These 2 books leapt off the screen when they popped up in an ad on my FaceBook page. My pupils love Einaudi’s music; there is something about the patterns, the repetitions, and the minimalist melodies that especially intrigue teenagers and they return to his pieces again and again. However very often they are just a little too tricky for some of my beginners and although they want to play them- having heard a friend perform them or spotted them as background music to a TV documentary or film- they are frustrated and have to try to find a simpler ( and less satisfactory ) arrangement. No more! These arrangements are by Einaudi himself- hooray- most of the pieces feature in both books so pianists can progress seamlessly from complete beginner to early- intermediate level.
In the preface Einaudi says that when he was a student the “piano books mainly contained music written in other centuries” and that he always wished to have books like these with music from his own time which he could easily play and enjoy. Many of my pupils think the same. The 20 pieces include all the popular favourites: Le Onde, I Giorni, Una Mattina, and the acclaimed Primavera. All are beautifully arranged so that you barely realise they are easier versions. They have more approachable key signatures, simpler chord structures and are usually shorter than the originals. Also each one is accompanied by a page of exercises which help independent learning by explaining and breaking down the techniques required. The grading is also spot- on in both books.
As a bonus each book is supported by Soundwise , an interactive digital feature which gives you access to demos of the pieces and exercises, and enables you to read the music from your tablet, phone or laptop, create exercises via a loop feature, and record and get instant feedback on your playing- this includes a star rating, something I always heartily approve of. So you get an awful lot of help for your money as well as the actual music. All this enables greater independence of learning, less likelihood of errors creeping in between lessons, and fun!
Who would I recommend these books to? Well almost anyone really. One of my adult pupils went away clutching one last week, a post g4 exam pupil is dying to get her hands on it, and my “ I don’t do grades” teenager is pestering me to teach him more from the 2nd book. I can also see these pieces providing calming music to play for pupils with academic exams coming up (and their parents); featuring on summer pupil concert programmes; and providing music to delight friends with during school lunch hours. An absolute delight.
By Fiona Lau
AVAILABLE ON
Ludovico Einaudi: Graded Pieces For Piano – Preparatory To Grade 2
This exclusive folio presents 20 of Ludovico Einaudi’s most popular piano works in special arrangements matched to the grade criteria of the major examination boards.
Designed as a progressive course for beginner players, Einaudi’s pieces have been adapted to make them accessible to students, while retaining their unique beauty.
Ludovico Einaudi: Graded Pieces For Piano – Grades 3-5
This exclusive folio presents 20 of Ludovico Einaudi’s most popular piano works in special arrangements matched to the grade criteria of the major examination boards.
Designed as a progressive course for intermediate players, Einaudi’s pieces have been adapted to make them accessible to students, while retaining their unique beauty.