Despite any intention of adhering to the adage not to judge a book by its cover, one can’t help but feel like they will be in for a treat when exploring the piano music tucked inside the enchanting covers of My Forest Notebook by Angeline Bell.
And I must say, the music inside is every bit as lovely as the colorful cover promises. Each piece is titled after a kind of tree. The first in the collection, Copper Beech, is deceptively simple compared to the rest of the book. The alternating time signatures (7/4, 6/4, 5/4, 3/4, and even a 6/4 in the right hand against a 12/8 in the left hand) present the most obvious challenge while the opening theme is primarily broken chords split between the hands.
Ms. Bell subtitles her book, “15 peaceful piano solos,” and, indeed, the collection is immanently peaceful, perfect for prelude music and reminiscent of a soundtrack to a Jane Austen film.
My Forest Notebook is more difficult than the previous collection I reviewed, My Seaside Notebook. It’s suitable for a late intermediate student (or for your own playing enjoyment!). Noble Fir (pictured above) is an example of some of the rich harmonies employed in Ms. Bell’s compositions. Nearly every piece in this collection is in a minor key, and many of them boast 4+ sharps or flats in the key signature. She weaves syncopation, 2 against 3 polyrhythms, and a repeating tresillo rhythm (3+3+2; I know that’s what it’s called because she explains it in her performance notes for each piece at the beginning of the book!) throughout for rhythmic interest. Several pieces especially give off a contemporary vibe (Maple and Mountain Ash), and one is so mournful (Poderosa) you might even elicit a few tears in your listeners.
Here’s a brief video compilation with snippets of each piece. Check out the Angeline Bell YouTube Channel for full recordings of each piece. I’m delighted to add this book to my library of piano music and know it will bring hours of playing pleasure for many years to come!
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