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Impressions
The present
edition is a collection of pieces composed sporadically over a number
of years. Each piece has its distinctive style and mood. The
Cobblers Shop, for example, written in two part counterpoint,
is reminiscent of a lively English folk song, whereas the sombre
harmonies of Silent Place may be recognised as being distinctively
impressionistic. Some of the present pieces were written specifically
with the aspiring student in mind, in which case an attempt was
made to produce music which sounds beautiful while avoiding unnecessary
technical difficulties. Extensive use of the higher positions on
the fingerboard has generally been avoided. On the other hand, Sailing
and Tripod, musically both very simple, are played entirely
in the fourth and fifth positions respectively and are intended
to assist the student in learning the notes on the higher frets.
Though these pieces are embraced by the title Impressions
the performer may change their order or even omit some of them to
suit his or her taste. The composer himself has recorded the first
eight pieces in the present order. The ninth piece was subsequently
added for this edition.
Great effort
has been made to provide sensible fingerings for the left hand.
Nevertheless, to avoid cluttering and a method of sight-reading
whereby one is seduced into reading numbers rather than notes, fingerings
have been omitted when they are obvious or can be inferred. In some
cases they have been omitted when more than one good fingering solution
is possible. The performer may then write in his or her individual
fingering without having to cross anything out.
Richard Miles
Jackman
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