Mark Tanner

Pieces of Eight

Pieces of Eight is an original concert piece for piano lasting a smidgen over 5 minutes. Subtitled 'Scenes from Peter Pan, for four intrepid pianists', the music launches with a bold flourish - a tantalisingly brief glimpse from Neverland, which gives way to a gritty yet enchanting introduction to Peter Pan and The Lost Boys. It's not too long before we hear from Captain Hook - dasterdly and menacing - music which moves without delay into Fairies; a flighty, windswept scene that races unstoppably towards the music's first short pause for breath. Wendy Darling's tune is affectionate and yearning, its harmonies wandering freely around all regions of the keyboard. Mr Smee's entrance is abrupt and rudely unexpected - music to blow away any clouds which may have gathered. What follows is a welcome new sound-texture in the form of Tinker Bell. And then, soaring and fearless, comes Peter Pan Flies, music to nudge the narrative decisively forwards; the Fight Scene which follows is brash and exciting for all four players as the hands dart in and out from the keys - now red hot from the all the rough and tumble. Hook's Last Stand keeps the players (and audience) on their toes - the penultimate scene in this excitable, effervescent piece. The concluding scene, An Intrepid Escape, brings the music to a rousing, breathless conclusion, from which all four pianists can take a well-earned rest...

First performance given in 2015 by members of Trinity College London, Junior Department, at The Wigmore Hall, London, under the tutelage of Nadia Lasserson and Murray McLachlan. To be performed as a continuous concert piece.