Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 16
 Beautiful...but March 19, 2010
MusicMama (PA USA)
I love Suzanne Ciani's acoustic music recordings, which are completely different from her electronic music. Hate a previous recording of one of her songs? try the Pianissimo version- and you will be pleasantly surprised, and deeply moved by the experience. This album has some truly breathtaking songs - Rain and Tuscany for instance - but what I find disappointing is the selection of songs for the album itself. Their melodies are fragmented, like little snippets of ideas. It is a peculiarity that I am not sure Suzanne herself noticed, and the result is that the album feels a little artificial to me - more like electronic SOUNDS gathered together then converted to music, rather than music from the get go. I really dislike Adagio - one reviewer had commented for Pianissimo II that Suzanne bangs the piano keys, and for this song, I tend to agree. I understand melodically why she wants to bang a particular note, but I still do not agree with it. I guess her point is to make that song disturbing, and if that is her goal, she wins - the song is disturbing.
I also do not like the piano this album is recorded on - I have heard different versions of Berceuse, for instance, and this recording is not nearly as good as the other ones, I think because she is using a different piano. This one sounds a little on the tinny side. Some people like this, I do not, because it makes Berceuse sharper sounding, and sharp in not a good way. The version on her Dreams and Meditations album is lovely, she really gets it right there.
If you are looking for something soothing to listen to (except Adagio, and you don't care about the mechanics of piano technique (ie a true listener) then I highly recommend this album. Nobody else I know understands what I am talking about when I criticize this album, and my criticisms are limited to very specific things. I note that pianists are brutal with the piano playing of others, so I suspect all the negative press is generated by other musicians. We all think we play it better. Suzanne herself is curious about different interpretations of her own music, and her own incredible reworking of her own songs suggests that nothing is carved in stone - she is very interested in other interpretations. She is also the first to admit that she is not the most technically gifted pianist - her gift is her songwriting ability. She also does not always obey her own notations either, so I tend to think that there is a lot more leeway in the song than one might expect. Pianists: this is still a great listen. Everybody else: this is a must own album.
 Beautiflul and Relaxing March 8, 2009
. (.)
This collection of solo piano tunes is an excellent way to relax at home or in the car. The melodies are beautiful!
One of my favorite relaxing artists! January 16, 2009
D. P. Taylor (East Coast, USA)
As with her other CDs, this is beautifully relaxing. I listened to the track samples and was not disappointed with this CD at all. Highly recommend this artist.
An absolute favorite February 13, 2007
E. N. Gettliffe (Pottstown, PA United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This was just a replacement copy for me; I've worn out one and landed up sharing the replacements in the past with friends who are just as taken with this as I was. It's wonderful to use as background music or just to relax with.
Energizing March 20, 2006
W. Simpson (Memphis, TN USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
It's rare to find a CD that has energy but is calming at the same time. I think Ms. Ciani does this very well. The music is very flowing and peaceful, but there's a moving energy through the different pieces that keeps you from zoning out. She's an accomplished artist, and I enjoyed this CD very much. I'm looking forward to purchasing another by her.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 16
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