Compositions
As a composer, Robyn Wells McDonnell has written piano solos of various levels of difficulty. Robyn has also arranged pieces for piano ensembles, including duets, trios, quartets, and multiple-player pieces. These include hymns, piano trios, and medleys of various styles.
Earth and All Stars
The contemporary hymn set for one piano, four hands.
Song To The Moon
This trio for piano, violin, and cello depicts the dusk of the day, when the birds are singing their final songs. You can hear the mourning doves, the robins, and an owl as they signal the close of day. Then, the tonality shifts as the moon rises over the mountain, bathing the countryside in its soft light.
Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
The long-time favorite hymn arranged for one piano, four hands. This also incorporates a quote from Bach’s “Sheep May Safely Graze” worked into the fabric of the hymn
The Quilting Circle: Book One
Five piano solos inspired by classic quilt patterns, for intermediate to early advanced pianists.
Contents: Double Wedding Ring, Flower Basket, Log Cabin, Wholecloth, Irish Chain
Hear these pieces on YouTube:
Irish Chain
Wholecloth Quilt
Log Cabin
Flower Basket
Double Wedding Ring
The Quilting Circle: Book Two
Five piano solos depicting well-known quilt patterns and concepts, for intermediate to early advanced pianists.
Contents: Lone Star, Friendship, Crazy, Memory, Patchwork
Hear these pieces on YouTube:
Patchwork
Crazy
Lone Star
Friendship
Memory
The Quilting Circle: Book Three
Eight piano solos celebrating Hawaiian quilts and the music of the Hawaiian Islands, for late intermediate to advanced pianists.
Contents: Pineapple, Bird of Paradise, Heliconia, Honu, Plumeria, Monstera Leaf, Hibiscus, Aloha
Hear these pieces on YouTube:
Monstera
Pineapple
Aloha
Honu
Plumeria
Heliconia
Hibiscus
Bird of Paradise
The Quilting Circle: Book Four
Seven piano solos inspired by traditional quilt patterns, for early to late elementary pianists.
Contents: Mariner’s Compass, Counting Stars, Jacob’s Ladder, Grandmother’s Fan, Flying Geese, Leaves, Attic Window
Hear these pieces on YouTube:
Jacob’s Ladder
Leaves
Grandmother’s Fan
Attic Window
Flying Geese
Mariner’s Compass
Counting Stars>
Sonatina in B-Flat Major
Robyn's Sonatina in Bb Major, Homage to Muzio Clementi has been on the Treasure Valley Music Teachers’ Association list of required repertoire for the annual Sonatina Festival for two years (2016: first movement, 2017: third movement.) This piece has proven to be challenging and exciting for students to learn and perform!
Robyn says:
"This sonatina is a tribute to the wonderful and essential musical contributions of Muzio Clementi to the world of piano literature. His sonatas and sonatinas are ideal representatives of the Classical period in structure, style, and musicality. Clementi challenged all of us to have strong technique, clear understanding of phrasing, the art of articulation, dynamic vitality and range, and he encouraged a sense of fun.
It is my desire to pay homage to Clementi by trying to write a sonatina in his style, using classical forms and structure, incorporating technical challenges for young pianists, and stressing musicality with phrasing and dynamics. It is my hope that this pieces will also encourage fun at the keyboard!
Each movement graduates in level of difficulty, so that the piano student will be challenged in new ways in each succeeding movement."
Hear an Excerpt:
Mvt I: Allegro
Mvt II: Andante
Mvt III: Rondo Vivace
Preview the score
Barcarolle
The Barcarolle was inspired by Robyn's time in Italy and has been performed all over the United States. It has also been recorded on her Italian and American CDs.
Preview the score
Tarantella
The Tarantella was inspired by Robyn's time in Italy and has been performed all over the United States. It has also been recorded on her Italian and American CDs.
Preview the score
Suite Kaua’i
Three pieces for the advanced pianist, depicting the beauty, serenity, and majesty of the island of Kaua'i. Kaua'i Sunset, Soft Island Rain, and Na Pali (The Cliffs.)
Preview the score
I Surrender All / ’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
This arrangement of two classic hymns is for Piano Duet (one piano, four hands.) Each player gets the spotlight with the melodies, and the two hymns are interwoven in a beautiful way. A lyrical and soothing adaptation of familiar hymn tunes.
Preview the score
Praise To The Lord, the Almighty
One of the great hymn tunes of all time is arranged here for Piano Duet (one piano, four hands.) This is a more difficult arrangement, for advanced pianists. Three verses of the hymn allow for a variety of rhythmic and melodic variation, with each pianist having a chance to shine.
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Staircase Sonatina
In this early-level three-movement sonatina, beginning students can explore the keyboard in ascending and descending patterns, imitating the climbing and descending of stairs. Steps and skips, dynamic changes, and rhythms are incorporated to paint the scene in each movement.
Hear these pieces on YouTube:
I: Walking Up the Stairs, Jumping Down
II: Skipping Stairs Two at a Time
III: Sliding Down the Stairs
Preview the score
Piano Trio No. 1
Piano Trio No. 1 by Robyn Wells McDonnell-- Recitative and Aria
This Trio for piano, violin, and cello begins with a Baroque-style recitative, dramatic and in a minor key, highlighting the voices of all three instruments. It moves without pause into the Aria, which is more Romantic in style. Lush melody and resonant harmonies echo slow movements in some of Schumann’s works.
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Yellow Bird
The traditional Jamaican melody is arranged for Piano Trio (one piano, six hands.) The rhythms are traditionally syncopated, which provides challenge, but the trio is accessible to young students. There is more fun to be had with the addition of a rhythm instrument (I use a shake egg) which students can incorporate while playing!
Preview the score
Sonatina Quarantina:
A Piano Solo For Our Times
Three movements of simple jazz style, for early-grade pianists. Click links below to hear these pieces on YouTube!
The Clean the Keys Boogie
The Quarantine Blues
The Masked Bop
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