Customer Reviews

The Piano: Original Music From The Film By Jane Campion

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

THE PIANO is that rare soundtrack that stands on its own as great music, but also evokes images and emotions of the classic Jane Campion film it was composed for. In this way, it is one of the most profoundly successful movie scores in film history. The music is filled with longing, turmoil, sadness, and fulfillment. It fits neither pop, classical, or traditional movie standards (neither does the film); it seems to exist on its own plane, quite apart from anything else you've heard, or like a dream you've had but can't recall in detail, only in emotion. It also never feels dated and does not grow dull after repeated listenings. That is an achievement in itself

The first time that I saw The Piano, it was on videotape. I didn't end up to be a huge fan of the movie itself, but I was extremely moved by the music. I ended up rewinding the scene on the beach (when Holly Hunter's character is reunited with her piano) over and over again, just to listen to the beautiful piano music that Michael Nyman had written. The music was like another character in the film- very expressive and so simplistically complex. I couldn't wait to get my hands on the soundtrack, and to buy the sheetmusic. I just wanted to write this review, because it takes more than just saying that you think something's good to concince someone that they should buy it...you know that the music is amazing when you drive your roomates crazy rewinding a scene from a movie a million times- just to get to listen to it one more time.

The music in The Piano wouldn't measure up to some classical music in complexity, but it is heartfelt and flowing as any I have ever heard. I really can believe that this woman is communicating through her music. In addition, I love how when the piano sits on the seashore, she plays a melody(the promise) that seems to almost capture the rythym of the waves. This was my favorite music of the film. Other parts of the soundtrack seem to suggest the cloudiness and mood of the New Zealand setting, a land full of lush and wild forests. And of course, it all embodies the mystery that is Ada.

Many composers seem to get lost in conundrums of complexity. Some works, especially etudes, tend to be full of notes but not feeling. I find it refreshing to hear this music which puts me at ease as though I were standing on a misty beach.

I have been obsessed with this song since the movie came out. (Wasn't so crazy about the movie...) Learned how to play the song by heart. The music will carry you away Beautiful cd. Lovely.. lovely..

The Piano has indeed some of the most moving pieces of music I have ever heard. By good fortune I was introduced to his music at an outdoor concert Michael Nyman gave, and the evening has stayed with me ever since. Without ever seeing the movie, the songs express such a variety of images, mostly a peaceful sea and the depth of night. Not only is the passion so chokingly moving, the composer is able to write the most tragic music and tracks that are positively Irish dance encouraging. The genius of this album is the combination of images and his ability to swallow the listener so completely into different moods. One rarely finds modern music of this depth.

I'm 17 years old(well, almost) and have loved the movie "The Piano" longer then I can remember. my friends think I'm weird when thay ask me what my favorite movie is, and I say "the Piano". I play Piano, and to this day, I cry a river when I hear "The Heart Asks Pleasure First" and I play it repeatedly over and over.... it's a wonderful movie and an absolute Beautiful sound track, I bought this sound track before I bought my highscool yearbook, and believe me, I never have money. Anyways, I guess what I'm trying to say is, buy it, you won't regret it... at all. If I could give more then 5 stars, I would.

I have listened to this CD hundreds of hours and I have yet to tire of it! The Piano shares and absolutely enchanting music that interacts with the soul. If you've seen the movie and loved the piano music in it, you MUST TAKE THIS SOUNDTRACK HOME! In the film the music is cut short by the scenes...the CD offers you each song in full!
Remember the longing and loving music as the piano is played on the beach in the grey world? So Haunting! THE CD LIVES UP TO THIS and EVEN GOES BEYOND!!!

This Soundtrack compliments the soul.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Michael Nyman trully adds the effect and mood that fits like a glove to this enchanting film. He was definately overlooked for an Academy Award and truly deserves one on whatever film he does. The music is captivating particularily "The Promise," and, "The Heart Asks Pleasure First." This soundtrack will truly be a masterpiece for years to come.

This is one of the best marriages of soundtrack with film story line that I have ever seen. The first time I saw the film "The Piano," my husband and I were living in China. Every evening, the hotel would treat us to an English-language film. We were so starved for American entertainment that we watched every movie, regardless of the genre. Normally, we would not watch a "chic flic." We much preferred action/adventure, or sci-fi. However, this movie was absolutely captivating. About 3/4s of the way through it, the hotel's automatic timer switched the movie over to the 10:00 news. I was devastated! I absolutely had to find out how this all turned out! It was the very first movie I saw upon my return to the United States. From the opening notes, I was hooked. The music sweeps you into the story of Ada, a mute woman who was basically sold by her father to be the bride of a New Zealand landowner in the mid-1800s. Because she is mute, the piano speaks for her. It is her voice, it defines her as a person, and it expresses all of her passion and emotion. I cannot imagine the story or the soundtrack without the other. To me, the solo piano pieces are the best part of the soundtrack. Passionate, sensuous, and sweeping, they clearly show the character's love of playing and of the instrument. Two of the pieces never fail to bring tears to my eyes. Sometimes tender and lilting, sometimes roudy and racous, the story is played out in the music. This soundtrack has a voice all its own. I've never heard anything else like it. I can listen to it over and over and over and never get tired of it. In the words of one of the film's characters, "...(it is) like a mood that passes through you..." Purely beautiful music. You don't want to miss this one.

I saw the film, The Piano, many years ago. I loved the music very much. I listened to this album over and over. I then lost the CD a couple of years ago. I recently purchased it again. I turned it on, to have some music to relax to while I took a bubble bath. I pressed play, got in the tub, and began to listen. I had to get out of the tub and stop it from playing, otherwise my tears would cause the bathtub to overflow. In other words, this goes beyond normal relaxing piano music. The emotion it evokes is pretty raw. But when you're in the mood, it's a great album.