Character Pieces in Romantic Style

By Martha Mier

Character pieces are short piano works that most often communicate a single emotion or idea, such as the joy of spring or the image of a child falling asleep. Composers first began writing character pieces in the Romantic period as a personal, inward-looking form of musical expression, on a smaller scale than sonatas of the Classical period. These new character pieces emulate this important art form and are carefully graded for students at the late elementary to early intermediate level. Some are bold in character, while others are lyrical and introspective. Students will enjoy exploring these pieces and using them to develop musical, imaginative playing.