Customer Reviews

Puccini Album / Arias for Piano

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a superb collection of Puccini's melodies arranged and improvised for solo piano, and brilliantly played by John Bayless; it wrings every bit of emotion from these resplendent arias, some so tender and expressive, like the exquisite "Son Andati ?" from La Boheme.
Puccini once told a soprano to "walk in clouds of melody", and on this disc we have a celestial feast, making one realize how starved we are in today's world of great melodies, with so much of popular music very uninspired in this area, and classical music ignoring it.
Perhaps my favorite track is the gentle and passionate interpretation of one of opera's best loved arias, "E Lucevan le Stelle" from Tosca.

The way Bayless has transcribed this music and improvised on it is a stroke of genius, and very clever marketing as well, giving us a new, unique take on "opera lite", and one of the most enjoyable I've heard; his virtuoso technique is up to the task, and he manages to get a myriad of sounds and colorations out of the instrument.
This enthralling presentation of operatic themes is lighthearted and would make great background music, but is also much more; it's inventive and beautifully performed, is true to the emotional content of the original, and oh ! those glorious melodies.
The sound is crisp and clear, and total playing time 78'28.

The first opera I ever liked was La Boheme and especially the solo arias in the first two acts. Bayless' rendition of Musetta's Waltz is the perfect blend of sweetness and bright shining light. He must have four hands, at least! Besides revisiting favorites that I knew and loved, this album introduced me to other Puccini operas that I was unfamiliar with. Like others who have reviewed this disc, I wanted a rating higher than 5 stars.

If you enjoyed the flourishing style of Liberace, you'll love this wonderful schmaltzy tribute to Puccini. All the favorites are here from Un Bel Di to Nessun Dorma, played with extravagant passion by John Bayless. I like to play this CD on a rainy day with a cup of hot cocoa, close my eyes and just disappear into the sensuality of the music

This album is a great introduction to opera (for those who are sure they will hate it)! Mr. Bayless's performance here is phenomenal! Worth the money and highly recommended!

I have owned this CD for seven years and I am always delighted to discover it again. For those who love the original voice arias and love the piano -- you will not be disappointed.

This album is not only a treat for Puccini lovers, but a wonderful introduction to opera for people who say they don't like opera. I've been giving this Cd away as gifts to universal delight. It's hard to believe that this is just one pianist playing this--what a wonderful sound!

Bayless has transcribed many of Puccini's most beautiful passages for piano with no net loss of passion in the content or the performance. Magnificent! If Amazon had any more stars, Bayless would get them for this work of love.

As a Puccini lover, it was important to me that this album be true to the feel and flavor of Puccini's work. In my opinion, Mr. Bayless has made Puccini, if possible, even more romantic and moving. He creates movement and passion and feeling without creating a contrived, overdone sound. I cannot speak too highly of this album.

This is a wonderful CD that is filled with beautiful Puccini arias played by a great pianist. I love to listen to it over and over since the music inspires me with thoughts of relaxation, exhilaration and peacefulness all wrapped into one. John Bayless truly captures the emotion of Puccini with his wonderful arrangements and musical skills. I recommend this CD for those who enjoy not only beautiful music but also love the piano.

For anyone who doesn't know John Bayless' work, he grew up in the panhandle of Texas playing piano in church and evidencing a remarkable ear - later a protege of Lenny Bernstein. He's done several albums, but the Puccini one is my favourite, partly because I love opera, partly because it's a remarkable achievement to create an hour and 15 minute fantasy on Puccini's "greatest hits" that is, if nothing else, so much fun (pianistically, at least).