Early Advanced Repertoire – Page 2

Lang Lang • Piano Book

Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales
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When The Lang Lang Piano Book appeared in 2019 as a deluxe hardback publication from Faber Music, I described it as ‘sumptuous’. In the years since, several who come for lessons with me have enjoyed Lang Lang’s outstanding selection of popular classics and lesser-known pieces.

The original Artist Approved Collector’s Edition is now being replaced by the new Encore Edition, including scores of four additional pieces which appeared on the extended version of Lang Lang’s DG recording of the same name. This review similarly replaces my original one with an update that considers the publication in its new form.

The full list of pieces will appear later in this review (see below). But let me say from the outset that it’s a great list, and that I am sure that many will enjoy the Lang Lang Piano Book and welcome it as a strong anthology for early advanced players, the bulk of the material suitable at around UK Grades 6-8.

Alexis Ffrench’s ‘Classical Soul’

Pianodao Music Library

Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales
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Alexis Ffrench has long described himself on his website as a “classical-soul pioneer”, but I think it is with his most recent recordings that his unique style has most distinctly come of age.

The aptly-named Classical Soul Vol.1 was released as a 21-track album in late 2024, including 15 new compositions interleaved with short, reverent cover versions of five soul classics: Killing Me Softly with his Song (Roberta Flack), A Change is Gonna Come (Sam Cooke), At last (Etta James), I Say a Little Prayer (Aretha Franklin) and Ain’t No Sunshine (Bill Withers).

This has been followed by a second album, Classical Soul, Vol.1: The Solo Piano Collection. Dispensing with the atmospheric backings and guest musicians of the first release, French here delivers solo versions of his 15 original compositions only, now supplemented by a ‘felt piano’ remix of Reverie and two new bonus tracks.

These 17 originals have now been transcribed and published in a sheet music collection from Hal Leonard, Selections from Classical Soul, Vol.1, the subject of this review…

Piano Player • Movie Soundtracks

Pianodao Music Library

Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales
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Faber Music’s Piano Player series has established a strong identity since the first volume, celebrating British Classics appeared back in 2022. The series is aimed at adult players at intermediate level, each tastefully presented title offering an imaginative selection of around 20 pieces (a mixture of originals and arrangements) around a specific concept.

Originally, seven titles were advertised, each sporting the artwork of Edward Bawden on its cover (and as a mini posted pullout included within), but somewhere along the line a Christmas Time collection was added and now, bringing the list up to nine titles thus far, a new collection of arrangements of film music.

This arrival is clearly an indication of the popularity these publications have already gained, and as always it delivers an interesting and appealing selection of music…

Peaceful Piano Solos • Musicals

Pianodao Music Library

Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales
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When Hal Leonard’s Peaceful Piano Solos first appeared a few years back, the publisher’s intention seemed to be to create a tasteful but inexpensive collection of 30 popular ambient contemporary pieces from the collective pens of Ludovico Einaudi, Yann Tiersen, Max Richter, et al, tapping into the significant popularity of the genre.

The series subsequently grew to include several volumes, and become a staple found in music shops everywhere. So far we’ve enjoyed Easy, Soundtracks, Classical, Christmas, Jazz, and Pop variations on the theme, and while the cover image has remained consistent, presented in a lovely range of pastel hues, the music within has somewhat branched away from that original concept.

For the latest addition, Peaceful Piano Solos: Musicals, the pastel colours have been replaced with a vivid red cover, and the 30 pieces within include a fair number of climactic curtain-call rousers.

This collection may not be entirely “peaceful”, but I suspect it will nevertheless, and deservedly, be popular…

Beethoven • Masterpieces

Pianodao Music Library

Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales
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The new Masterpieces for Piano series from Edition Peters has proved one of the most exciting additions to the piano player’s library in recent months, and I have spared no blushes in my praise of the Schubert and Mozart titles.

Compiled by Roland Erben from the publishing house’s iconic Green Series of publications, each of these bumper books appears with an eye-catching cover artwork, newly engraved scores presented on luxury cream paper, and offers a significant cross-section of each composer’s solo music for intermediate to advanced pianists.

Joining the series, Beethoven Masterpieces for Piano is now the third title, completing an initial trilogy (and let’s face it, there is plenty of scope for the series to grow!). Once again, the publication offers a stunningly presented and keenly priced volume of indispensable music, but let’s consider whether it lives up to the excellence of the first two bumper anthologies…

Mozart • Masterpieces

Pianodao Music Library

Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales
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When I recently reviewed Edition Peters’ stunning new collection of music by Franz Schubert, I concluded:

“This is an indisputably rich trove of musical treasures from one of the world’s most beloved composers, so those not already familiar with these pieces really need to do themselves a favour and get a copy. There are of course many great, and comprehensive, editions of Schubert’s piano works, but for a compendium that offers such a range, I can think of no equal.”

I mentioned in that review that the Schubert volume was the first of three, and in this review I will consider whether the second, Mozart Masterpieces for Piano, lives up to the same high standards.

This 144-page bumper edition offers 38 works, large and small, and is once again billed as delivering:

“Essential repertoire for intermediate to advanced level pianists.”

With several pieces from the child composer’s early London Notebook, leading to the complete Sonata in C (KV 545), F (KV 280) and A major (KV 331), and the exquisite Adagio in B minor (KV 540), the anthology includes music ranging from around Grade 2 to Associate Diploma level. The full list of pieces follows…

Yann Tiersen • Rathlin from a Distance

Pianodao Music Library

Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales
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It is unusual for the sheet music tie-in publication for a major release to appear prior to the actual recordings, so when Hal Leonard delivered the new piano solo collection from Yann Tiersen at the start of the year it was quite a coup, giving fans a few months to delve into the popular composer’s latest music before hearing his own versions when the album lands on April 4th.

Having enjoyed dipping into these pieces myself, with preview tracks now available to give you a flavour, and with the full album release rapidly approaching, I think it’s time to take a look at Rathlin from a Distance…

Piano Day • The Collection

Pianodao Music Library

Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales
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“Piano Day” takes place on the 88th day of the year, in reference to the standard number of keys on the instrument being celebrated. Established in 2015, it has grown a global following, each year providing a focal point for concerts, onstage and online, as well as radio shows, podcasts, and piano-based playlists.

You can discover the albums and playlists associated with this annual event, and find out more about this year’s live performances, on the Piano Day website here.

The goal of Piano Day is simple: to raise the profile of the instrument, inspire more people to develop their skills, and in particular to encourage piano playing in public spaces. According to its key founder and organiser, the pianist and composer Nils Frahm,

“Why does the world need a Piano Day? For many reasons. But mostly, because it doesn’t hurt to celebrate the piano and everything around it: performers, composers, piano builders, tuners, movers, and most importantly, the listener.”

Celebrating the event’s first ten years, Piano Day: The Collection is an official bumper anthology that has been personally curated by Frahm, and now published by Faber Music. The 128-page volume brings together 35 atmospheric works for solo piano, inspired by, created and included in Piano Day playlists over this first decade.

Suitable for intermediate pianists and featuring music by such popular figures in contemporary piano music as Ólafur Arnalds, Hania Rani, Ludovico Einaudi, Olivia Belli, and of course Nils Frahm himself, Piano Day: The Collection is billed by the publisher as “a celebration of the piano in the 21st century”, and certainly highlights the scope of this popular event.