Steinway to Heaven

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
The Performers

Keith Emerson - best known for his work with his bands The Nice and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Keith has been at the forefront of introducing classical music into his recordings since the beginning of his career.

Rick Wakeman - had made a name for himself as an in demand session musician even before joining Yes in the early 1970's. His work with that band influenced countless other musicians and set the standard for keyboard players in the progressive rock genre.

Jordan Rudess - originally a classically trained pianist until rock 'n' roll steered him in a different direction. He has performed with the Dixie Dregs, Dream Theater, Paul Winter, Jan Hammer and Tony Williams.

Chuck Leavell - has learned his authentic and amazing American roots style at the hands of such greats as Dr. John. Most recently he is known for his work with the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton as well as The Black Crowes and Indigo Girls. It should not be forgotten, however, that the music world first heard his name in the early 1970's as a member of The Allman Brothers Band and, later, as leader of the innovative group, Sea Level.

Chris Ingles - plays keyboards and composes with the band Shadow Gallery and has appeared on their Magna Carta releases.

David Bryan - has earned worldwide acclaim and fame through his masterful work as the keyboardist in Bon Jovi. He is a also an accomplished player and composer in his own right and has recently released his first solo album.

Patrick Moraz - has been a favorite among progressive rock fans for many years, having been involved in Refugee, Yes and the Moody Blues.

Brian Auger - has been a respected keyboard player for many years, performing with Steampacket, Trinity and Oblivion Express in the late 60's and early 70's. His combination of rock and jazz was an innovation at that time. With the use of audio samples of his early work by dance music producers, Brian has become christened as the godfather of the acid jazz movement.

Mark Robertson - is the keyboardist for Magna Carta's own Cairo. He has also been a member of the Tony MacAlpine Project.

Tony Hymas - although best known as keyboardist in Jeff Beck's most recent band, he has recorded 3 albums with the exciting group, The Lonely Bears. He has also recorded a substantial body of work as a solo artist including such varied and artistic LP's as "Oyate" and "Flying Fortress". Tony is a serious composer of modern classical music and has a growing reputation as a keyboard innovator.

Dizzy Reed - best known as the keyboardist with Guns'n Roses.

Steve Porcaro - a founding member of the band, Toto. He is also an in-demand session player and has recorded with many great artists including Elton John, Don Henley and Barbara Streisand.

Album Description
Well known and well respected rock keyboardists performing classical pieces is a multi-level challenge. It is of course a challenge to the players themselves to step beyond the commercially-imposed boundaries of their careers to produce a piece which will live forever in some recorded medium. It is a challenge to a record company which is counting on the talent of the artists to appeal to buyers as well as the loyalty and enthusiasm of the music lover to buy the recording once it goes into the marketplace.

But the challenge goes further. It goes out to the music consumer to stretch his/her own expectations of the artists as well as to step outside the comfort zone of the stylistic setting to which they have become accustomed. If you are a fan of a particular artist or artists on this CD, you will probably be hearing them in a musically unfamiliar context. If you are first and foremost a fan of classical music, you will be listening to artists who may not be familiar to you. New interpretations on familiar themes, new techniques applied to classic compositions. Everyone involved had to stretch. Stretching is good.

Tracks:

Dance Creole - Kieth Emerson
Pathetique - Rick Wakeman
Revolutionary Etude - Jordan Rudess
Prelude in E Minor - Chuck Leavell
Variations On Paganini - Chris Ingles
Moonlight Sonata - David Bryan
Military Polonaise - Patrick Moraz
Pavane Op. 50 - Brian Auger
Sonnetto 104 Del Petrarca - Mark Robertson
Suggestion Diabolique - Tony Hymas
Raindrop - Dizzy Reed
Pavane For A Dead Princess - Steve Porcaro

Album Description

Well known and well respected rock keyboardists performing classical pieces is a multi-level challenge. It is of course a challenge to the players themselves to step beyond the commercially-imposed boundaries of their careers to produce a piece which will live forever in some recorded medium. It is a challenge to a record company which is counting on the talent of the artists to appeal to buyers as well as the loyalty and enthusiasm of the music lover to buy the recording once it goes into the marketplace.

Customer Reviews:

Proghead's Dream CD.......2002-03-14

What could a Proghead want more than this? Emerson, Wakeman, Moraz together again for the first time.

The idea for this album is a good one. All those classical chops put to waste on rock albums can now show the deftness, taste, and ability to recreate Western Art classics. Some play it straight; Wakeman practically phones in his piece, others lay their hearts on the line: Patrick Moraz's reading of Chopin is world-class. The highlight of the album might be Brian Auger's jazzy rendition of Faure's Pavanne Op. 50.

Each piece is a labor of devotion.......2001-08-25

I purchased this cd to hear Chuck Leavell's contribution and while his is quite good, you have got to hear Brian Augur's interpretation of a Faure composition. It's absolutely heart rendering! Patrick Moraz sounds great and Rick Wakeman delivers a stunning, surprisingly quiet and sensitive Beethoven contribution. I agree with a previous reviewer below that Keith Emerson sounds "exactly as you'd expect him to." The short biographies of the 12 contributors are excellent and impressive and the short contributor-penned project notes about why each selected the pieces is fascinating -- especially Moraz'. the biggest surprise to me is how can David Bryan play so wonderfully here and remain fulfilled professionally in Bon Jovi. The money, women or both must be fabulous.

If You Are Into Piano ...........2000-08-19

If you are into piano (and why else would you be here?), you should own this CD. The performances range from the expected (Emerson plays the way you would expect Emerson to play) to the unexpected. Wakeman and Jordan Rudess take a serious (and well done) approach whereas Chuck Leavell (Rolling Stones,Eric Clapton ..) takes more "liberties". Chis Ingles' and David Bryan's classical training make them well suited for this collection. Heck, they are all great! Every time I listen to the CD I find something else to like about it (ok, so I'm a little late discovering this one)....

A MUST HAVE.......1999-08-28

THE QUALITY OF THE SOUND OF THE PIANOS REFLECTS THE QUALITY OF THE MUSICIANS. IT'S ALWAYS AN EFFORT TO LISTEN TO PIANO MUSIC BECAUSE THE RECORDINGS ARE SO POOR. THIS STANDS OUT. THE SOUND IS BRIGHT AND TRUTHFUL. BEAUTIFUL INTERPRETATIONS OF THE MASTERS BY MASTERS( OF COURSE........WE ALL KNEW THEY WERE!). A MUST FOR PIANO LOVERS.

Average customer rating:

Steinway to Heaven
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Magna Carta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Compilations | Rock | Styles | Music

1990s | By Decade | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Ginaster's Dance Creole - Keith Emerson
Beethoven's Pathetique - Rick Wakeman
Chopin's Revolutionary Etude - Jordan Rudess
Chopin's Prelude in E Minor - Chuck Leavell
Brahms' Variations on Paganini - Chris Ingles
Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata - David Bryan
Chopin's Military Polonaise - Patrick Moraz
Faure's Pavane Op. 50 - Brian Auger
Liszt's Sonnetto 104 del Petrarca - Mark Robertson
Prokofiev's Suggestion Diabolique - Tony Hymas
Chopin's Raindrop - Dizzy Reed
Ravel's Pavane for a Dead Princess - Steve Porcaro

Album Description

Well known and respected keyboardists performing classical pieces is a multi level challenge. It is of course a challenge to the players themselves to step beyond the commercially imposed boundaries of their careers to produce a piece which will live forever in some recorded medium. Featires Keith Emerson/Rick Wakeman/Patrick Moraz/Jordan Rudeness/Dizzy Reed/Chuck Leavell/Brian Auger/Tony Hymas/Steve Porcaro

Average customer rating:

Steinway To Heaven
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Magna Carta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000LWOXFA

Music Review: