After all these years of playing and teaching, I still love discovering new music. In Landscapes, Alison Matthews has composed 14 beautiful ‘poetic’ piano solos which will, I’m sure, stand the test of time. This is, in part, aided, as always, by the beautiful publication itself.
It was lovely, as always, to meet Alison (and Nikolas) at the Music & Drama Education Expo back in March. I was able to try out some of these pieces in the presence of the composer (not scary, I promise!) and get the book signed (big smile).
As ever, it’s taken me a bit longer to get round to trying all of them. Alison suggests the pieces are suitable for pianists of around Grades 5-6, with the last piece in the book pushing towards Grade 7. I would agree with this, and I think that this volume, in particular, offers a range of pieces suitable for bridging the gap between Grades 5 and 6.
If you, or your pupils enjoy the music of contemporary composers such as Ludovico Einaudi, Alexis Ffrench and maybe even Philip Glass, these pieces very much reflect that style. To compare Alison’s pieces to these, often much-maligned composers, is, I think, I great complement. She, like they, has the ability to craft tender, often hypnotic pieces, with rich, sonorous harmonies, but which sound effortless to the ear. They transport the player and listener alike to a new world, far beyond the complexities and confusion of our everyday lives.
A particular favourite piece of mine was ‘Trails in the Sand’, a thoughtful piece demanding much of a player’s ability to balance the texture. As in all these pieces, careful pedalling is needed, much of this very clearly indicated. I also enjoyed the wistful waltz, ‘Reflections’, and the swift, but peaceful ‘Whispering Breeze’.
I think that often, as piano teachers, we neglect our own playing, and enjoyment of playing. I know that there are many who, like me, are so worn out by the weekend/holidays that we don’t wish to go near the piano. If you’re looking to inspire your own playing again, then I think these are a must-have. They have certainly inspired me, and I shall continue to enjoy learning and playing them for, I’m sure, many years to come.
Landscapes: Poetic Piano Solos by Alison Matthews, is published by Editions Musica Ferrum, ISMN 979-0-708147-55-8, £12.00.
