Selected and reviewed by Andrew Eales
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I am often asked to recommend a fairly basic Christmas piano book, suitable for Elementary players at around Grade 1 to Grade 2 level, with a selection of traditional carols along with a few more contemporary favourites, and in straightforward, well-crafted piano-friendly arrangements.
Within my teaching practice, Pianoworks Christmas has proven to be that perennial chestnut, and in a crowded market remains my all-time top recommendation for a basic, no-frills Christmas piano songbook.
Although part of the superb Pianoworks series of books for older beginners, the collection has no links to the actual method itself other than branding, and of course the fact that it appeals to adult players as much as it does to youngsters.
Pianoworks Christmas has proven to be hugely and consistently popular with players of all ages, year after year. It’s simply a great book, which essentially reviews itself. But here are my thoughts on it, sample pages, and a full list of its contents…
The Songlist
Written and arranged by Janet and Alan Bullard, Pianoworks Christmas offers easy-to-play arrangements of 24 festive favourites, mixing traditional carols, Christmas songs, and modern classics.
The words are included for all the songs, including for the verses. And the Bullards have also provided interesting background information about each song, all of which adds value to the publication, no doubt contributing to its popularity.
Without further ado, here is the list of included titles:
- Away in a manger
- Ding dong! merrily on high
- Go, tell it on the mountain
- God rest you merry, gentlemen
- Good King Wenceslas
- Hark! the herald angels sing
- It came upon the midnight clear
- O come, all ye faithful
- O little town of Bethlehem
- On Christmas night all Christians sing
- Once, in royal David’s city
- Rocking Carol
- See amid the winter’s snow
- Silent night
- The first Nowell
- The holly and the ivy
- We three kings of Orient are
- While shepherds watched their flocks
- Jingle, bells
- Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
- Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town
- Walking in the Air
- Winter Wonderland
- We wish you a merry Christmas
The more traditional favourites appear first, and are written in a vein that respects their choral origins while providing neat, easy to play pianistic writing.
Here’s an authorised sample, which also illustrates the stunning presentation that runs through the whole book:
While these arrangements each occupy a single page, the latter part of the book (from Jingle Bells onwards) offers two-page arrangements of the more contemporary favourites, and here the level moves towards Grade 2.
I have found that these ‘must-play’ aspirational tunes consistently inspire players to move forward in their reading, technique, and engagement. And it’s a strength of the collection that while including the usual public domain material, these superb arrangements of popular hits are included.
Once again, here’s an example, the first half to Rudolph…
What makes this book great?
Well firstly, the variety and choice of material here is just excellent, featuring carefully arranged traditional carols for early elementary players, as well as the six contemporary songs. The superbly accessible (yet authentic) version of Walking in the Air is always a particular favourite.
Secondly, Alan Bullard again proves his chops as an arranger par excellence. His simplifications are always comfortable to play, true to the tone of the originals, brilliantly capturing the musical essence of each song.
Some arrangements of carols found elsewhere seem to have been adapted from church choir versions, with awkward four-part harmonies, and little thought for elementary piano technique. Here, though, we find truly idiomatic piano writing, and yet which is no less faithful to the spirit of each carol, maintaining familiar harmonic colours rather than diminishing them.
The Bullards’ teaching expertise and playing experience are as evident here as ever, not least from the perfect balance of helpful fingering included throughout. And as one would expect from OUP Music, the presentation is absolutely superb too. What more could we ask for?
So there it is! If you are looking for a no-nonsense collection of great Christmas arrangements, I think that Pianoworks Christmas is a runaway winner!
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