Piano Grand: Smithsonian Celebration [Live]

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 27, 2000)
• Original Release Date: June 27, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00004U1GH
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #341,099 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Baby Grand

2. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat, Op. 73

3. Grieg: Piano Concerto in a Minor, St Movement, Allegro Molto Moderato

4. Chopin Nocturne in E-Flat Op. 9, No. 2

5. Fantasy [Film Noir]

6. America [From West Side Story]

7. Baroque Imperssions

8. Thank You (Dziekuje)

9. Let's Fall in Love

10. The Time Is Now

11. Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On

12. Great Balls of Fire

13. Piano Man

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Music purists look away now. This one's for fun!, August 14, 2000

By 

Andrew Williams (Liverpool, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Piano Grand: Smithsonian Celebration (Audio CD)

Whoever dreamt up the idea for this album was clearly ambitious. An album consisting of music from every genre, all with one thing in common - the piano. Oh yes, and one more thing - there had to be a real sense of celebration and entertainment.

Therefore although Beethoven and Grieg were natural contributors, the recordings of their pieces are not the ones which classic collections are made of. Rather they are passion-filled performances in front of a live and clearly appreciative audience. The audience is appreciative even though it must have been confused. After a solo piano performance of "America" from West Side story, an aging but charismatic Jerry Lee Lewis took the stage to belt out a couple of his classics with scorching piano solos to the accompaniment of inspired improvised lyrics which can be summarised by "Baby, baby, baby".

The one place where popular classics and classic pop met were in Billy Joel (as usual). His fans will welcome the opportunity to hear the 50 year old perform 2 of his classics afresh. Baby Grand was performed more for its subject-matter than because it otherwies deserved to be included on a CD of the greatest piano music of all time. The same can also be said for Piano Man. Nevertheless the audience loved it. Joel's third contribution was is first published classical piece "Fantasy" which sits surprisingly well with the greats from classical piano music over the last 300 years.

The album is too eclectic to belie its low position in Amazon's album charts. But for an eclectic, eccentric and egocentric collection, this is a cause for celebration.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Piano Grand! is a grand album to own, July 19, 2000

By 

"novlkat" (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Piano Grand: Smithsonian Celebration (Audio CD)

After watching the special on PBS, I realized that owning this album is a must. If you're a lover of piano music or the artists on the album, I highly recommend it. I personally wanted it for the classical piece by Billy Joel. This is one to tide the hard core Joel fans over until he releases an album of his classical pieces.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Simply Grand, baby!, February 16, 2007

By 

Annie Van Auken (Planet Earth) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Piano Grand: Smithsonian Celebration (Audio CD)

Billy Joel opens and closes this unique PBS concert. In-between we are treated to classical, jazz and rock & roll music, always with the piano prominent. Several tracks are recorded on period instruments, supplied by the Smithsonian Institution. PIANO GRAND! is an excellent soundtrack transcription of a most memorable evening. Recommended.

TOTAL RUNNING TIME -- 75:14