Faber Music – Page 10

Pam Wedgwood’s ‘Piano Gallery’

Pianodao Music Library
Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales

The simple ideas, so they say, are often the best. And with her latest publication Piano Gallery, best-selling composer Pam Wedgwood has taken the seemingly simple idea of composing a collection of pieces inspired by great artworks.

With the visionary support of Faber Music, Wedgwood has produced one of the most imaginative collections of original late-intermediate repertoire that I have recently had the pleasure of reviewing here. So what is it about this publication that makes it such a worthwhile purchase?

The Intermediate Pianist

Educational Resources
Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales

The Intermediate Pianist series is a fresh and ground-breaking approach which is full of brilliant musical ideas. It’s sure to enable pianists to play with greater understanding and engagement, and comes very highly recommended.

Here’s the Pianodao review…

The Piano Teacher’s Survival Guide

The Pianodao Bookshelf
Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales

A new publication from Faber Music, The Piano Teacher’s Survival Guide instantly establishes itself as one of the best practical manuals available for today’s piano teachers. Here’s my review…

Film Themes: The Piano Collection

Pianodao Music Library
Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales

Compare weekly cinema attendance with the numbers who go to classical concerts and you will be left with no doubt as to why music composed for films works its magic in the hearts and minds of listeners more than any other genre. And it is little wonder that piano players so regularly show an interest in learning their favourite film themes.

In the case of the most popular composers and successful scores, there’s very often a tie-in publication so that fans can buy the sheet music. But for those after an anthology of their favourite pieces, the choice is not necessarily so easy. Some collections of this kind provide poor transcriptions, while others aren’t sympathetically arranged for piano.

It is with real pleasure that I can therefore warmly recommend the latest piano book from Faber Music, a collection simply entitled Film Themes: The Piano Collection.

Mark Tanner’s ‘The Mindful Pianist’

The Pianodao Bookshelf
Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales

“Mindfulness” has become one of the buzzwords of the decade. We’ve no doubt all seen the regular articles about it in the popular press, exploring the possible benefits of mindfulness practice for our physical and mental health, productivity, learning, and general happiness.

But what of piano players: how can we benefit from mindfulness practice?

It’s a question for which we might hope to find answers in highly respected teacher, composer and pianist Mark Tanner’s hotly anticipated book and much lauded The Mindful Pianist, published by Faber Music this autumn.

According to the publishers:

“The Mindful Pianist presents amateurs and professionals with a fresh perspective on playing and performing. Applying the concept of mindfulness to the piano, this invaluable text explores the crucial connection between mind and body: how an alert, focussed mind fosters playing that is more compelling, more refined and ultimately more rewarding …

Ultimate Easy Piano Songlist

Pianodao Music Library
Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales

Here’s a book that I suspect many will rush to buy – a bumper collection of easy piano arrangements of great popular tunes, from the contemporary to the classic.

With (according to the cover) over 90,000 units sold, the hits that make up this “Ultimate Songlist” plunder the charts across many decades, from Cilla Black to One Direction, from Nat King Cole to Elbow, and from Wham! to Radiohead. Movies are well represented too, with The Hanging Tree (from The Hunger Games series) and Let it Go! (from Frozen) standing out as welcome highlights.

In theory there should be something here for everyone, and in practice … there probably is!

Of course any collection of this kind can be “miss” as much as “hit”, and I suspect that the best market for this collection will be families that want to gather around the piano for a sing-song, or which have more than one player in them, and from different age groups.

But you can see the full track list here for yourself, and make up your mind whether it appeals to you.

Jazzin’ About the Year

Pianodao Music Library
Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales

“Take yourself on a musical journey through the seasons with Pam Wedgwood’s Easy Jazzin’ About the Year: a treasure trove of original and favourite tunes connected with occasions throughout the year.”

Easy Jazzin’ About the Year, new from Pam Wedgwood and published by Faber Music, might just be the perfect book of pieces for children learning the piano who are around UK Grade 1-2 level. Let’s take a look!

Mindfulness: The Piano Collection

Pianodao Music Library
Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales

According to Faber Music:

“Mindfulness: The Piano Collection offers a way to bring mindfulness and playing the piano together by sharpening musical focus and establishing the pianist’s attention in the present moment. The carefully selected repertoire, which is aimed at intermediate level players, is presented with guidance on how to bring mindfulness into piano playing.”

So what does the book include, and how is it different to other piano anthologies?