Piano Player Series

Piano Player • Movie Soundtracks

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…

Piano Player • Classical Pieces

Pianodao Music Library

Selected and reviewed by ANDREW EALES
Find out more: ABOUT PIANODAO REVIEWS

Faber Music’s The Piano Player series, which launched in Summer 2022, has been a highlight of the last couple of years, delivering a succession of themed anthologies that have enjoyed wide appeal with adult enthusiasts.

The eighth and latest title in the series is now with us, stylishly complementing the set with a collection of beloved (and in a few cases lesser-known) classical pieces from the eighteenth to early twentieth centuries.

I have reviewed all the previous titles in the series, and in this post I will take a look at this new addition…

Piano Player • Classical Chillout

Pianodao Music Library

Selected and reviewed by ANDREW EALES
Find out more: ABOUT PIANODAO REVIEWS

Faber Music’s Piano Player series of themed collections for late intermediate players have been a consistent highlight of the past two years, each deliciously presented volume sporting the distinctive artwork of Edward Bawden, and proving especially apt and popular with adult music enthusiasts.

The full series has been reviewed here on Pianodao, and with consistent praise. Not only so, but adult learners have been bringing the books to their lessons at my studio, and shown themselves similarly keen.

The latest addition to the series is Classical Chillout, and can be welcomed with particular enthusiasm, and not just by existing fans of the series. This new collection could also be an answer to the prayers of those still searching for the perfect, if elusive, mix of relaxing piano solos.

So let’s breathe in, and take a mindful look…

Piano Player • Christmas Time

The Christmas Shortlist

Selected and reviewed by ANDREW EALES
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Regular readers will know that I am quite a fan of Faber Music’s Piano Player series, originally projected to include seven books, five of which are already available and reviewed here, with the final two anticipated for 2024.

With decorous covers sporting the artwork of Edward Bawden (1903-1989), a pull-out reproduction to keep and frame, and a mixed range of popular classics and tasteful arrangements geared towards adult intermediate players, the series has carved out a very particular and worthwhile niche.

Taking us unawares, Faber Music have just launched a new addition to the series. Not billed among the seven titles advertised so far, The Piano Player Christmas Time is more than just a welcome surprise…

Piano Player • Uplifting Classics

Pianodao Music Library

Selected and reviewed by ANDREW EALES
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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…

Piano Player • Tear-Jerkers

Pianodao Music Library

Selected and reviewed by ANDREW EALES
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Faber Music’s Piano Player Series is proving one of their most enjoyable and easy to recommend in recent years. Bringing together accessible pieces, adept arrangements and vividly showcasing the inimitable artwork of Edward Bawden (1903-1989), the books are proving popular in my teaching studio, and are well worth a look.

The latest is the splendidly titled Classical Tear-Jerkers, and promises “twenty of the most melancholy pieces of classical music, specially arranged for intermediate piano solo”.

How can we resist taking a closer look?

Piano Player • Wintertide

The Christmas Shortlist

Selected and reviewed by ANDREW EALES
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In a busy year for music publishers, Faber Music’s new series The Piano Player has quickly established itself as a distinctive and enjoyable new imprint.

Introducing the first title in the series, a stirring collection of British Classics released in time for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, I wrote,

“Aimed at intermediate players of all ages (and I suspect with a particular eye on the adult market), these look set to be a lovely collection of repertoire books.”

A second title, Classical Favourites, quickly followed (reviewed here), and hot on its heels we now have a third. Ready for the run up to Christmas, Wintertide Collection offers “A seasonal selection of 20 wintry pieces”…

Piano Player • Classical Favourites

Pianodao Music Library

Selected and reviewed by ANDREW EALES
Find out more: ABOUT PIANODAO REVIEWS

Less than three months after Faber Music launched ‘The Piano Player’ (a plush new series of intermediate piano solo collections) with British Classics (reviewed here) they are back with the second instalment.

The Piano Player: Classical Favourites features “20 of the most popular pieces of classical music”, some originals but mostly arrangements. And in line with the signature style of this new series, the publication is beautifully presented sporting the lush artwork of Edward Bawden (1903-1989)…

Piano Player • British Classics

Pianodao Music Library

Selected and reviewed by ANDREW EALES
Find out more: ABOUT PIANODAO REVIEWS

Faber Music have a well-earned reputation for producing outstanding series of music books. From their lush Faber Piano Anthology series to Paul Harris’s Improve Your Sight Reading and Pam Wedgwood’s Jazzin’ Around, their best series have become landmark publications.

With their latest publication, British Classics, Faber are launching a new series, with seven titles projected, simply called The Piano Player. So let’s take a look at the series debut…