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Album Description
The title is GENESIS FOR TWO GRAND PIANOS. Norwegian classical pianists Yngve Guddal and Roger T. Matte have arranged some of those fiendishly complicated Genesis tunes for two pianos. The recordings took place during 1999 / 2000 on two Steinway D Grand Pianos in the Concert Hall at the Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo, Norway. The sleeve is by Paul Whitehead, famous for his covers for several of the early Genesis albums.
Genesis guitarist STEVE HACKETT comments "Genesis For Two Grand Pianos is an ingenious and thoughtful project delivered in a virtuosic style reminiscent in places of Stravinsky's work for two pianos. It seems as if classical hands have firmly grasped the torch originally lit by a rock band who often looked to music's roots in the first place. Genesis' largely keyboard based tunes are cleverly reduced to their constituent parts most effectively to my mind and in some cases have only gained in his unique interpretation."
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
When I saw this on Amazon, I had to buy it, as it combined two of my favourite things in music: Genesis and the piano. This just seemed like a dream come true.
For the most part, it is great. However, there are a couple of quirks I'm not too impressed with.
1. The Fountain of Salmacis - Excellent use of dynamics, and very faithful to the original. I prefer this to the original!
2. Mad Man Moon - This sounds like a good idea until you realise that most of it was piano anyway. Not too different to the original (bar the obvious lack of vocals and drums), so not exactly a selling point for the album. However, there's a couple of weird chords in the bit leading up to "a dream of Man Man Moon" (if you can remember where Collins sings that in the original). People I've played it to have said it sounds OK, but I'm not sure about it at all. It just sounds wrong.
3. Can-Utility and the Coastliners - The soft accompaniment at the start of the original is ruined by a poor arrangement, or poor playing - it just sounds like they're banging out a couple of chords. Then the accompaniment plays a bit more faithfully. Most of this track is OK, but it's a missed opportunity as it's such a lovely track.
4. One for the Vine - My favourite track on the album, and a spectacular version except for the atonal interpretation of the percussion-only section (just after an alarm bell rings in the original). Great overall, just a bit odd here!
5. Down and Out - The beginning is a work of genius: it sounds a bit like rain. This is brought alive by the sometimes "angry" playing, and is a joy to listen to.
6. Duke's Travels - It's missing the intro and Duke's End isn't here either, but this track is the essence of Duke's Travels. It's a whole new world compared to the instrumentation of the original, but it hasn't lost its appeal at all. This is one of the few tracks where it's arguably better than the original in many ways - if you like piano music, of course.
7. Evidence of Autumn - An anomaly for which I had to dig out Archive 2. Not bad, but hardly on the scale of the other pieces. Still worth a listen, though.
In conclusion, I'd say that if you enjoy piano music or you're a Genesis fan, this is definitely worth buying. It's much more satisfying if you know the originals well, though.
For the most part, it is great. However, there are a couple of quirks I'm not too impressed with.
1. The Fountain of Salmacis - Excellent use of dynamics, and very faithful to the original. I prefer this to the original!
2. Mad Man Moon - This sounds like a good idea until you realise that most of it was piano anyway. Not too different to the original (bar the obvious lack of vocals and drums), so not exactly a selling point for the album. However, there's a couple of weird chords in the bit leading up to "a dream of Man Man Moon" (if you can remember where Collins sings that in the original). People I've played it to have said it sounds OK, but I'm not sure about it at all. It just sounds wrong.
3. Can-Utility and the Coastliners - The soft accompaniment at the start of the original is ruined by a poor arrangement, or poor playing - it just sounds like they're banging out a couple of chords. Then the accompaniment plays a bit more faithfully. Most of this track is OK, but it's a missed opportunity as it's such a lovely track.
4. One for the Vine - My favourite track on the album, and a spectacular version except for the atonal interpretation of the percussion-only section (just after an alarm bell rings in the original). Great overall, just a bit odd here!
5. Down and Out - The beginning is a work of genius: it sounds a bit like rain. This is brought alive by the sometimes "angry" playing, and is a joy to listen to.
6. Duke's Travels - It's missing the intro and Duke's End isn't here either, but this track is the essence of Duke's Travels. It's a whole new world compared to the instrumentation of the original, but it hasn't lost its appeal at all. This is one of the few tracks where it's arguably better than the original in many ways - if you like piano music, of course.
7. Evidence of Autumn - An anomaly for which I had to dig out Archive 2. Not bad, but hardly on the scale of the other pieces. Still worth a listen, though.
In conclusion, I'd say that if you enjoy piano music or you're a Genesis fan, this is definitely worth buying. It's much more satisfying if you know the originals well, though.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a real joy. Some of the longer, more complex pieces that typified pre-pop Genesis are given an airing here and really stand up well. I just love Salmacis, Can-Utility and Vine. Great for Genesis fans, great for anyone who likes beautifully crafted piano pieces. However, a word of warning: fans of Genesis-Lite (i.e. the Phil Collins pop stuff) probably won't get on with it.
Format:Audio CD
I really love this album... for its stunning beauty, for an evidence of a dedication to the work of particular artist - because what else could justify a painstaking work of arranging songs of a (progressive) rock band for two pianos? But it's always a lot of fun just to play it to people who admit that rock is somehow inferior to other kinds of music. Asking them what style it is, do they like it... aha, now try this - and summon the original versions. Surprise!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A good try but................
When I came across this cd I had to have it and on first hearing quite enjoyed the slightly different arrangement on old favourites. Read more
Published on 16 May 2008 by Sennytor
The whole thing just feels right
This is certainly not "Music for pleasure" style. This is a serious attempt to recreate the soul of these Genesis tracks by using just two grand pianos. Read more
Published on 16 Jan 2007 by Mordechaiipa
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