The first competition of 2018 features an innovative, attractive volume penned by renowned composer Pamela Wedgwood. Piano Gallery (published in November 2017 by Faber Music) is a collection of 14 piano pieces which, as the title suggests, have all been inspired by great works of art. Each piece corresponds to a particular painting, and these paintings have been beautifully printed and included as a pull-out (in the middle of the publication) alongside the music.
‘I’ve relished writing this music that responds to the mood, colour, style, story and even humour behind each painting.’
Pamela Wedgwood
The works are easily accessible and intended for the intermediate level pianist (around Grade 4 – 6 of ABRSM standard). Playing through them, I would suggest they contain a variety of styles, yet Pam’s own voice can still be clearly heard. I enjoyed Starry Night (painting by Vincent Van Gogh), Fatata te Miti (painting by Paul Gauguin) and Large Wave (painting by Hokusai).
You can discover the music and paintings behind them for yourself by taking part in my competition. I have one copy to giveaway to one lucky winner. As usual, just leave your comment in the comment box below this blog post, and I will pick the winner on Sunday evening (British time). Be sure to check the post here on this blog, to see if you’ve been selected. Good luck!
Publications
Melanie Spanswick has written and published a wide range of courses, anthologies, examination syllabuses, and text books, including Play it again: PIANO (published by Schott Music). This best-selling graded, progressive piano course contains a large selection of repertoire featuring a huge array of styles and genres, with copious practice tips and suggestions for every piece.
For more information, please visit the publications page, here.
Melanie Spanswick 
I love Pam wedgewood, I hope she finds plenty more inspiration from her beautiful new home 🎹
I first came across Pam Wedgewood was from Easy Jazzin’ About. So many of my students love it very much. I found it useful for me to introduce the world of jazz from that book. Maybe is a chance now to introduce the world of painting art by using this new book – Piano Gallery.
I hope to get a copy to explore with my students and mayb have a recital featuring the pieces alongside videos of the paintings
What a wonderful idea. I look forward to playing these pieces as I very much enjoy Pam Wedgwood’s work.
Good, I love a Pam Wedgwood book and my students love playing them so I’ll be buying a copy.
The book sounds wonderful. I love Pam Wedgwood’s music.
The grade level sounds about right for this retired piano teacher to enjoy herself. Classical is my preferred but I have learned much about harmony, rhythm, and phrasing from other jazz works. And wonderful to pair music to art. The world is in need of both!
A great idea. Recently, I have been finding pictures for pieces in music books so that right from the very beginning pupils have something in their mind when they are playing tunes, and they get used to being asked what they are thinking about, so the music means something to them rather than just rattling off the notes! I have a pupil in mind who would love this book
Art and music: a beautiful combination. Thank you Pam.
I would love to win a copy, it will inspire my pupils and to further their creativity.