- Audio CD (26 Feb 2008)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Sanctuary
- ASIN: B0002AAPOY
- Other Editions: Audio CD
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 64,018 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
Jubilee Offer: Patriotic Classics for £2.50 |
Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. In My Own Words |
| 2. Heatmiser 2 |
| 3. Hidden |
| 4. Gentle Piece |
| 5. Weather Storm |
| 6. Diffuse |
| 7. Leaving Paris |
| 8. Fugue |
| 9. Theme from Orphans |
| 10. 1st Waltz |
| 11. Satine’s Theme |
| 12. Morning Breaks |
| 13. Laura’s Theme |
| 14. Glasgow Love Theme |
| 15. Delay |
| 16. Hymn 3 |
| 17. Angelina |
| 18. Childhood 2 |
| 19. Sunrise |
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is an album to dissolve into, a bit like the best hot bath you've ever had. As I have got to know it I have fallen deeply in love with it.
Craig Armstrong is a talented guy. As well as his classical and film works (including scores for The Bone Collector and Baz Luhman's Romeo and Juliet), he has worked with artists such as Massive Attack, Madonna, U2, The Future Sound of London, and Björk; he also orchestrated the themes to GoldenEye, Batman Forever, and Mission Impossible.
This is a much smaller scale album: simply Armostrong and a piano. The instrument is wonderfully recorded - I don't think I have ever heard so much richness of tone from an instrument that was never my favourite on its own. Several of the tracks use studio technology (loops, delays, envelope editing, reversing) and unconventional playing methods (plucking or stumming strings) to create a wider sound palette, though as he says, all the sounds originate from the piano.
The mood is intimate, reflective, inclusive. The 19 pieces are roughly song length, and most leave you wishing they were longer. Goregeous melodies, intelligent developments and brilliant arrangements combine to create an album that elevates the listener and gently leads you to a state of serenity, celebration and quiet joy. Fantastic for careful listening, meditation, driving or any situation where you want to be calmed and feel good about humanity.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Craig Armstrong is one of today's greatest orchestral composers, but on this album we hear more of his quieter, more reflective side. And he's all the better for it. While I absolutely adore Armstrong's epic orchestral arrangements, I love his simplistic piano pieces just as much.
Armstrong's "Piano Works" is reminiscent of Grieg's calmer, more romantic moments, Massive Attack's simpler, jazzier moments, and John William's more dramatic, less cheesy moments. Yet still he retains his individual sound.
Whereas the fantastic Cinematic Orchestra wrote an album based on a film, a film director has made a film based on Armstrong's "Piano Works". If it is anything near as elegant and evocative as the album itself, it will be worth checking out.
Craig Armstrong retains my utmost respect, then, with his sublime and uncluttered album. This man never fails to impress me.
Armstrong's "Piano Works" is reminiscent of Grieg's calmer, more romantic moments, Massive Attack's simpler, jazzier moments, and John William's more dramatic, less cheesy moments. Yet still he retains his individual sound.
Whereas the fantastic Cinematic Orchestra wrote an album based on a film, a film director has made a film based on Armstrong's "Piano Works". If it is anything near as elegant and evocative as the album itself, it will be worth checking out.
Craig Armstrong retains my utmost respect, then, with his sublime and uncluttered album. This man never fails to impress me.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is absolutely one of the best instrumental albums I've ever heard. It's haunting, cinematic and moving in so many places. I've been a fan of Armstrong since his work with Massive Attack, but nothing prepared me for the simplicity and reverence of Piano Works. All my coworkers kept drifting into my office wanting to know what I was listening to and lingered. That's the sign of a good album. Weather Storm, Fugue and Angelina are my favorite tracks, but it's hard to really have a favorite when it all flows so beautifully together as a suite. Put this album on the player on a rainy afternoon and you will instantly be transported to Paris. When is the accompanying film going to be released on DVD? The trailer included on the multi-media section of the disc is breathtaking: beautiful shots of Paris, vistas of trees and empty chairs, a horse and buggy running down a beach, the Eiffel Tower peaking over the trees, the windmill of the Moulin Rouge and Armstrong at the piano playing an overture of the music on the album. Another brilliant piece of work by one of our great modern composers.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Breathtaking
Absolutely breathtaking compositions by Craig Armstrong! I am a film composer and I found this album a must have especially for those who appreciate good music! Read more
Published 5 months ago by Dimitris
Taken in context a rather sweet ablum
I can see where 'ajking22' is coming from but I'm not surprised with the disappointment after listening to 'real' classical pianists like Satie. Read more
Published on 19 July 2007 by Darren
Is it ambient? Is it classical? Is it chillout?
The answer is that it's probably all of the above and if you're into any of them then you need this in your collection. Read more
Published on 13 July 2007 by R. Evans
HEAVEN
If you could hear heaven it would sound like this. Best listened to as you go to sleep.
Published on 15 Jan 2006 by R G Simpson
Bland and self-regarding
Assuming anyone reading this will already be a Craig Armstrong fan I expect this review to be slated, but I was recommended this album having never heard Craig Armstrong, and I... Read more
Published on 15 Aug 2005 by A. J. King
Simply Stunning
I bought this album after hearing a 30 second intro somewhere on the web. Being a player of the piano myself i love to just sit and listen to its magical soothing tones. Read more
Published on 23 Jun 2005 by jeff c
craig!! u did it again :-)
after going thru a fair bit of effort,i finally got my hands on this cd imported from england cause we still can't get them here in australia. and i must say it is just amazing!. Read more
Published on 6 Aug 2004 by "marzk"
Melancholy but beautiful
I became a fan of Craig Armstrong from the "Love Actually" soundtrack album, then found his website: craigarmstrong.com, only to discover his newly released "Piano Works". Read more
Published on 13 July 2004 by Chris Callahan
He never fails to produce the goods!
Once again Armstrong has produced something truly magnificent. If you dont enjoy this music there must be a large section of your soul missing. Read more
Published on 10 July 2004 by Jeremy
This Man is a Genius
This Man is really a genius with his composing abilities.
His Solo-Works and Soundtracks are the most beautiful contemporary music around. Read more
His Solo-Works and Soundtracks are the most beautiful contemporary music around. Read more
Published on 3 July 2004 by UweB
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