Wandering through museums is one of composer Naoko Ikeda's favorite pastimes. This intriguing piano solo collection was inspired by multiple visits to museums around the world and is her homage to her favorite art masterpieces, including Rousseau's The Sleeping Gypsy, Degas' Class de dance, van Gogh's The Starry Night and Paul Klee's New Harmony. Titles: Valse Innocent · The Jungle · Danse en rose · Nocturne of the Stars · Joyful Love · Dreamy Hues.

A cheerful, upbeat duet inspired by the beauty of the New York City skyline as seen from a springtime walk through Central Park. Both parts take turns playing the jaunty, singable theme, making this a truly musical collaboration. Key: C Major.

Dance of the Unicorn is a light, graceful solo with a beautiful, singable melody. In C Major, with frequent harmonic shifts.

Ikeda spent 3 years composing Duets in Color, a set of 24 vibrant, elegant piano duets in major and minor keys. The duets are divided into two volumes (Book 1 duets are all in major keys; Book 2 in minor), and pianists are encouraged to play them in pairs as well as separately. The parts are balanced beautifully; both inner and outer voices sing with clarity, and unexpected rhythmic and tonal surprises abound. Both volumes are a joy to play!

Ikeda spent 3 years composing Duets in Color, a set of 24 vibrant, elegant piano duets in major and minor keys. The duets are divided into two volumes (Book 1 are all in major keys; Book 2 in minor), and pianists are encouraged to play them in pairs as well as separately. The parts are balanced beautifully, both inner and outer voices sing with clarity, and unexpected rhythmic and tonal surprises abound. Both volumes are a joy to play!

A soft, bluesy atmosphere is the inspiration for Foggy Blues, which reflects the composer's love of the American art form. Mellow, inviting, and incredibly satisfying to play!

An enchanting, playful waltz in A Major, with an unexpected mid-section in C Major. Teaching concepts may include pedaling, LH jumps and triads, and long phrases.

Smooth, sparse, and sinuous - this jazz-tinged duet will thrill and delight. Includes an optional improvisatory section. Key: C Minor.

Letter in the Sky is highly unique, in that it functions as two separate solos (both Primo and Secondo), but when played together becomes a very beautiful duet suitable for elementary level students. Ikeda suggests that the teacher question the players before they perform: What kind of letter would you write to the sky? Key: C Major.

Manhattan Swing was inspired by thoughts and enthusiasm for an upcoming visit to the Big Apple, and was premiered by the composer at MTNA 2012. It is joyful, catchy and optimistic, with just the right amount of jazzy harmonic and rhythmic interest! Key: C Major.

This brief, beautiful collection was inspired by flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer. Miyabi is a Japanese aesthetic meaning elegant or refined. Ikeda interweaves traditional Japanese modes with thoroughly modern harmonies throughout, resulting in a set of pieces that may be performed as a suite, or individually.

Written especially for students with dramatic inclinations! The piece begins with an ethereal atmosphere and briefly blossoms into a passionate solo before returning to its dreamlike start. Key: D Minor.

Repeating eighth notes in the Secondo portray a gentle rain, escorted elegantly by a melancholy melody and a slow, descending bass line. A wonderfully seductive piece. Key: B-flat Major.

Naoko Ikeda's Seasonal Scenes at the Piano comprise of five descriptive pieces, one for each season, plus a special Prelude Perennial which can be played at at any time of the year. Each piece represents a short animated story; all are wonderful teaching pieces. Titles: Velvet Winter · Spring Breeze · Waiting for Summer · March of the Jack-o-Lanterns.

Enter an enchanted musical world with these 6 wonderful, lyrical pieces written especially for the elementary student. All but the final piece feature excellent teacher accompaniments. Each comes with short, imaginative descriptions. Titles: Castle in the Clouds · The Enchanted Kingdom · Floating Flowers · The Playful Unicorn · Royal Waltz · The Wizard's Wand.

Two graceful companion pieces depicting an imagined romance between the moon and the sea. Discerning use of rubato, arpeggiated chords, and unexpected harmonic changes make these pieces especially evocative.

Two pretty and ethereal duets presented in the sometimes formidable key of F#(Gb). The two duets are called Evening Star and Morning Star and each depicts the gradation of the sky from sunset to sunrise using enharmonic tonality. Romantic and a joy to play!

In this lovely duet, the Primo sings a carefree melody that soars over the Secondo's easy syncopated beat, evoking happy memories in one of the most romantic cities in the world. Key: C Major.