Customer Reviews

David Lanz - Solos for New Age Piano

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Not much in terms of a review to add. I'm just a beginner, and, well, the notes look right :) But I would like to add a list of songs featured, as Amazon has left that out of the description...

This book features the songs:

Behind the Waterfall, Courage of the Wind, Cristofori's Dream, Dream Field, Faces of the Forest, Farewell Amparo, Heartsounds, Leaves on the Seine, Nightfall, Song for Monet, Spiral Dance, Summer's Child, Valencia

If you are a pianist, and love David Lanz you will love this book. If you haven't heard Lanz, then listen to a clip from one of his CD's on this site, and be hooked. This book contains songs from four of his CD's, Heartsounds, Cristofori's Dream, Natural States and Nightfall.

If you, like me, took piano lessons as a child and can play classical music and written music, but lost the love of the piano and the desire to play, this book is for YOU! When I first heard Lanz's CD Cristofori's Dream, I wished that I could play music like this. I hadn't touched my piano in years because I wasn't enjoying the music I could play. I found "Solos for New Age Piano" and found that I COULD play this music. "Cristofori's Dream" and "Spiral Dance" are lyrical, romantic and very relaxing to play. "Behind the Waterfal" and "Courage of the Wind" are robust and magical, just like the bit of nature they describe.

On first play, some of Lanz's songs seem difficult, but don't give up because the reward of mastering these songs is well worth the effort. I would highly recommend "Solo's for New Age Piano" for any but the beginning piano player.

You have to remember that David Lanz improvises as he plays his music. If you listen to his CDs, they are full of little prelude improvisions, the music to which you can't find in any of his books I might add. I like the simplicity of the basic music, because it lets me improvise as I like, adding a personal touch to the music for myself. Or if I want (and have done with at least one song), I can listen to the CD, as this other person suggested, figure out where the musician himself improvised, and throw those extra notes in.

I just want anyone who buys this to know that though the music itself deserves 5 stars, a few of the pieces are missing some notes. Actually, a lot of notes in Cristofori's Dream, Spiral Dance, and Summer's Child. It would help if you had the CDs so you could figure it out for yourself.

This music book came recommended by our daughter's piano teacher so we ordered it. There is exquisite music in this collection.

I wanted this book specifically because I love the song "Cristofori's Dream". I just wish the music was a little more advanced as far as difficulty goes. I like to have a little bit of a challenge when playing music, and there's a lot of repeated patterns which gets redundant. I'm sure the music sounds great on cd with strings etc... it just doesn't necessarily translate so well to piano without the help of additional sound/instruments to add a fullness to the music.

Very close to the actual version that Lanz plays on his CDs. I detect some slight variations to improve playability by less advanced players such as myself. But this doesn't detract from the beauty of the pieces so I encourage you to get this book if you want to dip your feet (or fingers) into Lanz's beautiful music.

As someone who actually teaches New Age piano, I highly recommend this collection. I've loved Lanz's music since I first heard it ... and that was back when cassette tapes were still available for sale. A must for all New Age piano fans!

As said by the previous reviewer who said some notes are missing in the books. Do you suggest any other book which is more precise?