The Spooky Suite

The Witch's Brew starts the suite with spooky melody in compound time. The key is firmly in D minor, with lots of suggested dynamics allowing some freedom of interpretation for the player. The difficulty is around Initial Grade level.

The Phantom's Waltz follows with a creepy chromatic melody split between the left and right hands. Featuring the classic oom-pah-pah waltz rhythm, think of a haunted merry-go-round when playing and interpreting this piece! Also in D minor, as a little nod (that I couldn't resist including) to 'The Phantom of the Opera'! The difficulty is around Grade 1 level.

The Siren's Song features a melody from a traditional folk song: 'The Mermaid', only transformed into a mournful version through transposition into the key of G minor. A slow piece, with lots of chords, dramatic dynamic shifts and hand position changes exploring a wide range of the piano, in particularly the high keys. The difficulty is around a Grade 2-3 level.

The Headless Horseman ends the suite with a piece inspired by one of my favourite Burgmüller piano pieces ‘La Chevaleresque’. It's the opening staccato quavers that are reminiscent of 'La Chevaleresque', with a Halloween twist. This is a fast piece - The Headless Horseman is on the chase! In the key of C minor, with lots of octaves and dramatic dynamics, as well as detailed articulation. The difficulty is around a Grade 4-5 level.