Chopin - Prelude in D-flat Major - Raindrop

Sidney Bechet - Petite Fleur

Carlos Gardel - Por una cabeza

Cole Porter - Lets Do It

Fast moving song, with very catchy tune. I had no idea this song came from an Opera, I always associated it to Moulin Rouge. The opera was inaugurated in 1858. In the Opera, this Galop from Act 2 was later taken as the music for can-can. The opera is a lampoon of the ancient legend of Orpheus and Eurydice. In this version Orpheus is not the son of Apollo but a rustic violin teacher. He is glad to be rid of his wife, Eurydice, when she is abducted by the god of the underworld. Orpheus has to be bullied by Public Opinion into trying to rescue Eurydice. 

I found this piece to be difficult, more so because of the pace and the speed ad which I should play it. The music itself is not complex and the chords are simple enough that with practice one can make the chord transitions easier.

Alvaro Piano Recordings 2020

Offenbach - Orpheus in the Underworld, Can Can - Alvaro Torres

Best rock album ever! This is actually a combination of the last two songs of the album starting with Brain Damage ending with Eclipse

Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon

Sadly, I am not savyy enough to understand the full meaning of the lyrics, I just really like the music and the arrangement

Silvio Rodriguez - La Maza

Back in college I started to listen to 60s music and The Doors was definitely my favorite. I specially like the part after the chorus, playing down the piano keys fast to get back to the melody. Groovy song

The Doors - Love her madly

Relaxing song, not too complex, but great tempo and beautiful melody.

Schumann - Traumerei Op 15 No 8

This is a faster version of the Robert Johnson classic, based on the version by Eric Clapton when he was at Cream. Chords are repetitive but there is an energy to this song that lifts me up every time I play it

Robert Johnson - Crossroads

Never heard about Lou Reed until I watched Trainspotting. What a beautiful song with great lyrics, reminds me of a first date

Lou Reed - Perfect Day

One of my favorite Operas, and this particular scene amazes me all the time. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to achieve those high notes continuously. Beautiful melody with lots of drama

Mozart - The Magic Flute, Queen of the Night’s Vengeance Aria

The first musical on Broadway I ever saw. I really never payed attention to this song until the death of my friend Mariano a few years ago, and its part of those songs that make me remember him all the time.

The Phantom of the Opera - Wishing you were somehow here again

Beutiful score by Ennio Morricone. The oboe part is so simple yet moving.

The Mission - Theme

The Sting is such a good movie. First time I heard this Scott Joplin song. It transports to old eras, very playful and fun song

Scott Joplin - The Entertainer

Melancholy at its best! I have mixed feelings about this song, because its the one song I play when I am sad, and somehow when I finish, I am no longer feeling that way. Maybe all the sadness just goes away.

Satie - Gnoissienne No 2

Made famous by Edith Piaf, I had no idea this was actually written by a Latin composer named Angel Cabral. The Piaf version is great and uplifting

Edith Piaf - La Foule

One of my friend Mariano's favorite songs. With those lyrics, its easy to see why. No, absolutely nothing
No, I regret nothing
Not the good that has been given
Not the bad, it's all the same to me

Edith Piaf - Je ne regrette rien

My favorite mariachi song. Every version of this song is good, even the Kill Bill one on which I based this arrangement. The falsettos are terrific, how they do that??

Elpidio Ramirez - Malaguena Salerosa

Saw the movie with my wife and we loved it. I couldn't get that melody out of my head. Went straight home and started trying to play it mixed with other melodies from the movie. Good movie and great music

City of Stars - La la land

This is the symphony that lifts my spirits all the time. This part of it gets me pumped and ready to beat whatever challenges! Also seen in the last scene of the King's Speech. One cannot help but feel energized after listening to this

Beethoven - 7th Symphony, 2nd Movement Allegretto

I cannot believe how talented Juan Gabriel was. The music, the lyrics of this song make me cry all the time. Dedicated to anyone who's passed away, I tried to to it justice. Amazing song that unfortunately makes me cry even when I play it

Amor Eterno - Juan Gabriel

No better drinking song! One of those my friend Mariano would have Opera singers play when he hosted friends at his house. Lifts up my spirits every time

Verdi - La Traviata, Act 1, Libiamo ne´lieti calici

First time I heard this was watching Amadeus, in the scene where Salieri first meets Mozart. The way this piece is described by Salieri in the movie:" On the page it looked nothing. The beginning simple, almost comical. Just a pulse. Basoons, basset horns, like a rusty squeeze box. And then, suddenly, high above, a single note unwavering until a clarinet took it over... such delight... this was no composition by a performing monkey.. this was music I never heard... filled with such longing, felt like listening to the word of God"

Mozart - Serenade 10 for Winds, K361 1

Certainly a song to sing to fallen friends or forgotten times!

Les Miserables - Drink with me

It will always sound better as intended with the entire orchestra, but this melody is very soothing to me.

Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 21 Elvira Madigan, K467

I never got to see Colm Wilkinson sing this live! The melody of this song is used throughout the musical, particularly on the One Day More scene which is very powerful

Les Miserables - Who am I

When I first got into Opera I wasn't much of a fan of Puccini. Silly me! What arias!!! so beautiful, complex and amazingly crafted. I have never seen this opera, but this aria is known to everyone!

Puccini - Gianni Schicchi - O mio babbino caro

This is the soundtrack of conquering goals! Makes you feel victorious!

Beethoven - Turkish March, The Ruins of Athens, OP 113

Beautiful song by Sidney Bechet at the beginning of the movie. Who can't think of Paris when listening to this song?

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