As I played through these pieces, I breathed a happy sigh. We all need a reminder – teachers and students – that sometimes, we can find such enjoyment and pleasure in simply sitting down to play. As we work on pieces, it’s easy to forget this, but in These Sweet Days: A Piano Album Inspired by Poetry, well-known pianist, teacher, educator, adjudicator, examiner and, of course, composer, Nancy Litten, has crafted 10 characterful pieces which will transport you to different worlds, both landscapes and soundscapes from across the globe.
These Sweet Days is billed as an ‘attractive album of 10 piano pieces in minimalist style, inspired by poetry’, to suit pianists of around Grades 6-8 (advanced intermediate to advanced) level. People are sometimes wary of single-composer collections, particular with a growing number of excellent and diverse anthologies on the market; however, you need not worry. These 10 pieces, each with its own distinct character, offer a varied repertoire which will both challenge and inspire.
Each of the works is inspired by a particular poem, for example, the opening piece, ‘Be my love in the rain’ from A Line-Storm Song by Robert Frost, the title work, ‘These sweet days’ on One of Us Two by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, and ‘Laughter and the love of friends’ on Hilaire Belloc’s Celebratory Ode. It’s always nice when the player gets a little insight into the inspiration behind the music, and I hope both pianists and teachers alike will be inspired to seek out, read and enjoy the poems themselves. They offer a talking point and opportunity to explore the background to the music, that in this, we might appreciate the 10 pieces in These Sweet Days with fresh eyes.
I particularly enjoyed the title piece, ‘These sweet days’, with its beautiful, undulating chordal opening; a reminder that in music, as in many walks of life, less is so often more. It’s a deeply evocative piece which will touch the soul of pianist and listener alike. For its pure exuberance, I thoroughly enjoyed ‘Show me a hero’, subtitled an ‘Homage to Liberace’, and inspired by The Crack Up by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Also a favourite, was ‘Farewell goes out sighing’, a gorgeous lilting piece with a touch of jazz, inspired by Troilus and Cressida by Shakespeare.
This is the first book I’ve been sent to review by the recently-established Clifton Edition. Clifton Edition was set up by Mark and Pat Goddard in 2023, to specialise in educational classical music. Their aim also is to republish titles previously published by Spartan Press, as well as new music, such as These Sweet Days. All the signs are good, and if this publication is anything to go by, there are some treats in store. Clifton Edition titles are already finding their way into the music education world, and justifiably so. It is excellent to see that Stainer and Bell are distributing the titles on behalf of Clifton Edition. The book is beautifully designed and presented, the music and layout clear.
Overall, I was very impressed, not just by the publication itself and the variety of music included, but by the clear sense of thought which has gone into their composition. There are some challenging works here, but with patience and perseverance, there is much enjoyment to be derived not just from playing them, but from exploring the poems and poets who inspired the music itself.
You can hear Nancy playing all 10 pieces on the Clifton Edition website here.
Published 15.2.25.
These Sweet Days by Nancy Litten, is published by Clifton Edition, C658 ISMN 9790570816590, RRP £9.95. A PDF download option with single-user licence is also available here.
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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