Jay 37,378 Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 Simone told me that The Book Thief was the first time that piano arrangements by Williams were published Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,484 Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 32 minutes ago, Jay said: Simone told me that The Book Thief was the first time that piano arrangements by Williams were published Ok, pheww.. I love that info, because I wondered how many piano arrangements I had missed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will 2,215 Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 I didn't make much notice of then, but now that I realize there are some Williams arrangements in it, I'm looking forward to it! Bespin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocelot 508 Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 I forgot how much I absolutely adore Sabrina. I have no idea what I did with my CD of it. Wish I still had that full CD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aviazn 273 Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 On 5/29/2017 at 1:29 PM, artguy360 said: I think this is the second JW piano album this guy has made or maybe there are even more, but something about the recording and transcriptions just don't work for me. Between the recording quality sounding not bad but very dry, and the renditions themselves, this great JW music ends up sounding boring. It's like a guide to how to write boring solo piano versions of JW's music. That sounds harsh but this approach just doesn't work for me. Fair enough, but Simone's rendition of Buckbeak's Flight is maybe my favorite piano transcription of JW's work of all time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 I got a shipping notification from Varese with a tracking number even though the release date isn't until July 7th. I'm not complaining! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loert 2,515 Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 On 2017-6-5 at 5:22 AM, aviazn said: Fair enough, but Simone's rendition of Buckbeak's Flight is maybe my favorite piano transcription of JW's work of all time. Well, that's sure to catch the listeners' attention! aviazn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbellamy 6,298 Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 Lol the intro? Yeahhh I dunno how I feel about that... I think that transcription (or maybe the performance) is a little much. Sorta loses the character of the piece for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted June 10, 2017 Share Posted June 10, 2017 I got the CD in the mail today! Can't wait to listen tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 Great album! I'll be returning to this one all Summer. On 6/9/2017 at 1:54 PM, Loert said: Well, that's sure to catch the listeners' attention! On 6/9/2017 at 2:13 PM, mrbellamy said: Lol the intro? Yeahhh I dunno how I feel about that... I think that transcription (or maybe the performance) is a little much. Sorta loses the character of the piece for me. I can confirm that the opening is performed with actual drums on the album, then it goes into the piano transcription aviazn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post TownerFan 4,984 Posted June 12, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted June 12, 2017 I'm perhaps biased toward Simone's work, since I'm friend with him and I followed the genesis and development of this project since its beginning. Of course everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, but I think this is a gem not to be missed for every JWFan. We already had other people trying their own versions of adapting JW music for solo piano, but imho this is the very first time that it's being done so successfully and artfully. Other than being an amazing classical pianist, Pedroni is a true JW admirer like few others, he knows his music inside out and he's able to get to the core of the pieces he performs. Just listen to his rendition of Presumed Innocent and you'll know what I mean. Of course having JW's blessing on the project and being published by such a prestigious label like Varèse is something that makes this project all the more special. Miguel Andrade, Mari, Will and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ymenard 54 Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 Anybody has info on the first album he supposedly did with JW material? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TownerFan 4,984 Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 6 hours ago, ymenard said: Anybody has info on the first album he supposedly did with JW material? This is Pedroni's first album with JW music. He performed a lot of these arrangements in his own recitals, but this is the first official recording. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 "The Asteroid Field" performance is freakin' awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel Andrade 1,264 Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 On 18/06/2017 at 5:02 AM, ymenard said: Anybody has info on the first album he supposedly did with JW material? You're probably thinking of this album. http://www.jw-collection.de/compilations/enguerrand.htm Not by Simone Pedroni, as mentioned earlier but rather by Enguerrand-Friedrich-Lühl, who I believe recorded more Williams music transcribed for piano. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt S. 493 Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 How does this album compare to Dan Redfeld's Across the Stars album? I have to say, that isn't really one I'll return to very often. The readings aren't very lively, and just don't really hold my interest. Not sure if it's because they're piano solos, or due to the performance itself. If anyone can offer a comparison, I'd love to know more. For reference, this is the album I have and am referring to: http://www4.screenarchives.com/title_detail.cfm/ID/31142/ACROSS-THE-STARS-THE-FILM-MUSIC-OF-JOHN-WILLIAMS-FOR-SOLO-PIANO/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel Andrade 1,264 Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 I have the previous Dan Redfeld's disc (https://buysoundtrax.greedbag.com/buy/schindlers-list-the-film-music-o-0/) and it quite under impressed me. From what I've heard of Simone's playing, his disc should be vastly superior. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,484 Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 3 hours ago, Miguel Andrade said: I have the previous Dan Redfeld's disc (https://buysoundtrax.greedbag.com/buy/schindlers-list-the-film-music-o-0/) and it quite under impressed me. From what I've heard of Simone's playing, his disc should be vastly superior. I wasn't impressed much by the Redfeld's album too. Anyway, this kind of album is always a candy mix... always one or two tracks that are good, the rest is filling. But Pedroni's album seems to be on another level. And I pre-ordered it as soon as I learned that it's featuring some Williams's own arrangements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel Andrade 1,264 Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 Redfeld's also features Williams own versions (if not every single track, at least several of them). What bugs me is the playing and recording. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,484 Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 9 minutes ago, Miguel Andrade said: Redfeld's also features Williams own versions (if not every single track, at least several of them). What bugs me is the playing and recording. Ok I didn't kow, but like you said... there is the playing issue. I don't know if new commers in "classical music" understand the differences that the "playing" can make on the listening experience. I previously wrote about the "color" of an album, for me it's very important. I usually like it totally or not, and there is no way I can explain it, except talking about the "color" of it :-) Of course, there is a matter of taste also... and artistical approach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,484 Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 This album is a little bit disappointing. A part from the great suites from Lincoln and The Boof Thief, it's really a candy-mix. I don't know what pieces like Asteroid Fields and Luke and Leia do on this album, they seems really lost on it. And Aunt Marge Waltz on the piano... Really? Then, there is the playing. Okay, Simone Pedroni is good, but he plays with such... hesitations... I usually hate those kinds of pianists. I feel I should slap them on the face to "unlock" them... and sometimes it really appears to be so painful for them to play, we would want to give them some Metamucil. In overall, that's not bad... but it's not a great album. That's not really the instant crush I had on the Lockhart album by example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,716 Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 I just got this one and I while I was a bit hesitant to get it as some of the previous piano-only albums have been somewhat iffy in terms of selection and performances am quite happy with the performances and selections here and Pedroni's own transcriptions aren't half-bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,484 Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 1 minute ago, Incanus said: (...) aren't half-bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 That "Asteroid Field" transcription is somethin' else, I'm tellin' ya. Hoo boy that's good stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,716 Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 1 minute ago, Disco Stu said: That "Asteroid Field" transcription is somethin' else, I'm tellin' ya. Hoo boy that's good stuff. Agreed. 2 minutes ago, Bespin said: Meaning they are quite good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,484 Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 For me it's an horror to mix apples and oranges ike this on an album. If Predoni makes 2 or 3 more albums, maybe the "best-of" would look like something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,716 Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Just now, Bespin said: For me it's an horror to mix appels and oranges ike this on an album. If he makes 2 or 3 more, the "best-of" could be listenable. Speaking of these compilations have you heard Keisuke Wakao Plays the Music of John Williams? Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous stuff even though not arranged by the composer himself. Oboe, string quartet, piano and harp and Williams making a cameo on the last track, Stepmom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,484 Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Just now, Incanus said: Speaking of these compilations have you heard Keisuke Wakao Plays the Music of John Williams? Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous stuff even though not arranged by the composer himself. Oboe, string quartet, piano and harp and Williams making a cameo on the last track, Stepmom. My only comment about this album is : geeedddbbllblfhhhpffff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,716 Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 3 minutes ago, Bespin said: My only comment about this album is : geeedddbbllblfhhhpffff You were impressed enough to be rendered speechless? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 I had never heard of this album and I am loving this arrangement of The Accidental Tourist theme. Is there any way to hear this beyond finding a used CD? Doesn't seem to be on streaming services? EDIT: Youtube playlist of the full album: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,484 Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 24 minutes ago, Incanus said: Meaning? Excuse me my doctor tries new medecine on me. The Oboe piano reduction wrote by Williams himself, and played by Williams himself is the highlight of the album. The rest is sometimes candy mix, personnaly, I don't like those kinds of albums. You have to pick 2 or 3 cues you like, but it's rather impossible to listen to it from the beginningto the end, it'S pretty much shambolic. Like the album of Pedroni. It's sometimes grand art, it sometimes : "Look 'ma, without the hands!!!". Does this album will propulse the career of these artists, I mean using the name of "JOHN WILLIAMS" in big on their album. I sincerely hope. Will they become stars of the business instantly just because of this? Never. Do you still wonder why the Wakao album is still hard to find those days? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 We are very different people, Bespin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,484 Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 3 minutes ago, Disco Stu said: We are very different people, Bespin. I only speak for me and the 194 persons in my head at this moment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 1 minute ago, Bespin said: I only speak for me and the 194 persons in my head at this moment! Uh huh? Oh that's very interesting. *backs away slowly* *backs away slowly* *backs away slowly* *sprints* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,484 Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 4 minutes ago, Disco Stu said: Uh huh? Oh that's very interesting. *backs away slowly* *backs away slowly* *backs away slowly* *sprints* Wait, are your trying an exorcism on me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 The fact that Williams himself plays the piano makes this Keisuke Wakao album completely essential to me (yes this album went from being unknown to me to essential in the space of a morning). Listen to John's beautiful playing on the Sabrina theme! Unless the credit on the video description is incorrect. Cue someone telling me the credit is incorrect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,716 Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 1 minute ago, Disco Stu said: The fact that Williams himself plays the piano makes this Keisuke Wakao album completely essential to me (yes this album went from being unknown to me to essential in the space of a morning). Listen to his John's beautiful playing on the Sabrina theme!!! Williams only plays on the last track, the Stepmom arrangement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Just now, Incanus said: Williams only plays on the last track, the Stepmom arrangement. Argh! The credit is incorrect! Thanks Inky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,716 Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 1 hour ago, Bespin said: Does this album will propulse the career of these artists, I mean using the name of "JOHN WILLIAMS" in big on their album. I sincerely hope. Will they become stars of the business instantly just because of this? Never. Do you still wonder why the Wakao album is still hard to find those days? Keisuke Wakao is a very respected oboist, member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a world class musician in his own right who I think has made his name for himself over the years. Ann Hobson Pilot, the harpist on the recording is another major harp player name in the US retired from the ranks of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Borromeo String Quartet is another respected US ensemble. So I don't think they were out to make their name on Williams with the album. More likely Wakao's association with JW and Boston Pops (the more recent oboe concerto is written specifically for him) was the initial spark for the album. Pedroni's transcription of A Window to the Past is quite beautiful, very delicately performed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemesis 245 Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 This album is great if you like piano arrangements. BUT what happened to the piano in the Sabrina theme??? Listen to around the 1minute mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mstrox 6,651 Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 I got this for my birthday and am listening now. I'm really enjoying it! Some of the scores are maybe not my favorites (Sabrina, Book Thief, Lincoln), but it's nice to hear them from a different point of view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,378 Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 It's a fun listen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Max McGuire 19 Posted June 20, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted June 20, 2018 On the topic of Varese - I saw a glorious picture of JW sat in a rocking chair with the Varese Sarabande tagged (not sure if this is related to another potential release on the horizon). Good to see him back in his usual attire Smeltington, SteveMc, Muad'Dib and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted June 20, 2018 Share Posted June 20, 2018 Is that a recent photo??? Should we expect a sequel to Pedroni's sublime album from last year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,378 Posted June 20, 2018 Share Posted June 20, 2018 Yes it's recent, it was taken today pete and Ricard 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max McGuire 19 Posted June 20, 2018 Share Posted June 20, 2018 1 minute ago, Disco Stu said: Is that a recent photo??? Should we expect a sequel to Pedroni's sublime album from last year? The tweet is only a few hours old so quite possibly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,378 Posted June 20, 2018 Share Posted June 20, 2018 Gratitude, inspiration and joy after a very special music “lesson “ with the kindest and greatest man I’ve ever met: John Williams. Playing for him with incredible cellist Cecilia Tsan his own works Elegy and Memoirs of a Geisha Suite was one of the most amazing, rewarding and intense experiences of my life. I will perform this repertoire with Cecilia at Alagna Music Festival on August 5th. https://www.facebook.com/simone.pedroni.39/posts/10212367462878594 Ricard and Max McGuire 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max McGuire 19 Posted June 20, 2018 Share Posted June 20, 2018 Another tweet with the same image but different caption "Amazing morning playing for John Williams" Ricard 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,378 Posted June 20, 2018 Share Posted June 20, 2018 On cloud nine after an incredibly moving and inspirational morning with one of the most extraordinary musicians of all times, the great John Williams. As suggested by him a few years ago and in anticipation of our August recital in Italy, fantastic pianist Simone Pedroni and I went to play his Elegy and the Memoirs of a Geisha Suite for the Maestro. Awe, gratitude, inspiration, happiness, all emotions are now dancing in my head. https://www.facebook.com/cecilia.tsan/posts/10214010578352237 Max McGuire and Nick Parker 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted June 20, 2018 Share Posted June 20, 2018 So is Pedroni conducting a performance of the Memoirs suite or is this a new adaptation for just piano and cello? The latter could be really cool. SteveMc 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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