Selected by Peter Rainsford

I was delighted when I came across Sparky’s Magic Piano on YouTube some years ago. I had totally forgotten about it. I used to listen to in on a Saturday morning when Family Favourites was on the radio.

We didn’t have a piano at the time, but it awakened a love for the instrument and when my parents were given a piano, I couldn’t wait to start lessons.

It is interesting to look back upon Sparky’s journey with the piano. I have attempted to play many of the piano works that are played on the recording, though I never managed to play the Flight of the Bumble Bee in half a minute! What comes round goes round. I am now teaching a pupil the Chopin C sharp minor waltz, one of the piano works included in the recording.

It seems quite dated now but I still remember my own sense of magic and excitement when I listen to Sparky’s Magic Piano.

Happy Days!