Customer Reviews

Windows: Windham Hill 25 Years of Piano

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I always thought that the best way to listen to new age is in compilations. With very few exceptions (like George Winston) this kind of music becomes monotonous and boring after twenty minutes with the same artist. So, I have most of the windham hill compilations, piano, guitars, samplers, vocals, and I like them all. Since piano is one of my favourite instruments I bought this one without hesitation.

What a surprise it was to find that 5 out of these 13 tracks are taken from other samplers by the same label. I understand that this label is not the same it was 15 years ago, it was bought by BMG and they are really trying to cash on this popular and selling music, but we must say to them that this is too much, just way too much! A sampler from samplers, and at full price!

The music is good and if you don't have any windham hill cd, you could start here, although George Winston has some better tracks and there are a few more piano tracks in the windham hill vaults that could be added to a CD that is only 53 minutes long. I guess BMG prefers to do a vol.2 than give you value for your money.

I prefer the 'Piano samplers', vol. 1 and 2, with more tracks and more music to this one. And also the "first Ten years" dbl cd compilation is great. Other windham hills compilations that I recommend are the "Winter solstice", specially vol. 1, 2 and 3. There are too many Windham Hill cd's to buy before this one.

As part of Windham Hill's 25 Year anniversary celebrations, this CD has been released in recognition of the prominent part pianists have played in the company's success over the last quarter of a century.

How they can do this in a single 53 minute disc is beyond me- the company has distributed some amazing piano music that is surely worthy of a longer compilation. However, to their credit, what they have chosen is of the highest order.

The CD features many well-known pianists and some not so familiar, but each track is strong in its own individual way. It even features a 16 year old's debut piece, "Past Voices".

Oystein Sevag's "Children's Song" holds some curious addiction to me; a very simple melody that you can't help but listen intently to.

Michael Harrison's "In Flight" perfectly captures the subject of the title- I see birds migrating as I fly along side them on their beautiful long journey.

"Rocket to the Moon" had to be included. It was the piece that launched Jim Brickman's career and will be instantly recognisable to many.

Another favourite is "To The Well" by Walter Mathieu. On this piece, Mathieu is accompanied by vocalist Bobby McFerrin. The founder of the company, Will Ackerman, states in the insert that this is one of the most beautiful pieces of music he has heard- and I would agree. It is one of those examples of music that you'll either love or hate; for me it is definitely the former. I tend to find that voice and piano does neither any favours; one gets in the way of the other and you end up not being able to concentrate on either. This is a rare example of when this doesn't happen. Instead, they complement one another, mainly because the piano is still the prominent sound and the vocals are wordless. They add a haunting, yet strangely beautiful quality to the music.

Beautifully presented, this CD is a must if you are a piano lover. Congratulations, Windham Hill, and here's to another 25 years of creating some of the best instrumental music around.

Very highly recommended.

For a long time, Windham Hill has been putting out magnificent piano music. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that this collection highlighting some of the label's most distinguished pieces would be nothing less than perfect. If you like solo piano, then take my word for it: this is a beautiful, captivating album.

Each track is a finely-crafted original work and represents a significant piece of Windham Hill's legacy of piano music. This soothing collection of tunes is splendidly suited for a romantic evening by the fire, a morning stroll in the park, or an afternoon of lazy daydreaming. Whatever your condition, Windows is guaranteed to uplift your spirits and rejuvenate your soul. The album is that good. I recommend it without reservation to anyone who relishes the sweet sound of solo piano.

Plesant piano hovering between restaurant background and morning toast without coffee. Not exciting enough for guests. Appropriate for a rainy day if you want to keep the rainy day mood.

Hunny adores the Music by those that have contributed over the Years to Windham Hill.I purchased this for Him as a "just because I love You".He listens on the way to and from Work. {Prefers to the Radio and commercial's cut~ins right when really enjoying the Music}.He and His Best Friend once told me I was listening to "New Age" Jazz.They knew I liked the Standards of Jazz.When said,"that has a really nice sound while we were in an elevator",they began grinning. I knew "something" was going on and finally they fall out of elevator Laughing At Me.What's the Joke You Two Anyway? I wondered.Finally after catching their collective breaths from guffawing, said,"that my dear Is New Age".Well,without knowing I had been listening to Something had dismissed out of hand and was a bit of a snob, received admittedly my come~uppance.The works of Liz Story, Jim Brickman,Tim Story,Enya, George Winston especially.Plus Darryl Anger.All have been His very own Sanctuary for Decades.The Piano Styles are impressively different. All of the Artists Are Varied as can be.Jim Brickman likes to sing some with piano. Others like to bring in a Cellist or Violinist.Enya often has a Choir of singers effectively crescendoing Her Vocals.This is lovely Just for Piano.Still my recommendations are included and with Amazon's listing and Their Partners, You Cannot Miss.Not a bummer in the Group. Enjoy. Thank You to Amazon and Their Partners for the Genres of Music They continue to bring and Enlightened Us All.

Windham Hill has been in business quite awhile. We have listened to many marvelous new age pianists as they blossomed with maturity. I expected this CD to be good. The selection of artists reflects the flexible melodies we so love; meditative, reflection, peace, joy, romance and happiness. The first piece by George Winston, "Dubuque," is set with a calm feeling of Dubuque, its setting. Liz Story is quite good in two pieces and another favorite of mine, Fernando Ortega's "As For Us," is beautiful without sensation. I recommend highly this CD for new age fans and non-new age fans. It will give the moment a higher quality. I often listen to it while typing or reading.

This is a great album. It's very nice to have on durning dinner, or to enjoy anytime.

Just the kind of sound and background music one needs for creating and relaxing.Best quality for listening for any artist as they prepare to create!!Lovely and continously enjoyable throughout the whole cd.

I have no idea why the last two reviews for this CD are so bad. This might be the best CD I ever listened to!