Donald Thomson – Pianodao

Celtic Piano Music • Elementary

Pianodao Music Library
Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales

EVC Music is a publisher who continue to enjoy an interesting journey. From early beginnings a few years ago, publishing founder Elena Cobb’s music but soon growing to include music of upcoming composers she wanted to support, the publisher has developed a catalogue of music by composers as highly respected as Nikki Iles, Heather Hammond, Graham Lynch, Sam Wedgwood and Donald Thomson.

The latter has long been working in the sidelines as a music engraver for publishers such as Kevin Mayhew and Faber Music, but as a composer burst onto the scene with his award-nominated and deservedly popular series of Celtic Piano Music books, reviewed here, which I have found appeal to intermediate players of all ages.

Thomson is now back with more, and his latest collection in the Celtic Piano Music series offers 21 new pieces suitable for elementary players, equivalent to UK Initial to Grade 2 level.

Sporting a classy cover that builds on the image of the original collections, and with the high quality smooth cream paper that EVC Music have recently switched to, this is a genuinely impressive publication which can only further enhance EVC Music’s reputation for delivering quality product, and for being a publisher with an enviable track record for spotting and bringing to market some of the best new music around.

As this is an EVC publication, I must remind readers that I sometimes assist the publisher as a consultant on particular projects. However, let me confirm that this is not one of those, and that until the review copy landed on my door mat I had no idea about this book.

So as independent agents together, let’s discover what the collection offers…

Donald Thomson’s Winter Piano Music

The Christmas Shortlist
Selected and reviewed by Andrew Eales

Scottish composer Donald Thomson is perhaps best known for his series of Celtic Piano Music collections for intermediate pianists, the omnibus edition of which I have reviewed here.

I have also been impressed with his enjoyable Halloween Piano Tunes collection for elementary players, which I reviewed here recently.

Now Thomson is back with Winter Piano Music, a new collection that is once again published by EVC Music. This time he has written for the more advanced player, delivering five compositions and arrangements which are surely destined to become seasonal concert favourites…

Donald Thomson’s Halloween Piano Tunes

Pianodao Music Library
Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales

Having only just reviewed the Willis Music’s Halloween anthology Spooky Sounds here’s another dastardly publication, this time from EVC Music and scaring us with 19 original pieces from the excellent Donald Thomson.

I have previously praised Thomson’s Celtic Piano Music (reviewed here), and am equally enthusiastic about this collection. Let’s open it up to find out what’s lurking within…

Celtic Piano Music

Pianodao Music Library
Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales

Since its appearance in 2015, Donald Thomson’s A Borders Suite, which comprises five intermediate pieces stunningly presented by EVC Music, has made an impressive impact.

That first book spawned three more, each adding five more pieces celebrating the beauty of Scotland, and in 2018 the series received the accolade of being a finalist in the Best Print Resource category of the Music Education Awards.

Now EVC Music has released the ultimate collection of Thomson’s music. Bringing together all 20 pieces from those four collections and adding one more for good measure, Celtic Piano Music is a publication to celebrate and treasure. Let’s take a look…