A Jewish Piano Wonderland transforms beloved Jewish melodies into poetic concert works for piano — to be listened to, played, taught, watched, and passed forward.

The project begins with a six-piece solo piano cycle inspired by melodies of Shabbat, Hanukkah, Passover, the High Holy Days, home, resilience, and Jewish continuity. Each work will be professionally recorded, filmed, engraved, published, and

supported by companion learning materials.

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This is more than an album or a book. It is a living cultural resource: music that renews inherited tradition through artistry, beauty, and accessibility.

Phase 1: The Piano Collection

The first phase will create a complete six-work solo piano cycle, including:

• Concert-level piano arrangements

• Professional studio recordings

• Filmed performances

• Illustrated print and digital sheet music

• Overhead tutorial videos

• Educational and community outreach

The proposed repertoire includes Shir LaMa’alot, Adon HaSelichot, Shalom Alechem, Vehi She’Amda, Ma’oz Tzur, and Nerotai HaZeirim — melodies connected to blessing, prayer, family, memory, light, and continuity.

A Proven Model

The project builds on A Wintry Piano Wonderland, Oded Essner’s earlier collection, combining sophisticated piano writing, visual storytelling, published notation, and instructional videos. That project was published by GIA Music Publications, a leading publisher of sacred and educational music.

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A Jewish Piano Wonderland brings that same model to Jewish musical life: creating works that can live on the concert stage, in homes, classrooms, synagogues, JCCs, and communities around the world.

Future Vision

After the solo piano collection, selected works may be expanded into orchestral and ensemble versions for concerts, schools, youth ensembles, community programs, festivals, and cultural institutions.

The long-term vision is a body of music that travels: from pianist to student, from family to community, from tradition to new artistic life.

Support the Project

A Jewish Piano Wonderland is seeking philanthropic and institutional partners to help bring Phase 1 to life.

Support will enable the creation of the full piano cycle, professional recordings, filmed performances, illustrated sheet music, tutorial videos, and outreach to educators, musicians, families, and Jewish cultural institutions.

To learn more, partner, or request the full project brief:
oded.essner@pianowonderland.com

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