Rosalind Carlson

Australian Piano Pieces for Children

Home > By Composition Type > Australian Piano Pieces for Children

Instrumental Music - Piano

"Australian Piano Pieces for Children" - 2001

1. "Four Canons for Twins"

No 1   "Happy" in C major (23 sec.)
No 2   "Dance & Skip" in E minor (16 sec.)
No 3   "Mirror Reflections" in F major (18 sec.)
No 4   "The Crying Earth" in E minor (25 sec.)

These are simple, short little pieces, using a range of dynamics, phrasing and legato. The degree of difficulty is up to Preliminary level.

2. "The Dancing Brolgas" (duration approx. 40 sec.)

This stately, graceful Australian bird Rosalind has endeavoured to describe in the music. The Brolgas bow and bob backwards and forwards, and leap on their long legs.

The degree of difficulty is approximately Grade 1 / Grade 2 level.

Note: The St. Cecilia School of Music has published "The Dancing Brolgas" in their Grade 1 Piano Examination Book (2011).

3. "The Speckled Chicken" (duration approx. 1:15)

The original opening four-note motif was inspired by the well-known pianist Meriel Owen. Meriel was staying with the composer for a number of days while she adjudicated the Dural Eisteddfod. On the first morning when Meriel awoke, she told the composer that this four-note figure reminded her of the crowing rooster that she could hear. The composer's response was to write a short piece for piano using this motif. Hence the creation of "The Speckled Chicken".

This strutting Hamburgh rooster is most handsome. On his plumage, which is white, he has black circular spots called spangles. He is called a Silver Spangled Hamburgh.

In the music there is a "crowing" figure and a "shaking feathers" figure of staccato semiquavers. Also some interesting dotted rhythms.

The degree of difficulty is approximately Grade 3.

Availability: Sheet music is available from Flexi-Fingers or the Australian Music Centre - Sydney. To order from Flexi-Fingers, see the order form.

CDs and Scores are available for viewing at the library of the Australian Music Centre, including the above work. Follow the link below for a complete listing of works by Rosalind Carlson available from the library:

http://www.amcoz.com.au/opac/name.aspx?id=3411

Home > By Composition Type > Australian Piano Pieces for Children