Musical Year, A by Ruth Sellar Piano Miniatures every month Intermediate (Good)

Piano miniatures for every month, at intermediate level.

Come on a journey through the year’s seasons, month-by-month, with this collection of 12 piano miniatures. Each contrasting piece is designed to portray the character, British weather and feel of the individual month, with titles to trigger your own mental images. It is written to be accessible for players at intermediate level; I wrote these pieces with my piano pupils in mind! The collection was composed during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, which provided an unexpected block of time to create. In the midst of such global uncertainty and distress at that time, the Earth’s beauty remained constant, and an appreciation of the seasons and their colours through music seemed appropriate. It is my hope that players will really enjoy the collection and that learners will also find them useful pieces in a range of styles to further their piano skills. The collection can be played either from beginning to end or performed just one or two months at a time. Ruth Sellar

January Waltz: Welcoming the year with a waltz, as per the Viennese custom

February Frenzy: A whirlwind of gales, storms and snow

March Mystery: The world awaits the arrival of spring

April Showers: Rain or sun – who knows?

May Morning: Rejoicing under a clear blue sky

June Sunbeams: Lazy June – hammock time!

July Tango: With an Argentinian flair

August Lullaby: Rocking to sleep on a hot summer’s day

September Dance: With lively Autumnal colour

October Dreams: A misty reverie as nights draw in

November Fireworks: Rockets, Catherine wheels and sparklers galore

December Bells: Ring out the Christmas joy.

Total duration about 25 minutes

This collection is a companion to ‘A Musical Journey’ (miniatures based on the 12 forms of transport) also published by Goodmusic (GM480).