Ten pieces inspired by stations and lines of the London Underground.
Contents
- Circle Line — This piece has a nice feeling of momentum as well as excitement. Always inventive, always heading in unexpected but somehow inevitable directions.
- Angel — A sinuous 3/2 idea creates movement as well as an overall feeling of calm. The piece is harmonically restless (but in a good way!)
- Elephant and Castle — This starts with heavy-footed (elephant-like) left hand chords which underpin a slightly exotic right hand idea in 4ths and 5ths. The piece builds before a flowing left hand supports a lovely right hand melody. The initial idea returns and dissolves into silence.
- Metropolitan — This is in a rhythmic style, befitting its name. A positively funky main idea is contrasted with brassy chords.
- Perivale — This a is a mysterious piece in 3/4, featuring exotic harmonies and leading to maybe exotic destinations. A beautiful main melody takes centre stage before the opening chords return.
- Seven Sisters — Naturally, this piece starts in 7/8, contrasted with Latin-tinged 4/4 passages.
- White City — Bell-like chords usher in a plaintive melody underpinned by restless harmonies, creating a mysterious and slightly exotic effect.
- Stamford Brook — In a flowing 12/8, this piece has a pastoral quality, with the changing harmonies summoning up an ever-changing landscape.
- Parsons Green — Almost hymn-like (a reference to the parson) with a wonderfully varied harmonic palette. The left hand takes over melodic duties before a serene restatement.
- Mill Hill East — A long-limbed melody is featured, full of syncopations and triplets , leading to a section in 3/4-6/8 before an extended and serene restatement.
Reviews
“Rob Hall has written a set of pieces using some of London’s underground stations and lines as inspiration. They are unfailingly well-written, interesting harmonically and full of lovely melodies. Suitable for intermediate to advanced players, they will appeal to audiences because they are evocative as well as clearly structured. I heartily recommend them as delightful additions to the contemporary piano repertoire.”
— Christopher Norton (Composer of the 'MicroJazz' series)
Listen to audio samples
A short excerpt from 2. ANGEL
A short excerpt from 4. METROPOLITAN
A short excerpt from 1. CIRCLE LINE
Sample Pages
