This pair of attractive piano pieces was written to commemorate the births of Prince George (2013) and Princess Charlotte (2015). Also enjoyed by readers of Pianist Magazine, the music inhabits a gentle, soporific mood: a lullaby and a nocturne. Quick-witted pianists may spot the allusion to the bells of Westminster in the opening chords of the Nocturne; cast in the key of C major, the top notes spell out the initials of Charlotte Elizabeth Diana: CDE. The faintest whiff of an oft-quoted piano piece by Debussy might also be detected in the penultimate line.

Mark Tanner’s own recording of Lullaby for Prince George (2013) is regularly broadcast on Classic FM.  You can hear it here: