Sellar, Ruth - A Musical Year

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