Notes from a Scottish Winter
Welcome to a new collection of original piano music - evoking the sights, sounds and feelings of a Scottish Winter.
I wrote these pieces over the past few years - with a thought of bringing them together one day. The album title is a nod to my first instrumental release Notes from a Scottish Summer - written during lockdown in 2020.
The short pieces help with sight reading practise for my piano students, and the longer ones are improvisations that solidified into compositions.
They all come from the heart of winter in Scotland, whether that's a cool crisp morning, delight in the snow, or a view of a December sky.
Cold start
For those mornings when your breath hangs in the cold air. The picture was taken in Balgay park, Dundee in late December 2022 - and I thought it could make an album cover one day!
Rivulets of ice
We hiked over the Sidlaw hills north of Dundee in January 2023, and came upon paths of solid ice, as if a stream had frozen overnight. They proved too slippery to walk on, after trying and failing to 'skate' on them we gave them a wide berth.
Seven foot snowman
One very snowy day I rolled enough large snowballs together to make a very tall snowman - the picture shows the snowman and me, plus our dog Jasper's tail...
Sledging in the sun
The excitement of a sunny sledging day. Adapted from Sledging time, one of the daily pieces written in December 2022. We rushed up the Sidlaws to make the most of it.
Mist on the Sidlaws
We hiked over the Sidlaws and saw ice and dense mist not visible below. This was part of our training to walk the West Highland Way later that year. The music has a hesitancy to it, suggesting lingering mist and wondering what's beyond.
Slush
When it's not cold enough for the ice to stay icy, and not warm enough for it to melt. A slow piece, with notes that are often squashed together in the chords on the right hand.
Snow dogs
Our dogs were unsure when first confronted with snow, but very keen to explore after getting their noses wet! Quite a joyful tune, with a swing and some triplets.
Warming your toes by the fire
Coming in from the cold, it's good to get warm again by the fire. Quavers moving up and down to signify the small movements as you regain warmth in your toes. The photo features Daisy at the stove.
First frost
A little crispy underfoot, the grass has a fresh silver sheen. Introducing drums and bass to complement the piano - this tune came from an improvisation.
Mince pies
Winter is a time for baking, cooking, eating and enjoying - and mince pies make a regular appearance! A shorter piece with a steady waltz tempo, and two contrasting parts.
Floating on the breeze
Away over the hills on the cold air , floating like a feather . . . This was a fairly long improvisation, with lots of delicate melodic explorations. The recording is in two parts which fit together, the second half echoing some themes from the first.
Take it to the tree
An improvisation on the zig-zags of a Christmas tree that took on a life of its own! Lots of alternating notes throughout, plus syncopation and interesting harmonies, with added drums and bass.
Tinsel time
That sparkle appears, in anticipation of the coming festive season! A light-hearted tune that nearly didn't make the cut, but I thought it would serve as a contrast to the more sombre pieces. The photo features Jasper in festive decorations.
White peaks of the Grampians
Inspired by a walk with friends in the Grampian mountains near Fort William between Christmas and New Year. The melody reaches upwards, while the accompaniment provides some depth.
Nativity
A simple scene that helps remember the reason Christmas is celebrated. The plaintive tune is inspired by the small ceramic pieces representing the figures around the manger.
Winter sky
There's often something magical about the sky in winter - the colours and the stark freshness. This is a contemplative piece, rounding up the album with a look above.