Written by Dame Evelyn Glennie
The piano has been a staple diet of mine since the age of 8. It was a joint first study along with percussion at the Royal Academy of Music, London and remains a crucial instrument for when I’m composing. Believe it or not, I enjoy a few minutes a day of sight-reading on piano when at home.
Freatured Image: Photo of Evelyn playing piano, from the mid-1980s. Photo credit: © The Evelyn Glennie Collection
In the above photograph, from the mid 1980s, I am playing a piece called Wishing for solo piano, which I originally wrote for flute and piano, and for solo piano, at the age of 15. You can imagine it was a proud moment for me to have this premiered at a school concert, which helped to ignite my composing journey.
Wishing – Handwritten Score for Flute and Piano (Page 1),
composed by Evelyn in 1981
© The Evelyn Glennie Collection
Wishing – Handwritten Score for Solo Piano (Page 1),
composed by Evelyn in 1981
© The Evelyn Glennie Collection
Some of you may be familiar with one of my better-known pieces, A Little Prayer, composed a few years earlier for solo marimba. A beautiful arrangement for solo piano has been created by John Palmer.
…There is no question that the piano will always be a central part of my musical journey…”
In the below photograph, taken at Bristol St George’s in September 2025, I am playing the piano part to Arvo Pärt’s Spiegel im Spiegel.
Photo of Evelyn playing piano at a concert in St George’s, Bristol. Photo credit: © Evan Dawson
It is fascinating to read the report cards from January 1985 for when I did the LRAM (Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music) for both the piano and percussion. After all, I have always regarded the piano as a percussion instrument!
Above: the Licentiateship Examination paper work for (Left) Pianoforte Teacher and (Right) Timpani and Percussion Teacher
Below: the Licentiate Certifications for (Left) Pianoforte Teacher and (Right) Timpani and Percussion Teacher
© The Evelyn Glennie Collection
The collections of piano pieces for young pianists by composers such as Tchaikovsky, Debussy, Chick Corea and many others, have given me great joy over the years. They were the inspiration behind writing my own collection of piano pieces for learners, Perpetual Motion.
There is no question that the piano will always be a central part of my musical journey, and the physical and mental benefits of playing this instrument remains a core part of my day.
Evelyn
A note on the photos included in the article above:
Unless otherwise noted, all of these artefacts – from photos to scores to report cards – form part of The Evelyn Glennie Collection. The Collection is open for small tours by appointment and you can find out more through the dedicated Collection page at The Evelyn Glennie Foundation website.
