Mel Stallwood
Valley of the Ice Flowers
© 2007 Mel Stallwood (634479714245) (format: CD-R)
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Breathtakingly beautiful original piano music, inspired by the peace, serenity and mythology of Teesdale and England's North Pennines
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Although I have spent most of my life playing Jazz and experimenting with contemporary ideas, I have always secretly loved playing and listening to the music of WA Mozart, which somehow gives me a wonderful uplifting and joyful experience and eases any stress and conflicts I may have within. I also love the piano music of Chopin and some of the impressionistic works of composers like Debussy. Some music can help to wash away some of the hurt of life. I hope my personal love for music that simply portrays the love, beauty and joy of life (rather than the more unhealthy and seedy things) will come through in this album.
The best musician in my family by far was my Grandfather. (Frank Snr. Father's side) Grandpa had a wonderful tenor voice being blessed with perfect pitch and played the banjo, mandolin (basically anything with strings attached) and also played a mean harmonica. He played in several big-bands during the 20's & 30's and fronted his own smaller combo's too. My Father (Norman) played exclusively from the printed copy and his preference in music was mainly Popular music from the Forties, songs from the musicals and light classics. My Fathers brother (Frank Jnr.), however was more inclined toward Jazz and improvised music. One day he arrived and on being invited to play the piano suddenly launched himself into this wild and exciting 'Boogie' style which he had cultivated in Army NAAFI's during the war. The value (or dangers) of inspiration couldn't be more evident because that moment undoubted changed my life. Within a couple of years (age 16) I was recording music for DECCA & POLYDOR records, and at 17 I had left home and was making a living playing piano and organ every evening with a jazz trio at a local night-spot. This played havoc with my formal classical studies but provided me with more than 20 unforgettable years living in different lands, meeting and working with well known vocalists and entertainers, and enjoying and sharing music to the full. These experiences have subsequently helped me to achieve a successful teaching practice in my local community for several years in Cambridgeshire and now in Teesdale. And gave me the time to try and compose some tunes.
Regarding 'Valley of the Ice Flowers' I have a book called 'England's Last Wilderness' by David Bellamy and Brendan Quayle, which documents the local myths and legends of the Northern Pennines going back to its Celtic and Norse roots. It provided my inspiration for much of this album, especially after visiting some of the remote locations, as the book says "the north pennines are one of the most magical, yet least discovered areas in England. A land of moor and mountain, of hidden valleys and ancient woodland. Please email me if you would like any more information on the stories behind the tunes. (do I sound like a travel agent?)
By the way, if you play the piano and would like the music score I will send the whole thing FREE as a PDF file (email) or give you a download location, but please buy the CD first.
Thanks,
Mel.