Now Playing: Movie Themes - Solo Piano

Dave Grusin | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 13, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Grp Records
• ASIN: B00028X26Y
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #133,835 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

GRUSIN DAVE NOW PLAYING: MOVIE THEMES

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music . . . Maestro, Please. . ., January 24, 2005

By 

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* (CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Now Playing: Movie Themes - Solo Piano (Audio CD)

First off, I'd have to congratulate one of my favorites, Mr. Dave Grusin, for coming up with this wonderful project. Though he admits that there were some challenges that came along with this recording since most of this material was originally written for orchestra, it still came out perfectly. There's no doubt in my mind that he's such a great pianist, a virtuoso at that! He's got what it takes to be one. He's got the extraordinary ability and the inherent expression and rhythm that make these pieces so pleasing to the ears.

Listen to his heartwarming interpretation of "It Might Be You," the theme from the movie "Tootsie," and you'll definitely agree with me that this is the very best piece of all and it's my absolute favorite. This song is an Academy Awards Nominee for "Best Original Song" in 1982.

The other remarkable pieces are "On Golden Pond," theme from the movie of the same title, "Theme from Mulholland Falls" and the most intriguing melody, "The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter." Some of the listeners are deeply moved and affected with this piece that it made them cry. I guess there's some poignancy on the melody that affects the listener's sensitivity. The pieces with melancholy melodies are "Letting Go," the theme from Jon Voight's movie "The Champ," and "Random Hearts," theme from the movie of the same title. Not to mention "Hurricane Country" which is also remarkable. It has an exotic rhythm to it and he used fingernails on the strings to produce the 'harp-like' sound. This piece is marvelous. Imagine all these innovations he's done to produce the desired sounds from a piano. He's such a great talent and his creativity is amazing!

According to Mr. Grusin, the most challenging piece is the last one - "Mud Island Chase," the theme from Tom Cruise's movie "The Firm." In this piece, he had to use a mallet to produce the desired sounds from a piano, like "rapping and striking the interior and exterior wood, strumming the strings and beating them with a mallet, as well as playing the keys in a traditional manner." But he also assured that "there was no permanent damage to the piano (Steinway 459) sustained."

This is solo piano playing at its very BEST!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpeice, November 3, 2004

By 

Jorgen Johansen "Jorgen J" (Copenhagen) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Now Playing: Movie Themes - Solo Piano (Audio CD)

For the last 15 years I have been collecting CD's by Dave Grusin. So when I got hold of 'Now Playing', I was aware that the tracks of the CD were already in my library, yet in different orchestral arrangements. When I listened to the CD the first time, I was impressed that all the well known songs have been arranged for solo piano without losing the tense and atmosphere of the origial version - on the contrary. And after a month I still discover new details when listening to Dave Grusin's very creative and innovative arrangements of his own music. What impresses me the most, however, is to listen to the way Dave Grusin exploits all the corners of his Steinway. Here is a true musician! Listen to 'On Golden Pond' or 'It might be you' (from Tootsie), and you will understand why I consider 'Now Playing' Dave Grusin's masterpiece.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What you could be looking for, August 12, 2004

By 

W MCCANN "joydebs" (Belfast,N.Ireland,Uk) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Now Playing: Movie Themes - Solo Piano (Audio CD)

My wife gave me a Record Voucher as a gift and told me to indulge myself with the music of my own choice.I am sure the staff in the record store were sick of the sight of me bringing CDs to them for a listen.Still after a few weeks nothing I tried had any feeling of satisfaction until I listened to Dave Grusin -Now Playing.
Wonderfull music played with wonderfull feeling and sensitivity.
Take your shoes off.Switch off the lights and sink into the beautiful atmosphere of Now Playing.And what is more I know my wife will love it too. You will not be disappointed.