Late Intermediate Repertoire

ABRSM • Piano Inspiration

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ABRSM Publishing continue to focus on bringing out superb anthologies for different instruments and levels, widening the scope of developing players’ musical engagement. Their recent publishing successes for piano have included the three jazz collections Nikki Iles and Friends and the superb Pop Performer books which arrived last year.

Now they bring us two new anthologies of solo piano repertoire, curated by concert artist Isata Kanneh-Mason. These are notable collections which, for reasons I will unpack in this review, immediately rise to the top of my pile of recommended piano publications.

The first book is suitable for intermediate players in the Grade 4-6 bracket, the second for more advanced players, Grades 7-8+ (ARSM). Refreshingly, but potentially frustrating for some, the specific grade levels of the individual pieces are not stipulated, even though ABRSM twice suggest on the covers that the pieces can be used as own-choice repertoire in their Performance Grades.

Kanneh-Mason’s selections mix surprise with delight, novelty with familiar favourites, delivering an intoxicating and diverse blend of music that quite simply belongs on the piano of every player working at these levels.

Having already given a rough outline and positive verdict, I will shortly go on to list the musical contents of each book, describe the publications for the benefit of those unable to inspect them in a music store, and attempt to frame these volumes in their broader context…

Eugénie Rocherolle’s Reflective Piano Solos

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When I recently reviewed Mona Rejino’s Reflections and Relaxations collection (you can read the review here), I noted that the cover image and title suggested it to be part of the current trend for books of calm, relaxing music in the popular ambient classical style, but that in the event it proved to be something different.

It’s therefore with a sense of déjà vu that I now bring you my review of another Hal Leonard title that appeared around the same time. Here, again, the title perhaps implies a relaxed book of soothing adagios, a lovely cover photograph seems to underline this expectation, and the book promises “11 Beautiful Moods and Styles”.

But once again, this proved to be a different (but no less enjoyable) collection to the one I initially expected. Let’s dip in…

The Piano Player: Uplifting Classics

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Faber Music have just unleashed the latest gem in their marvellous Piano Player series: get ready to experience the magic of Uplifting Classics!

This fifth instalment in Faber’s beautifully presented garland of intermediate anthologies, arriving as usual with a delightful cover illustration and pull-out print from the collection of the notable British artist Edward Bawden (1903-1989), offers the perfect remedy for challenging times.

Those unfamiliar with the series can read my reviews of the previous collections here. And now let’s all lift our spirits by exploring this fresh compendium of rousing favourites…

Impressions of New York

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in my recent review of Texan composer Mona Rejino’s excellent Reflections and Relaxations (which you can read here), I both mentioned and praised her Impressions of New York, another fairly recent publication in Hal Leonard’s ‘Composer Showcase’ series.

In this review I am returning to that 2021 title to tell you more about it, having intended on reviewing it here and introducing it to the Pianodao Music Library for some time.

Subtitled A Jazz Sonatina, the three movement work was originally commissioned as a trio for viola, cello and piano, and by the Music Teachers National Association in the US for their 2019 National Conference.

Encouraged by its reception, her editor and husband, Rejino subsequently arranged Impressions of New York as the solo piano Jazz Sonatina reviewed here…

9 Female Composers from 3 Centuries

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Some time ago I reviewed Wiener Urtext Edition’s Urtext Primo series of six books, each bringing together the music of three composers whose careers overlapped, two well known, the third less performed today. You can read my series review here.

These are serious editions suitable for late intermediate to early advanced players who want to explore key repertoire in a broader musical context, and some of the adult learners I work with have certainly found them rewarding.

Wiener Urtext now bring a seventh volume to the series. 9 Female Composers from 3 Centuries has a self-explanatory title, and is a natural expansion of a series that already shines a spotlight on the music of overlooked composers of the past. This latest collection offers authoritative new editions of 25 pieces, as always edited and with practice tips by Nils Franke.

There has of course been a spate of new collections of music composed by women composers, all of which I have praised in reviews here, and which between them have nicely filled a gap in our repertoire and historical understanding.

I am told these books have only been a modest success, however, which raises intriguing questions about whether publishing agendas and perceptions of the market match the unaffected musical appetites of players. As I look at this new collection let’s not only consider the intrinsic value of the publication itself, but whether and what it can add to this increasingly crowded market…

Reflections & Relaxations

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There has been a spate of music books offering calming, relaxing piano music of late, and this new title from Dallas-based piano pedagogue Mona Rejino looks, on the surface, to be another addition to that growing trend. However, it proves to be something a little different, as we’ll discover in this review…

Brian Davidson’s Music Box

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The Music Box is a new collection from Scottish composer Brian Davidson, published by Kevin Mayhew, and suitable for late intermediate players. The tastefully produced book is described by the publishers as offering,

“9 beautiful and original pieces for piano.”

Fair play. These pieces are certainly lovely, for player and audience alike, and sufficiently original to merit the phrase “distinctive voice” and carve their own space in the library of late intermediate repertoire.

With an appropriately warm recommendation, I could happily sign off here with these very words. But I am sure you would like to know more, listen to one or two of the pieces, and get more of a flavour of what this collection offers… so here goes.

Calming Piano Solos

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Hal Leonard recently issued two editions (respectively offering 35 “Piano Solo” pieces and 19 arrangements for “Easy Piano”) of the unambiguously named collection Calming Piano Solos.

I can guess what some readers are thinking, and yes, I Giorni and Una Mattina are present and correct. But before you jump to the wrong conclusion and give up reading further, it’s worth noting that these books are something of a surprise, offering a wealth of fresh and appealing titles.

The first clue that these books would be different was, for me, the front cover promise which reads,

“…beautiful solos including:
The Approaching Night • Butterfly Waltz • Love’s Return • Sea Change • When Morning Comes • Winged Melancholy…”

Hmm, excuse my ignorance, but… say what?

Adrian Lord • Piano Postcards

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It’s rare that I include self-published material in the Pianodao Music Library, but I was quick to make an exception for the exceptional Piano Meditations by Knutsford-based pianist and composer Adrian Lord, which I reviewed here a couple of years ago, writing:

“There’s no denying that these pieces want a seat at a crowded table, but nor is there any escaping the point that Lord’s music ascends to a higher altitude than most. And significantly, his pieces are not simply evocative and relaxing to listen to but are no less engaging and rewarding to sit down and play.”

Lord has continued to extend his loyal fan base, and is now back with a new collection, which builds on his approach of blending the aesthetic of Einaudi with a pastel pastoralism redolent of the music of these Isles.

Piano Postcards is now available on CD, streaming services, and as the sumptuous sheet music collection which is the subject of this review…

Paul Birchall’s Daily Expressions

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Fresh from the Elena Cobb Star Prize Festival event in London earlier this week, I am continuing my survey of the superb catalogue of piano music published by EVC Music, much of which I have previously reviewed here.

Among the publications which I have previously featured on this site, and a highlight of the EVC catalogue, I was super-impressed with Paul Birchall’s excellent Blues, Boogie, Jazz and more collection, several pieces from which appeared in the Star Prize Festival programme this year.

Birchall’s two collections of Daily Expressions, published a few years ago, make another worthy (if belated) addition to the Pianodao Music Library.