Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales
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Faber Music’s Piano Player series of themed collections for late intermediate players have been a consistent highlight of the past two years, each deliciously presented volume sporting the distinctive artwork of Edward Bawden, and proving especially apt and popular with adult music enthusiasts.
The full series has been reviewed here on Pianodao, and with consistent praise. Not only so, but adult learners have been bringing the books to their lessons at my studio, and shown themselves similarly keen.
The latest addition to the series is Classical Chillout, and can be welcomed with particular enthusiasm, and not just by existing fans of the series. This new collection could also be an answer to the prayers of those still searching for the perfect, if elusive, mix of relaxing piano solos.
So let’s breathe in, and take a mindful look…
Beautiful and Relaxing
Classical Chillout brings together “20 Beautiful and Relaxing pieces, selected for the intermediate pianist”, and they are:
- Nos [Balmorhea]
- Vladimir’s Blues [Max Richter]
- Efterskalv [Vargkvint]
- Singing Sun [Peter Sculthorpe]
- Sarabande (HWV437) [Georg Friedrich Händel]
- To a Wild Rose [Edward MacDowell]
- Still [Ola Gjeilo]
- Prelude in C (BWV846) [Johann Sebastian Bach]
- Balcony Scene [Craig Armstrong]
- Ruslpóstur [Jóhann Jóhannsson]
- Pavane Op.50 [Gabriel Fauré]
- At Dawn [Hania Rani]
- Island II [Olivia Belli]
- Armellodie [Chilly Gonzales]
- Reminiscence [Johannes Bornlöf]
- River Flows in You [Yiruma]
- Gnossienne No.3 [Erik Satie]
- By the Still Waters [Amy Beach]
- I Giorni [Ludovico Einaudi]
- Portrait Gallery [Luke Howard]
This is an eye-catching list for several reasons.
First of all, there are several “big hitters” in the list which I initially assumed must have appeared in the series previously. Plugging the piece titles into Pianodao’s search engine, I found that in fact the only repeat appearance is from Bach’s Prelude in C. Collectors of these books will thus no doubt give a warm welcome to the likes of I Giorni, River Flows in You, Vladimir’s Blues and Satie’s Gnossienne No.3.
Secondly, there is plenty of less-familiar material on offer here, and playing through the collection I found plenty of fresh appeal. I am particularly pleased to see the appearance of Olivia Belli, whose Sol Novo album from which Island II comes happens to be my favourite original piano release of recent years. (Oh, but please can we have a folio of the full album?)
And thirdly, while this series doesn’t attempt to offer authoritative scholarly performing scores, the inclusion of some beloved classics in this collection gives it a depth and variety that it might otherwise miss. All except the Fauré (a simplified version) are originals, and useful to find included in this context.
The Publication
Readers may remember from my previous reviews of this series that the books themselves are presented with impeccable artistic taste, matt covers sporting details from the Edward Bawden collection housed in Bedford’s Cecil Higgins Art Gallery. As always, an A4 colour reproduction of the artwork is also included within, which can be framed should you wish.
The scores are spaciously and clearly engraved on white paper. Some include fingerings, as is usual with this series, but disappointingly a few of the new scores don’t.
The credits page reassuringly advises us that:
“New music transcriptions are provided and approved by the composers themselves.”
Overall then, and as ever with this series, the publication is one to treasure, made to last, and unlikely to lose its timeless appeal any time soon.
Closing Thoughts
While I have continued to commend this growing series, I have to admit that this latest addition has taken me somewhat by surprise, further exceeding my expectations. In fact, of all the titles in the series, this may prove to be the one I return to most frequently.
For those who enjoy Faber’s Piano Player series it is an obvious must-have, but for those looking for a lovely collection of more relaxed pieces it also jumps to the top of my pile of recommendations. And in so crowded a market, that’s quite something!
Musically rewarding, superbly presented, keenly priced, and a genuinely useful addition to the teaching studio… I am seriously impressed.
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