Playing The Piano
Product ID: 4084702
Playing The Piano is a specially-priced 2-CD that presents a wide-ranging view into the world of this composer, musician, producer, actor, and environmental activist. Ryuichi Sakamoto will make a rare North American solo tour in October/November, bringing his music to audiences through sustainable and ecologically sound touring. The first CD, playing the piano, is a series of miniatures or "self-covers," as Sakamoto refers to them - solo piano versions of his earlier works, including some of the famous film themes such as The Last Emperor (Oscar/Grammy ® -winning soundtrack), Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence and The Sheltering Sky. The second CD, out of noise, is arguably Sakamoto's most ambitious to date in which he continues to explore the netherworld between music and noise that has fascinated him for years. He is joined here by, among others, Austrian guitarist/laptop artist Christian Fennesz, guitarist Cornelius (Keigo Oyamada), England's renowned early music group Fretwork, and Icelandic multi-instrumentalist Skuli Sverrisson. Sakamoto has devoted much of his time in recent years to environmental concerns - to turning Ego into Eco as he puts it. Beginning in 2001, he has made a huge attempt to use alternative energy for touring. Review: Beautiful and amazing - This album, humbly called Ryuichi Sakamoto Playing the Piano, is beyond an understatement to describe such exquisite music. It is, as the title suggests, simply Mr. Sakamoto playing the piano, performing some of his most well-known pieces as well as some I was unfamiliar with. There is so much I would like to convey to describe what a superb album this is, but unfortunately for that, hearing really is believing. The Last Emperor is fantastically done, and even though it is only one instrument playing, if you are familiar with the orchestrated version you can almost hear the other instruments playing in chorus. Mr. Sakamoto seems to really transcend genres. From people steeped in classical music to hard-core metal-heads, he seems to carry an appeal with everyone. It is in my opinion that this album makes a wonderful addition to anyone's music collection and is one of my favorites to listen to when I am relaxing or driving. I wholeheartedly recommend this album and want to encourage more of you to not only buy it, but to review it. As an edit, I wanted to mention that disc 2 has a very eclectic sound to it and is nothing like disc 1. I still really liked it, but some people may object to it. Review: Sakamoto naturally between Satie and T Riley - will read other reviews after 😊 Treasure trove of Sakamoto and mind expanding music. Between Satie and Terry Riley. informed by pastoral and nature. very Japanese, the pastoral. Eno - Brian Yes. Roger More! Hard to read liner notes - had to go out in the sun: when I discovered a further little big slip with individual compositions notes (not by Sakamotosan) which I may also read after a few more consecutive spins. some actually sound like harmonium music from my church (harekrishna). grab this, ryuichi fans! I had break-ins in my home: Stolen were the original Ten Thousand Knives. More painful: An original very early Japanese CD of the original vinyl album which I had bought when it came out in the U.S. - re-recorded with added Robin Scott (vocs) and Adrian Belew (guit and perc). Can't get those. Looking for someone to put the rare vinyl on CD. Lovely thoughtful. As Robert Wyatt would say: you'll be Satie-sfied!!
| ASIN | B003URRN96 |
| Best Sellers Rank | #286,464 in CDs & Vinyl ( See Top 100 in CDs & Vinyl ) #289 in Orchestral Jazz #35,232 in Classical (CDs & Vinyl) #119,971 in Pop (CDs & Vinyl) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars (63) |
| Date First Available | July 5, 2010 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Label | ECM |
| Language | English |
| Manufacturer | ECM |
| Number of discs | 2 |
| Original Release Date | 2010 |
| Product Dimensions | 5 x 5.59 x 0.47 inches; 3.17 ounces |
P**R
Beautiful and amazing
This album, humbly called Ryuichi Sakamoto Playing the Piano, is beyond an understatement to describe such exquisite music. It is, as the title suggests, simply Mr. Sakamoto playing the piano, performing some of his most well-known pieces as well as some I was unfamiliar with. There is so much I would like to convey to describe what a superb album this is, but unfortunately for that, hearing really is believing. The Last Emperor is fantastically done, and even though it is only one instrument playing, if you are familiar with the orchestrated version you can almost hear the other instruments playing in chorus. Mr. Sakamoto seems to really transcend genres. From people steeped in classical music to hard-core metal-heads, he seems to carry an appeal with everyone. It is in my opinion that this album makes a wonderful addition to anyone's music collection and is one of my favorites to listen to when I am relaxing or driving. I wholeheartedly recommend this album and want to encourage more of you to not only buy it, but to review it. As an edit, I wanted to mention that disc 2 has a very eclectic sound to it and is nothing like disc 1. I still really liked it, but some people may object to it.
J**I
Sakamoto naturally between Satie and T Riley
will read other reviews after 😊 Treasure trove of Sakamoto and mind expanding music. Between Satie and Terry Riley. informed by pastoral and nature. very Japanese, the pastoral. Eno - Brian Yes. Roger More! Hard to read liner notes - had to go out in the sun: when I discovered a further little big slip with individual compositions notes (not by Sakamotosan) which I may also read after a few more consecutive spins. some actually sound like harmonium music from my church (harekrishna). grab this, ryuichi fans! I had break-ins in my home: Stolen were the original Ten Thousand Knives. More painful: An original very early Japanese CD of the original vinyl album which I had bought when it came out in the U.S. - re-recorded with added Robin Scott (vocs) and Adrian Belew (guit and perc). Can't get those. Looking for someone to put the rare vinyl on CD. Lovely thoughtful. As Robert Wyatt would say: you'll be Satie-sfied!!
T**E
Wonderful and enjoyable
Unlike so called traditional classical music of historic composers, I enjoy Sakamoto's style of classic, which seems closer to my heart in contemporary life style. I did not pay much attention to his Yellow Magic Orchestra days, though I always noticed his music education must be beyond what he was showing at that time. When his works on theme music for movies arrived, I started enjoying his talent, and his music. More recent composition and his piano music really is wonderful to me, as I truly love piano music. I hope to catch his live concert someday, if possible in my life time.
B**U
Double album - 2 for the price of one !
I loved the compositions he penned for The Last Emperor and Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence and so perhaps did not read all the reviews as fully and in-depth as I should have...this is a DOUBLE album, so the price you pay for the CD is truly worth it. On the disc Playing the Piano are some of the wonderful movie pieces Sakamoto wrote. The pieces on the 2nd disc Out of Noise are far too abstract and non-melodic for me to understand and appreciate. I would also recommend the other album "Three" which I also bought and am enjoying very much.... that is the Sakamoto style I love....!
G**O
Excellent!
This CD is incredible, amazing! I am fan of Ryuichi Sakamoto a long time ago, when I heard cd Casa from brazilian "Tom Jobim", and since then I never more left to listen this japanese artist. I'm from Brazil, and here is far far away to be a great country, but I hope that someday our musicians become like him, so visionary. Gustavo Riera
J**R
Sakamoto at his best
Among Ryuichi Sakamoto's vast and marvellous production, this two cd's album is probably a must, with some of his major works for the film industry and other pieces which his admirers will surely cherish. I'm thinking, among others, of Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence or To Standford, that amazingly beutiful theme he composed, as far as I know, when he was going by train to Stanford University. Listening to Sakamoto is like recovering the happines of crossing again the womb's neck or through our mother's tunnel, like returning to the very origins of our life.
T**Y
Fantastic!!
I did not know it was a double CD that also included the CD "Out OF Noise." Learning to play his music on the piano and having it play over and over on my headphones CD player is quicker to learn the keys. Everyone should buy at least one Ryuichi Sakamoto CD and see what beautiful music he plays.
C**H
Simple and Amazing
Ryuichi never ceases to amaze. I was a bit concerned this would be a repeat or the decade old BTTB album I have, but I believe disc one to be superior to BTTB and out of noise, disc two, is a great example of his music continuing to push boundaries. If you are fan this is a must have.
A**6
Double CD pour le prix d'un "Playing the piano" rassemble les plus belles mélodies de Ryuchi, en version épurée au plus simple piano. c'est magnifique. "Out of the noise" est plus expérimental, sensoriel ; inécoutable en tant que musique , par contre pour accompagner une séance de relaxation ou de méditation c'est absolument parfait, du coup je l'aime maintenant autant si ce n'est plus que le premier CD pour lequel j'avais fait l'achat. Des heures magiques...
O**R
Si te gusta la intimidad de un buen solista al piano, este es tu disco. Disfruta de la virtuosidad de Ryuichi.
L**E
Beautiful
A**R
Me gusto el disco de este autor me da calma y reflexion
レ**ン
ピアノの音が終始心地良く、ゆっくりと沈むように深いところまで落ちていけます。 極上のリラックス効果。 雨の日や眠りたい時などにおすすめです！
Trustpilot
5 days ago
2 months ago