The Christmas Suite Collection: Intermediate to Late Intermediate Arrangements of Holiday Favorites for Solo Piano

I played through these arrangements and just didn't like any of them (except for The First Noel). The rest lacked a nice melodic prelude, middle, or end. They weren't pleasing to the ear. I also bought Alfred's "Solos for Christmas" -50 advanced arrangements (Not on Amazon - sorry). I LOVE IT> The pieces are so beautiful. Yes on the advanced side but work at it like I did - much enjoyment. Just wanted to share! Merry Christmas!

These pieces are far to “grand” for playing at home. Extended cadences all over the place, lengthy intros for that leads to a piece that doesn’t go anywhere for long enough before the the way too long closing. Not a fan - but, if you cut enough of the rubbish out and play the core of the piece and add some musicality they are palatable enough. Bought this to sight read and easy play for guests this season. It will work, but wouldn’t have bought it if I had seen more of the pieces. Each piece sounds like it should be the beginning of a Pentecostal service rather than relaxing fun music that is easy listening.

This is a great arrangement book. Most songs can be played by an intermediate pianist and there are some songs you can sight-read. There are several different arrangers and some I like better than others. Some have nice melodies with key changes that are quite melodic, but others are various on a theme with dissonance, sharps and flats, etc. I guess for me, I tends to like the lyrical songs arranged by Cindy Berry and Sharon Aaronson.There are repeats of songs... like there are 3 arrangements of "What Child Is This?", but, with 27 songs, that's not an issue. There are some classics and others likke "Polish Lullaby, El est ne, and lo, how a rose e'er blooming". I've enjoyed this and would recommend it.You'll find fingerings that are helpful. Good for intermediate but not for a beginner.

This is a great arrangement book. Most songs can be played by an intermediate pianist if they practice like they should. And any advanced pianist can sight-read this thing, but not so easily that it's boring. It keeps you quick on the draw with some witty tempos, key changes, and several sharps or flats on some songs. It's lyrical and lovely, but there are some more staccato, lively pieces as well.Some of the songs inside include classics like Angels we have heard on high, what child is this, away in a manger, Good Christian men rejoice, and Jolly Old St. Nicholas. Some are the well-known classics of a more global Christmas repertoire that Americans who really love Christmas still remember hearing through childhood, like Polish Lullaby and Il est ne. There are many arrangements of the typical favorites, but if you need an arrangement of a carol or song that isn't as "overdone," you will find it in this book, for example, Coventry Carol, How Great Our Joy, Bells are Ringing.Lovely, lovely book. Well done. So much fun to play. I recommend it!

I just got this book tonight, sat down with a glass of wine and ran through the songs. These arrangements are interesting with great chords, tempos, and very interesting counterpoints to the melodies. For instance the arrangement of "Angels We have Heard on High" is in 3/4 time rather than the standard, plodding 4/4. I immediately thought--no! what's this about? But this arrangement turned out to be great, I love it!We all know these tired melodies. I was not looking forward to playing Christmas songs. I only bought this book because one of my friends shamed me for not knowing any Christmas songs. haha! But these are designed to highlight the keyboard instrument--they are NOT for sing-a-longs. They will make lovely background music at cocktail parties.I think these are pegged correctly at "intermediate" level.

Love this book. I have found so many beautiful arrangements, and for the intermediate level pianist, not too difficult with a little practice.

This collection includes traditional favorites, with some interesting twists. However, there is definitely no "advanced" material here. In fact, many pieces would qualify for early intermediate. While I did enjoy some of the material, quite a number of pieces were too easy to add anything, stylistically or harmonically, to my holiday piano books collection. I would suggest this book to an early- to mid-intermediate player without an extensive Christmas book collection, or to someone looking for a Christmas compendium somewhat in the vein of "A Solo A Sunday".

A little too advanced for me, but I hope to master it. Lovely arrangements.

I was looking for a book immediately so I went for the kindle version for reading on my iPad. The arrangements are nice and easily sight readable for an advanced player but not too uninteresting. However, the kindle version is not sharply in focus and is slightly hazy. Readable but not 100% sharp which is why I have only given 4 stars.

I was looking for some fresh, yet appealing arrangements to use for Christmas Eve prelude music. This book was perfect for what I wanted.

This is my "go to" Christmas music book! I just love it! The arrangements are lovely and so enjoyable to play!

Lovely book with refreshingly different arrangements. Have been on the lookout for a new Christmas book for a couple of years and am very happy to have found this one. There are a few I don't know as it is quite American, but that doesn't put me off. I am around grade 5 and it suits me well.

Has many classic songs! Perfect for Christmas