Beyond the Magical Mystical
'Beyond the Magical Mystical' is a continuing journey from 'Magical Mystical', and remains a beloved favourite of piano students around the world.
'Magical Mystical' was written to inspire the imaginations of children, teens and adults, talking them on a wondrous odyssey of magical and mystical ideas whilst guiding, encouraging and supporting them towards beauty in tonal expression.
'Beyond the Magical Mystical' takes that journey a step further, expanding the level of difficulty and broadening the techniques and skills established in the first book.
This book is a journey of the imagination, an exploration and an experience to be enjoyed purely for the magic it brings to each person who plays and listens to it.
Track List & Recordings
1. The Wandering
'The Wandering' is a calm, flowing piano solo which requires beautiful phrase shaping and subtle emphasis on highlighted notes.
The overall feeling of tranquil onward motion is disturbed only by these gentle 'pushes' which may be thought of as little humps that one may encounter in the course of one's journey.
While 'The Wandering' is relatively easy to read, successfully creating an imaginative picture will require skill in shaping the phrases and subtle nuance in the dynamics.
Early Intermediate Level
1st - 2nd Grade AMEB/ANZCA
2nd - 3rd Grade ABRSM
3. Tower Window
'Tower Window' paints an atmospheric picture of days long gone, when knights ride into battle and beautiful maidens wait at their tower window for the safe return of their beloved ...
... or perhaps someone else is behind that tower window and an altogether different picture is emerging in the land beyond ...
'Tower Window' is an evocative piece which stirs feelings of darkness and mystery, lightness and hope, power and strength.
Clear voicing as the melody alternates between the hands, and thoughtful rubato will all contribute to bring an imaginative picture to life.
Early Intermediate Level
2nd Grade AMEB/ANZCA
3rd Grade ABRSM
5. Mystic Sword
'Mystic Sword' is powerful and strong but also kind and compassionate, just and true. Mystic Sword never misses its mark - its intentions are clear and unwavering and always fair.
Bring this picture to life with strong clean chords, elegantly shaped phrasing, nuanced dynamics and subtle use of rubato to create a sense of expectation and accomplishment.
Mid Intermediate Level
3rd Grade AMEB/ANZCA
4th Grade ABRSM
7. Stone Circle
'Stone Circle' evokes strength and resilience, mystery and timelessness ... many stories, many mysteries are etched into its walls.
Share these long forgotten secrets through thoughtful voicing, focused dynamics and expressive phrasing.
Mid-Intermediate Level
3rd Grade AMEB/ANZCA
4th Grade ABRSM
9. Taming Dragons
'Taming Dragons' is dark and mysterious, powerful yet lyrical, evoking the flight of the dragon as she learns to navigate her wings and soar through the sky.
Bring this picture to life through nuanced dynamics, expressive phrase shaping and clever use of rubato to create a sense of flow and of growing excitement.
Late Intermediate Level
4th Grade AMEB/ANZCA
5th Grade ABRSM
11. Winter Solstice
'Winter Solstice' evokes the shifting changes of winter balanced against its sameness. There is darkness and there is light, and within the continuous movement there is yet a sense of stasis ... And so it drives inexorably onward ...
An imaginative picture can be created through delicate, clean voicing, subtle dynamic changes and thoughtful application of rubato.
Mid Intermediate Level
3rd Grade AMEB/ANZCA
4th Grade ABRSM
2. Crystal Cave
'Crystal Cave' is light and delicate, evoking pictures of a magical subterranean world.
This piece features sparkling voicing, light gentle phrasing which alights into nothingness, and moments of thoughtfulness contrasting with a sense of onward motion which gives the student an opportunity to explore rubato.
Early Intermediate Level
2nd Grade AMEB/ANZCA
3rd Grade ABRSM
4. Into the Gloaming
'Into the Gloaming' takes the student and the listener into the twilight, when the sun has almost died and a faint silver glow paints the world.
The moment, all too brief, is atmospheric, mysterious and completely magical, filled with dark shadows and visions that may or may not be there, always just a little out of sight ...
Bringing this picture to life requires subtle nuance in the voicing as the hands cross over and back, and the melodic interest shifts from one voice to the other ...
Mid Intermediate Level
3rd Grade AMEB/ANZCA
4th Grade ABRSM
6. Wood Nymph
'Wood Nymph' is light and playful, cavorting through the forest with not a care in the world.
A clear, cantabile tone is needed to depict her delicate tread as she frolics happily along, pausing here and there to smell a flower or pick a mushroom before continuing on her merry way.
There is ample opportunity for the student to explore rubato to help create this picture.
Early Intermediate Level
2nd Grade AMEB/ANZCA
3rd Grade ABRSM