Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales
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It’s a piano thing is a new publication from Boosey & Hawkes comprising two books of fresh original repertoire by Irish composer Ailbhe McDonagh.
McDonagh is well known in her country as an educational composer whose works have included commissioned pieces for school ensembles as well as educational piano pieces. She is also well known as a professional cellist who performs internationally and teaches at the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
McDonagh’s piece Anastasia, included in the second of these books, was first published while the young Alibhe was still at school, appearing as a Grade 4 piece in the RIAM exam syllabus.
The two collections here offer 36 piano solos presented in progressive order of difficulty, the first book being suitable for beginners and up to around UK Grade 3 (Late Elementary) level, while the second book includes pieces up to around Grade 5 (Intermediate). So let’s take a look…
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