’s Who in Music and Musician’s Directory, Cambridge, England. He has served as Chairman of the Department of Music at the University of Central Florida and the University of Guam and as Chairman of the Piano Department at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Dr. Sarakatsannis served as Director of Applied Music at Northern Kentucky University. Since 1994 he has been an Adjunct Professor of Music at the State College of Florida in Bradenton, Florida.