This treasury of beloved classical music favorites is specially arranged for hammered dulcimers by master dulcimer performer and teacher, Dr. Mark Alan Wade. A splendid compilation of familiar pieces, each one is painstakingly edited to preserve the composer’s imagination and spirit while distilled into dulcimer reductions playable with only two hammers. Enjoy playing favorites like “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” “Für Elise,” “Clair de lune,” and many more cherished titles by celebrated composers including Vivaldi, Telemann, Schubert, Mozart, Boccherini, Tchaikovsky, Saint-Saëns, Fauré, Schumann, Brahms, Satie, Haydn and more! Each gem is set in dulcimer-friendly keys fitting within a chromatic 16/15 range with the melody clearly displayed in the upper voice for intermediate players, and with the supportive chords and countermelodies in the lower voice for more advanced players. Guitar chords are added above the melodies whenever appropriate to allow you to embellish with your own chord patterns, if preferred. With 51 pieces, 12 duets, 36 composers, and a range of musical eras spanning 285 years, this book is a compendium to enjoy for a lifetime!

Reference recordings of each piece are available online, created electronically with life-like Steinway grand piano samples. This digital audio is rhythmically perfect and expressively performed with authentic interpretations that are appropriate for each era. For real audio recordings, check out my album, Serenade!