Selected and reviewed by ANDREW EALES
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Jakub Metelka has proven one of the most interesting piano composers to emerge in recent years, his educational music offering genuinely useful content embedded in attractive pieces which are enjoyable to play, and notably concise.
Metelka’s latest offering is The Secret Garden, brought to us by Bärenreiter, who previously also published his Modern Piano Studies (2019) reviewed here and Little Virtuoso (2021) reviewed here.
This new collection, suitable for early advanced players at around UK Grade 7 level, will undoubtedly further enhance Metelka’s growing international standing, and as with his previous work I found myself quickly drawn into his imaginative sound world and delighted by what I discovered within…
Modern Piano Nocturnes
Announcing themselves as “Modern Piano Nocturnes”, the fifteen pieces in Metelka’s new collection are introduced by publishers Bärenreiter:
“The album The Secret Garden contains fifteen recital pieces in simple song form, thus tying in with his successful, technically less demanding piano cycle Little Virtuoso. The individual compositions in the collection are characterised by Metelka’s unmistakable, tonally anchored melodic style, enriched with many unusual harmonies and colours, which here underlines the slightly melancholic and mysterious character of these nocturnal pieces.”
Metelka’s pieces here are certainly as refreshingly distinctive as ever. What I especially enjoy about his music is that he is able to consummately craft pieces which are memorable and immediately appealing, while eschewing all predictability and cliché. He has a rare gift.
Despite the novelty of these pieces, they all sit well under the fingers, and are a joy to play. It is clear that Metelka’s pianistic sensibilities are every bit as developed as his fertile creative personality.
In this collection, perhaps even more than before, Metelka also proves to be an enjoyable storyteller. The quirky piece titles undoubtedly set the scene, but it is in the music itself that he weaves his ultimate magic.
Here are those titles:
- The Wisp
- The Witch
- Dance of the Animated Statues
- The Crystal Chamber
- The Lake
- The Dove
- The Ancient Manor
- The Kobold
- The Nobleman’s Carriage
- The Morning Star
- Chirping
- The Squab
- The Storm
- Saying Farewell
- The Secret Garden
The stunning cover of the book mentions that there is audio online, and sure enough anyone can access and listen to this to hear for themselves the quality of these pieces. Simply visit the Bärenreiter website here.
The Publication
Bärenreiter are perhaps mostly associated with their colourful composer series of scholarly critical performing editions, but in recent years they have also contributed some superbly presented educational publications from previously unknown composers, their three Metelka publications being among the finest of these.
Here, as with previous Metelka volumes, the characterful illustrations are by the excellent Andrea Tachezy, who has created a truly lovely cover as well as a few additional black and white illustrations within.
These are used to prevent unnecessary page turns, but certainly also add to the sense of creative imagination underpinning this publication. Bearing in mind the level of these pieces, it’s perhaps worth adding that these are never too childish, and will be enjoyed by players of all ages.
The presentation of the scores is naturally impeccable, with spacious notation and pristine fonts offset against luxury cream paper. Suitable fingering suggestions are included throughout.
Closing Thoughts
This is one of those publications which proves to be an absolute joy to review. Every aspect of the publication itself oozes quality, while the music within is fresh, enjoyable, and a genuinely worthwhile addition to the developing pianist’s repertoire.
I am mindful that having given positive reviews to the previous publications, they have yet to feature heavily in my teaching or in the educational piano repertoire here in the UK. Collections of music by a single composer can be a hard sell, but to be honest I anticipate playing and teaching Metelka’s music far more than I have so far.
The Secret Garden is such a superb addition to his published output that his reputation can only grow exponentially at this point. Superb.
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