Kevin Costley, the composer for whom you may submit interview questions, has written a number of books and pieces for all levels of students. His most recent pieces include Summer Portraits and Turkey Talk.
In this post, I wanted to share my favorite pieces by Kevin. In addition, I have asked Kevin to share which pieces are his favorites and why. Since Kevin has such a wonderful way with words in sharing what is behind the music, I wanted him to share first:
What are your favorite pieces and why?
Lost Star – Once on the National Federation list, Lost Star is one of my first pieces published. I enjoyed the imaginary experience of writing Lost Star. One night looking up at the moon and sky, I saw a cluster of beautiful, bright shining stars. Then I looked miles away and saw one star all alone. I then thought as a child might think, “How sad! That little star is all alone. He is lost in the universe.” The next day, I put my thoughts together for on paper. The late elementary piece is patterned and uses much of the keyboard. The pedal extends the ‘lost and airy’ sounds. This piece can be played by a first grader or a 13 year old. Both students can sound sophisticated performing this piece. One teacher told me, “The rhythms are very forgiving.” There is much latitude for interpretation.
Mighty Eagle – This piece, often refered to by others as a dynamic Native Indian piece was also a National Federation favorite. One day in a national park, I saw a huge, soaring eagle fly and sour above the mountains and into the valleys. I was captivated by it’s beautfy and grandeur. I began to hear some big, dignified sounds in my head. Little did I know that I would write an expressive introduction and powerful sounding “big chief’ sounding theme. The eagle sours with the flowing eighth notes in the B theme, then is followed again by the return of the A the B theme, with a five measure riveting surprise where the eagle captivates all who look at him in awe! The piece returns to the A theme and has a very soft forlorn fading and lingering ending. Then there is awesome silence. A proficient intermediate student can sound like a “master” at the piano with this piece! I still like Mighty Eagle as much today as I did years ago when I wrote it.
A New Beginning – This piece was written affirming my love and admiration for my wife, Dana. This romantic piece has a lyrical melody with a very simple left hand accompaniment with double notes. The melody leads the piece to the conclusion. The piece resembles gentle, lullaby music that could be recorded and played while a baby is put to bed. After the B theme, the return of the A theme accelerates just a little with celebration with a differering left hand pattern. The emotional appeal engages both the player and audience to the winding down ending of the piece where the melody (a short theme) is repeated several times at different octaves on the piano. The last four measures has a pulsating repeating harmony note which is commonly not used in pieces today. The last tones are held until they almost die away. Once again, the final silence is golden. Everytime I play this piece, it gives me hope for the future, knowing that all tomorrows can be bright and peaceful.
My favorites:
Mighty Eagle, Early Intermediate
I chose this before Kevin shared with me that it was his favorite too! The introduction to this piece has a mysterious and somewhat fragile sound. It is followed by a very regal and dignified melody as the first theme. Left hand figures are all fifths and the RH has a few sixteenths that can be taught by rote if need be. The B section features the “eagle soaring” as an eight note pattern is introduced then echoed an octave higher. The soaring continues until the piece culminates into the climax using fourths in the RH and fifths in the LH. The original theme is repeated and skips to the ending where the eagle begins to drift away. A student wanting an emotional and dramatic performance will love this piece!
My Bold Argentina, Intermediate Duet
A few of my high school students performed this and had such a great time even though it was easier than their current level. The piece is very dramatic and has many opportunities for students to play with great passion and enthusiasm. I especially appreciate the small moments of silence after staccatos that really grab the attention of the audience. This is a fun, passionate piece!
Winter Portraits, Intermediate
There are a number of great pieces in this book, so I will highlight just a few. In all, I was impressed with how each of the pieces really captured something musically about winter. I very vividly felt the cool wind on my face, or the snow falling around me as I played these pieces.
I felt the chill of the winter air as I played The Cold Winter Wind. There are many passages of beautiful sounding patterns which will make the piece easy for a student to learn and memorize. Both hands move around the entire piano in this piece making it an impressive recital piece, but the gentle sounding patterns make it a great piece for the emotive student as well. At the end of the piece, I wanted to say, “Ah…” It was breathtaking.
Winter Shadows has a beautifu melody accompanied by very nice sounding harmonic sequences which teenage students will especially love. This piece has a melody that the student and teacher will hum the rest of the day!
Winterborn was my favorite piece in this collection. Written in the key of Eb, it may seem to be one of the most difficult pieces for a student. Yet, its compelling melody and beautiful harmonies will invite any student to rise to the occasion. The piece is about a newborn lamb or the “winterborn.” It sounds a cold, yet peaceful; chilly, yet inviting. It reminded me of what music might be playing as Mary gently laid her sleeping baby in a manger on that cold, winter night.
There were several other more lively pieces in this collection. Perhaps it was the mood I was in at the time, but those were the ones that spoke to me and have appealed to my students the most.
I just want to comment on how much my students love Mighty Eagle! It is a sure winner in my studio.
Thank your Dr. Costley, for taking the time to connect with teachers and students in this way!
-Susan Paradis