Ep. 36- Before Debussy: Music by Marina Alcolea

Students often fall in love with pieces like Clair de lune long before they have the technique to play them well. And as teachers, that puts us in a tricky spot. We don’t want to dampen that enthusiasm—but we also know those pieces are, at the moment, out of reach. And handing them a simplified version rarely captures what drew them in to begin with. In this episode, I explore a collection that offers a better solution. Marina Alcolea’s "Piano au bord de l’eau"" introduces students to the sound world of French Impressionism through music that is approachable, pattern-based, and genuinely musical—without feeling like a watered-down version of Debussy. If you’re looking for repertoire that meets students where they are—while still honoring the music they’re drawn to—this is a collection worth exploring. Les vagues berceuses (from Piano au bord de l’eau) Marina Alcolea Elementary Digital Download Le chant de l’eau (from Piano au bord de l’eau) Marina Alcolea Elementary Digital Download Lac miroir (from Piano au bord de l’eau) Marina Alcolea Elementary Digital Download Gare sous la pluie (from Piano au bord de l’eau) Marina Alcolea Late Elementary Digital Download Néréides (from Piano au bord de l’eau) Marina Alcolea Late Intermediate Digital Download