Piano Dreaming is a brand new publication from one of the world’s most popular composers for the educational market, Pam Wedgwood. Earlier this year, Pam won the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural Art of Piano Education Awards, and justifiably so. Andrew Eales, in presenting the award, wrote:
‘Pam’s music has enjoyed huge and continuing popularity over several decades, inspiring a generation of pianists and educational composers. Having myself delighted in regularly teaching her music for more than thirty years, it is wonderful to have now an opportunity to recognise and applaud Pam’s immeasurable influence on piano education in this country and beyond.’
One of the lovely things about Pam and her music, is that she has always retained a connection to musicians and teachers at grass roots level. She has continually had her finger ‘on the pulse’ when it comes to composing, yet her music has ceaselessly retained her distinctive style.
Pam Wedgwood’s Piano Dreaming, a brand new publication from Faber Music, contains 12 original and enchanting piano pieces in a neoclassical style. The pieces are written for intermediate-level pianists, and having played through the collection, I’d put that at around Grades 4-6 level. The titles are as enchanting as the music itself:
- Floating
- Sirus
- The Secret
- Chasing Your Dreams
- Resolution
- A Distant Memory
- Suspended Animation
- Sliding Dors
- Forest of Dreams
- Contemplation
- Night Owl
- Shadows on the Wall
Neoclassical music is, perhaps, hard to define. Its inter-war emergence as a ‘call to order’ is perhaps reflected in the often mesmerising hypnotism of music by composers such as Glass, Einaudi and Richter. In Piano Dreaming, Pam Wedgwood joins those ranks, yet within the collection, there is always interest. Ideas emerge and develop in true Pam Wedgwood fashion, and in many respects, sits these pieces on another level. They are not simply made up of ever-repeating motifs, but they are beautiful compositions, and however we might term neoclassicism, that is, perhaps, what matters most. Anyone familiar with Pam’s After Hours series of books will, I’m sure, enjoy these too.
Each piece, as well as the collection as a whole, exhibits an ever-shifting mood, echoing the dreamy nature of the music included. I particularly enjoyed and valued Pam’s short introductions to each piece. They somehow set the scene, linking the title to the music itself. For example, ‘A Distant Memory’ is introduced with:
‘Situations that happened in the distant past are often hard to recall. Here is a chance to dream through all your past reflections. With a smile, of course!’
This piece, with its constant shift between 5/8 and 3/4 evocatively captures those memory trails. Pam has clearly thought deeply about the way in which music both triggers and is triggered by memories, and of course, dreams themselves.
The publication is beautifully presented, clearly typeset, and, if you like, does exactly what it says ‘on the tin’. In a world of innovation, there remains the argument for simplicity. Music evokes feelings, and Pam Wedgwood’s compositions in Piano Dreaming capture those thoughts, hopes and dreams so effectively.
Overall, a volume of beautiful, heartfelt music suitable for pianists around Grades 4-6 level. Lovely, clear presentation, a clearly well thought through concept, and of course, full of everything we’ve come to know and love from the pen of Pam Wedgwood.
Published 27.11.24.
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Piano Dreaming by Pam Wedgwood is published by Faber Music, ISBN 9780571543311, RRP £9.99
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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