This set of Contemporary pieces was a fascinating recent discovery.  Entitled Variations for Judith for Piano, 11 short reflections on “Bist du bei mir” by G H Stölzel arranged by J S Bach. The collection was the brainchild of British composer Diana Burrell. She wanted to present a very special leaving gift to Judith Serota. Judith retired from her position as executive director of the Spitalfields Music Festival in East London in 2007. A job that she had enjoyed for 20 years.

On the Introductory page, Diana Burrell explains: “There can be few people in the world whose love and enthusiasm for music exceeds Judith’s, and knowing that she had recently become a keen student of the piano, I thought that a specially-written collection of new compositions for herself to play would seem an appropriate gift. I consequently approached all of the Spitalfields Festival artistic directors asking them to write a short variation”.

Burrell was the artistic director of the Spitalfields Festival from 2006-2009. Chris Sayers apparently chose the theme, and organist David Titterington produced the realisation of the original Stölzel tune, immortalised by Bach. Andrew Blankfield gave a performance at Judith Serota’s leaving party in November 2007. The collection was presented to her afterwards. Since then, four new works have been added to the Klavierbüchlein. All were written by composers who have been connected to the festival.

“I hope it (this collection) will also provide much joy and inspiration to all pianists who enjoy exploring something fresh and different”, concludes Diana Burrell.  It’s so refreshing to find eminently playable works which offer the chance to discover new keyboard sonorities.

The variations have been written by an illustrious group of composers: Richard Rodney Bennett, Michael Berkeley, Diana Burrell, Anthony Burton, Peter Maxwell Davies, Jonathan Dove, Stephen Johns, Thea Musgrave, Tarik O’Regan, Anthony Payne, and Judith Weir. The piano pieces differ stylistically. They are unified by the Stölzel theme. Merely observing the differing approaches and compositional techniques employed by each composer proves compelling.

My favourites: Jonathan Dove’s beautiful and serene account of the theme (which is No. 10 of the set). It’s essentially diatonic chords laced with thematic material, accompanied by quaver filigree.

Tarik O’Regan’s Diomedes (No. 9) is equally effective. Slow moving, lyrical, and encompassing a wide keyboard geography.

Judith Weir’s contribution entitled To Judith, from Judith (No. 5) is exciting, feisty, spiky and rhythmical.

The Variations are of varying levels of difficulty, but they are well within any fairly accomplished amateur pianist’s grasp.

Variations for Judith affords an excellent ‘introduction’ to Contemporary music and every single book sold makes a contribution to Dimbleby Cancer Care (in memory of Richard Dimbleby).

You can order your copy today – just click here.

Hear the pieces by clicking on the playlist below: