My Forest Notebook, a new collection of piano solos by popular composer, Angeline Bell, joins her four previous volumes: My Lyrical Notebook, My Quirky Notebook, My Seaside Notebook and My Garden Notebook. Over the past few years, these collections, all published by Editions Musica Ferrum, have proved popular with students and teachers alike. The cover, with its familiar and eye-catching illustration by Rebecca Harrie, sets the tone for this evocative collection of pieces with a woodland and forest theme. My first impressions of this book is that it will undoubtedly prove as popular, if not more so, than the previous volumes.
Introducing My Forest Notebook
An accomplished piano teacher, Angeline Bell has come to prominence as a composer over the last few years. Her works are widely recorded, both commercially and on platforms such as YouTube and Instagram. Her background as a piano teacher and music educator, has stood her in good stead for composing piano solos which will appeal to both students and teachers, and if the online sphere is anything to go by, the popularity of her works is testament to this.
My Forest Notebook, the composer’s fifth sheet music publication, contains 15 ‘peaceful’ piano solos for the intermediate player, inspired by Angeline’s love of trees. The pieces are evocative, often mystical in nature, the composer effectively capturing the sounds of the forest and woodland through the music. As with the composer’s previous four volumes of piano solos in the My Notebook… series, the quality of the publication is to be, once again, highly commended.
A Walk Through the Music
Inspired by childhood woodland walks, the composer takes inspiration from the shapes, textures and structures of the beauty and majesty of trees. It comes as no surprise that the titles reflect this, with ‘Noble Fir’, ‘Bamboo Forest’ and ‘Wild Cherry’ to name but a few. I particularly enjoyed ‘Copper Beach’ with its undulating and shimmering quaver movement. I also enjoyed ‘Sweet Chestnut’, with its deep bass notes, and repeating chords underpinning the melody. ‘Maple’ was also evocative, with a relaxed, often syncopated feel. Whilst the pieces are enjoyable on their own, they also hold together as a collection. I think they show a maturity in composition and a strong sense of direction.
Style, Mood and Playability
The pieces are lyrical in style, ‘neoclassical’ if we wish to apply a label. They have a tonal, contemporary feel, with some inspiration drawn from the modal world of folk music. They are composed to suit pianists of around intermediate level, I’d suggest Grades 4-6. There are plenty of opportunities for expression, and I’m sure that My Forest Notebook will suit adults and children alike, maybe especially teenagers. I know I shall be recommending it to some of my own piano students.
For Teachers and Students
Teachers may choose to work through the book sequentially, as the pieces grow in difficulty, but in all cases, there is plenty of opportunity to explore character and expression, through interpretation and storytelling. The music stands alone as pieces to be worked on in lessons, but many of the works will also make beautiful and popular, recital and concert works. I’m sure that many of the works in My Forest Notebook could also be used as own-choice pieces for exams.
Design and Presentation
As with all of the publications from the publisher, Editions Musica Ferrum, My Forest Notebook maintains the high standards of presentation previously set. The book is clearly laid out, the music easy to read. The music feels spacious and uncluttered, and the dynamic markings, pedalling and fingering suggestions are all well-conceived.
Whilst this is undoubtedly down to personal choice, occasionally, the grouping and beaming of notes feels a little ‘clunky’, the result being that some of the piano solos in My Forest Notebook look harder to play than they actually are. Whilst there will always be accepted conventions to follow, just occasionally, I think it’s worth breaking the rules to enable easier playing. An example of this is ‘Casuarina’, where the RH quavers may have been better grouped to align with the LH rhythm.. As I say, this is very much down to personal preference and is, by no means, a criticism of the quality of music or publication as a whole.
As previously mentioned, the cover illustration by the talented Rebecca Harrie, is eye-catching and appealing, and enables this volume to sit comfortably alongside the others in the My Notebook… series of publications. There are short, but helpful notes on each piece, and as we have come to expect from Editions Musica Ferrrum, the book, printed on high-quality paper, is durable and will stand the test of time.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this is a lovely collection containing 15 beautiful piano solos, with echoes of past volumes in the My Notebook… series, but also showing a maturity of composition in the way each piece stands both alone and alongside the others. I believe the music will suit a wide range of pianists around the Grades 4-6 level, and the high quality publication makes it a book to enjoy and return to for years to come. In my view, My Forest Notebook is Angeline Bell’s best collection yet, and I would recommend it without hesitation.
You can find out more about Angeline Bell, including links to recordings of the works here, on her website.
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Published 22.8.25.
My Forest Notebook by Angeline Bell, is published by Editions Musica Ferrum, ISBN 9790708147961, RRP £14.99. You can order the volume on Musicroom here, or from your preferred sheet music retailer.
I was sent a review copy of this book free of charge; however, this review is my honest opinion as a teacher. You can find my Reviews Policy here.
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