Everybody Should Enjoy the Classics

Showtime Classics arranged by Faber and Faber brings some well-known favorites to a younger audience.  These are arrangements of well-known and well-loved classics at an elementary level allow younger or older beginner students to be able to play and enjoy familiar tunes.  For reference, the Showtime series corresponds with Faber's Piano Adventures method Level 2A.

You will find these titles:
The Merry Widow Waltz (from the operetta The Merry Widow) by Lehar
Spring (from The Four Seasons) by Vivaldi
Suitor's Song (from the operetta The Gypsy Baron) by J. Strauss, Jr. with teacher duet.
Canon by Pachelbel with teacher duet
Egyptian Ballet Dance (from the opera Samson & Delilah) by Saing-Saens - with teacher duet
Minuet (op. 14, No.1) by Paderewski - with teacher duet
Theme from Symphony No. 1 (Third Movement, "Frere Jacques" theme) by Mahler - with teacher duet
Prince of Denmarks' March (Trumpet Voluntary) by Clarke -with teacher duet (the video only includes the A section of this ABA piece)
Liebestraum by Liszt -with teacher duet
Theme from Don Giovanni (La ci darem la mano) by Mozart - with teacher duet

Also included is a dictionary of classical terms and a music dictionary.
Ballet, minuet, movement, opera, operetta, symphony, theme, voluntary, waltz are all defined.

Quick Look:
p, mp, mf, f, crescendo, diminuendo
3/4, 4/4
accent, accidental, 8va, ritard., slur, staccato, tie, triplet (eighth note), first and second endings, pedal marking, pedal change, repeat signs.

This book begins to include more hands playing together than the previous book.  Most often, there are only two notes at a time (whether that is split between the hands or both in one hand).  There are occasionally accompaniment intervals in the left hand.  This book includes a mix of very familiar, like Pachelbel's Canon, and not so familiar.  This allows the students to become exposed to other music they may not know otherwise.  Each arrangement is fun.  Because of the teacher duets, I often use the book for sight-reading for more advanced students.