Debussy to Dame Edna – Isata’s Musical Influences

Selecting pieces to feature in Piano Inspiration – the new two volume collection of piano music published by ABRSM - was a labour of love for Isata Kanneh-Mason.

The books, for Grades 4 to 8+, include pieces by composers from Mozart to Coleridge-Taylor and Clara Schumann to Gershwin but getting the right selection wasn’t hard.

Isata, who chose all 28 pieces, said: “They are all pieces which I really love because I was able to choose lots of the music which had influenced me as a child. It was a big trip down memory lane but I was led by the heart which made it all so much easier and luckily, there weren’t any times when I was struggling to whittle things down.”

Many of the pieces included in the books, like Debussy’s The Little Shepherd and Schumann’s Knecht Ruprecht, played a big part in Isata’s own musical journey (the Schumann was part of Isata’s first ever piano competition) but it was a CD of Peter and the Wolf featuring the Australian comedian Barry Humphries that taught her one of the most important musical lessons of her childhood.

“It really showed me that music can be fun and that was so important. Music should be fun, and it should be social, listening and performing to each other - I hope the books can play a part in helping young musicians experience all these things.

“It’s important for them to try and build a music community, make friends with other musicians and go to as many music events as possible. It connects you, and when you feel connected it makes you more inspired to continue.”

Everything in the two volumes means a lot to Isata, but a couple of pieces clearly stand out. “The Man I Love by Gershwin is probably one of the pieces I love most simply because it is such a beautiful song, with a lovely arrangement for the piano. I also love the Clara Schumann Notturno No. 2,” Isata said.

Alongside her favourite pieces from classical, jazz and folk traditions, the books include new works by two truly inspirational female composers, Natalie Klouda and Errollyn Wallen, as well as Isata’s very own composition, Waltz, which she wrote specially for the books. “I used to write music when I was younger. I’m enjoying getting back into it now and it’s definitely something I’m interested in doing more in the future.”

Isata, who this autumn performs at New York’s Carnegie Hall as a soloist for the first time, is pleased with the end results of her work on the two Piano Inspiration books – another landmark in her glittering career. “I am proud that there is such a range of music, and that it also includes commissions from new composers.

“Every piece in the two volumes has been specially chosen because I wanted to have something in there for everyone and to include some pieces that people might not have heard of. I hope people discover something new!”