Official Piano Day 2020 Playlist
Happy Piano Day!

Artwork: Alice Baldwin.

Piano Day 2020 Playlist

Piano playlist Nils Fram

here's the second round of "good medicine"!

Peace of mind #2

Musik die eine Seele hat und berührt.
Music that has a soul and touches.
Von Hand gemacht, Akustisch oder mir elekronischer Unterstützung.
Made by hand, acoustically or with electronic support.

Handmade or not ;-)

02 classic amor fati

Book

piano

composed and copyright by Sandra Labsch
piano solo 2021 - für meine Mutter

Nordic Winter / Nordischer Winter - Sandra Labsch

My Heart Will Go On

Mariage D'Amour

New England Conservatory President Emeritus and Walter W. Naumburg Chair in Music, Laurence Lesser Bach: Suite for Cello solo no 1 in G major, BWV 1007. Recorded live in Jordan Hall, Boston, by Alex Hug

Bach: Suite for Cello solo no 1 in G major-Prelude

Written & performed by Lubomyr Melnyk
Published by Erased Tapes Music

Melnyk: Corollaries

Lubomyr Melnyk – The Six Day Moment

Pièce pour deux flûtes et piano, extrait de l'opéra Lakmé

Leo Delibes, Duo des Fleurs

Peace of Your Love

Won’t you listen to me baby
please don’t think that I’m crazy 
I’ve walked so many miles
just - just to see you smile
tell me I’m not wasting - wasting my time
a good women is so hard to find
you turn me off and then you turn me on
can’t you see what I’m saying with my song?
Why don’t you gimme - gimme
gimme - gimme
why don’t you gimme - gimme
why don’t you gimme - gimme
a peace of your love
a peace of your love
sweet peace - sweet peace - sweet peace
of your love.

We’ll I’m walking down the street
the winter wind is at my feet
the summer sun is on mind
you know it’s so hard - so hard to find
love at first sight when the seasons
come and go for all the wrong reasons
I’d love to love you tender & love you true
but I can’t figure out what to do.
Why don’t you gimme -gimme
gimme - gimme
why don’t you gimme - gimme
why don’t you gimme - gimme
a peace of your love
a peace of your love
sweet peace - sweet peace - sweet peace
of your love
of your love
love....

A Peace of Your Love

Buy On iTunes

A Peace Of Your Love

Nils Frahm – Ambre

Something I recorded at the beginning of the year at home.. warts and all

Disquiet Improv

Shift

Taken from my debut LP "Ichiru".

Stream/Buy the full album (12 tracks LP)-(CD/Digital): 
Bandcamp : modernarecords.bandcamp.com/album/ichiru
iTunes : itunes.apple.com/ca/album/ichiru/id1198539909
Spotify : open.spotify.com/album/4rVHa8DsyPyT12IMpdSQOL

written and recorded by me


""
happy new year :') 
this recording is a 2016 version of "close". well.. kind of.

i want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been taking your time to listen to my pieces since 2015.  i had an amazing year and learned so much about music, cultures and got to know so many amazing people through sound cloud. this year, i will be more active so i hope you will stay in touch with me and my music.  arigato gozaimasu :')

love,
daigo

Ichiru

Buy CD/Digital

Close (2016)

Three different boundary mics let the piano breath in this short extract of a piano solo from the ostinato symphony.


Klavierovertüre Symphonie I "Ostinato"

'The atmosphere at the start of this song is taken from the wonderful crowd at the Union Chapel Daylight Music show earlier this year. It's all piano, modular synth processing, tape effects and piano derived sounds. I hope you enjoy the music. Happy Piano Day! ' – Michael Price

michaelpricemusic.com · erasedtapes.com · pianoday.org

Michael Price - Union (Piano Day exclusive)

Study for Player Piano (i)

Composed for "Life is flux", a film project by Müge Yıldız.

İstanbul

Piano: me
Cello: Lee Caspi
Bass: Hana Ito

© Riverse (Ha Thi Hoang), 19 December 2016.

Berlin Train Station (Piano Day 2017) - Acoustic

Federico Albanese - THE BLUE HOUR

'The Blue Hour', released on LP, CD, Download via Berlin Classics Neue Meister on 15 January, 2016

Buy on Itunes - itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-blu…our/id1053970394

Berlin based, ‘piano poet’ Federico Albanese took inspiration from the brief transitional state between day and night, writing a collection of chamber-music miniatures that withdraw, explore, yet assert their laconic melodies all the more decisively. The emotions to which Albanese has given expression in his thirteen compositions have been articulated with well-considered gestures.

Equally well-considered is the choice of instruments that Federico Albanese deploys on ‘The Blue Hour’. Piano and synthesizers are joined by a cello, magnified by over-dubbing and sound effects that culminate into a little chamber orchestra, which swells the acoustics while checking the dominance of a clear solo voice. Albanese esteems the Gesamtklang, the overall sound image, with its mixture of compositional precision and dreamlike fluidity. For this reason, the pieces are recorded from start to finish on analogue equipment, further enhancing the warmth of their sound. In ‘Céline’ we hear a discreet beat, scarcely perceptible, a gentle pulse that lends structure without jeopardizing the charm of ‘The Blue Hour’.

“There is a particular moment when opposites are very close, almost touching one another. When there is still light but not quite darkness. A world in between, where all things are uncertain, vague, floating into shade. We can follow or observe, unsure where this would lead - into darkness or light; into the shadow of memories and dreams. A reflection of our desires and hopes, ready to be seen or unseen. It can be a sudden glimpse, with ideas turning into shapes, not yet complete. You can see things, but are unsure what they are. It is an unrevealed choice. A place to recover and heal, lulled by the security of the warm shadow of an ancient tree upon a hill" – Federico Albanese

Shadow Land Part 1

And our faded memories, we leave behind

Je ne peux plus dire je t'aime 
Ne me demande pas pourquoi 
Je ne ressens ni joie ni peine 
Quand tes yeux se posent sur moi 
Si la solitude te pèse 
Quand tu viens à passer par là 
Et qu'un ami t'a oubliée 
Tu peux toujours compter sur moi

Je ne peux plus dire je t'aime
Sans donner ma langue à couper 
Trop de serpents sous les caresses 
Trop d'amours à couteaux tirés 
Si dure que soit la solitude 
Elle te ramène à ton destin 
La loi du grand amour est rude 
Pour qui s'est trompé de chemin

Je ne peux plus dire je t'aime - Jacques Higelin (18 oct 1940 - 6 avril 2018)

Claude Debussy’s Clair de Lune is the third movement of his Suite Bergamasque, written for solo piano and completed in 1905. The title, meaning “Moonlight,” is inspired by Paul Verlaine’s poem, evoking a serene and reflective atmosphere. The piece epitomizes French Impressionism, focusing on mood and imagery over traditional form.
Structure and Atmosphere

The piece is in ternary form (ABA):

    Opening (A):
    A soft, flowing melody emerges over delicate arpeggios. The music feels weightless, like moonlight shimmering on water. Debussy uses rich harmonies and seventh chords to create a dreamlike quality, with a tender, introspective mood.

    Middle Section (B):
    The dynamics intensify, with fuller textures and soaring melodic lines. This section brings a sense of emotional depth and urgency, contrasting with the calm opening. Arpeggios cascade dramatically, giving the impression of moonlight suddenly brightening or revealing hidden beauty.

    Closing (A):
    The opening material returns, slightly varied, fading into a gentle, whisper-like conclusion. The piece ends as quietly as it began, leaving a sense of stillness and wonder.

Musical Features

    Harmonics: Debussy’s use of whole-tone scales, parallel chords, and non-functional harmony creates a suspended, ethereal soundscape.
    Melody: The lyrical melody floats effortlessly above the accompaniment, expressing both simplicity and emotional depth.
    Texture: Light, transparent textures alternate with moments of lush, resonant fullness, embodying the interplay of light and shadow.

Mood and Interpretation

Clair de Lune evokes the quiet magic of a moonlit night, combining serenity with subtle melancholy. Its poetic quality invites listeners to imagine moonlight reflecting on a calm lake, whispering through trees, or illuminating a tranquil landscape. The music feels timeless, blending stillness with fleeting moments of intensity.

Cultural Impact

This iconic piece has been widely used in films (Ocean’s Eleven, Twilight) and pop culture, often accompanying scenes of romance, nostalgia, or quiet reflection. Its universal appeal lies in its ability to evoke deep emotion while remaining understated.
Performance Notes

Expressive dynamics, fluid phrasing, and careful pedaling are essential to capturing its delicate atmosphere. A balance between freedom and control ensures its dreamlike flow remains intact.

Clair de Lune is a masterpiece of impressionistic music, celebrated for its ability to transport listeners into a realm of quiet beauty and introspection.

Claude Debussy - The Essential Collection

Clair de Lune

Clair de Lune - Debussy

Bootsmann

All tracks on Mikrokosmos are recorded on a felted Yamaha P121 Upright Piano.

A Simple Waltz

Berliner Morgen - music video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYJu2t1rARA

#pianoday2020 

Capturing the beauty and the solitude of a walk through Berlin at 5.30 in the morning. Imagine coming out of a club (possibly slightly drunk), into the peaceful Berlin drenched in blue. With your blurry night-tainted vision you hardly see the dirt, only the serenity and sweet melancholy of the big B. - my musical declaration of love for my hometown.

Berliner Morgen is part of the Veins EP - support/buy here: http://smarturl.it/veins-ep

Sometimes there’s no need for words. You can let the wind whisper, the water roar, the birds talk, and the streets of Berlin tell their stories … while you play along on the piano, capturing all of those little moments. 

Here is ‚Veins - Songs for Piano, Wind & Water‘: A collection of memories, favorite places, and forgotten tales wrapped in ambient soundscapes and minimalistic piano music. Enjoy.

Written/performed/produced by: Valeska Rautenberg
Mixed/mastered by: Marian Kuch

Veins

Support/Download

Valeska and the River - Berliner Morgen (Veins - Songs For Piano, Wind & Water EP)

On October 4th 2019, Penguin Cafe released 'Handfuls of Night', the highly anticipated follow-up to their much applauded 2017 album 'The Imperfect Sea' 

Using gut-stringed violins, viola, cello, bass, percussion, upright and grand pianos, synthesiser, harmonium and more, Arthur Jeffes and his cohorts have crafted a vivid series of panoramic sonic landscapes, that are as rich in cerebral poignancy as they are in emotional depth.

Bookended by the atmospheric ambient piano pieces ‘Winter Sun’ and ‘Midnight Sun’, the album traverses glacial minimalism with ease, combining their signature contemporary classical panoramas, such as the melancholic yet upbeat lead track ‘At the Top of the Hill, They Stood...’ and the colossal cinematic piece ‘Chapter’, with the crystalline folktronica on ‘Pythagorus on the Line Again’ — a re-visiting and continuation of the Penguin Cafe Orchestra’s 1993 Union Cafe song on the principles of harmonics.

'Handfuls of Night' began life after Greenpeace commissioned Jeffes to write four pieces of music corresponding to four breeds of penguins, to help raise awareness for the endangered Antarctic seas . A fundraising evening at EartH in Hackney followed, where Penguin Cafe premiered the four songs named after their feathered counterparts to a sold out audience; the rousing contemporary folk inflected ‘Chinstrap’, the mournful and minimalistic ‘Adelie’, stoic and rhythmic ‘The Life of an Emperor’ and the wistful, string-laden ‘Gentoo Origin’.

“Such is its mastery of slowly uncoiling drama you can almost taste the salt in the breeze" ★★★★ — MOJO⠀
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"Arthur Jeffes' music has a direct clarity. Dramatic swells and sweeps showcase the jaw-dropping landscape. Most importantly, though, the music carries an environmental message, which is a critical issue for this generation" — A Closer Listen ⠀
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"One of their most impeccable moments to date" ★★★★ — Music OMH ⠀
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"Elegiac strides across epic landscapes... Arthur Jeffes is doing the legacy of his father proud" — Prog Magazine ⠀
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"Another winner from this group, with Jeffes and company mixing minimalism, folk music and classical string writing into a charming combination” ★★★★ — All About Jazz ⠀
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"A sensitive, frequently lovely follow-up to 2017’s ‘The Imperfect Sea… Handfuls of Night’ conjures pastoral panoramas and weathered vistas" — DJ Magazine⠀

Handfuls of Night

Midnight Sun

Buy LP/CD/DL

Penguin Cafe - Midnight Sun

Blue

All Rights Reserved'  October 22, 2019

The streets are so dark and dire
What are we doing here...
A strong cup and a smile
Or maybe just disappear...

Seeking asylum from
a shade that you cant unsee
White light clouds my head
I’m Diving in too deep...

Words they elude me now...
You take 'em right away 
Why is the one that led you here...
Lookin the other way

We’re far away from home
oh so far away we roam
So far away...here to stay
Oh so far away from home...

What are you thinking now 
Behind that vacant stare
The weight of the world somehow
upon your face so fair...

Words they confuse me now...
You take 'em right away 
Why is the one that led you here
Lookin the other way...

The streets are so dark and dire...
What are we doing here

Night Owls

US based pianists / keyboardists extraordinaire Jacob Pavek & Philip Daniel have teamed up on the new collaborative project BLOMMA. Their eponymous debut LP is fun and fresh from start to finish, with tunes built on a layering of rhythmic pianos, synths and electronics. We're very stoked to be releasing this luminous piece of music with them to warm this North American winter.

The record drops on February 28th, but the first taste is out now! You can listen to the lead single 'Morrow' in all digital outlets and pre-order the record from our Bandcamp store : https://orcd.co/blomma-morrow

All Music Composed by Philip Daniel and Jacob Pavek
Mixed by Philip Zach
Mastered by Bruce Templeton
Strings by Laurels String Quartet

BLOMMA

Morrow

Spotify ⊜

BLOMMA - Morrow

Aluna

#pianoday2020

Taken from the album 'To Believe (Remixes)', released 6 March on Ninja Tune: http://tco.lnk.to/remixesSo

Follow James Heather -
Spotify: http://found.ee/jheather-sp
Apple Music: http://found.ee/jheather-am
Instagram: http://found.ee/jheather-ig
Facebook: http://found.ee/jheather-fb
Twitter: http://found.ee/jheather-tw
Youtube: http://found.ee/jheather-yt
Soundcloud: http://found.ee/jheather-sc

Follow The Cinematic Orchestra -
Spotify: https://found.ee/tco-sp
Apple Music: https://found.ee/tco-am
Instagram: https://found.ee/tco-ig
Facebook: https://found.ee/tco-fb
Twitter: https://found.ee/tco-tw
Youtube: https://found.ee/tco-yt
Bandcamp: https://found.ee/tco-bc
Soundcloud: https://found.ee/tco-sc

To Believe (Remixes)

A Caged Bird/Imitations of Life (James Heather Rework) [feat. Roots Manuva]

Debut album "The Monarch and the Viceroy" available now as CD|LP|DIGITAL on Denovali Records.

Get the full album here: denovali.com/carloscipa/

The Whole Truth

Bandcamp: derekhunterwilson.bandcamp.com/album/abstraktes-vol-1
Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/7xtTdQZlcEdkBKCO8Rg2D7
iTunes: music.apple.com/us/album/abstraktes-vol-1-ep/1503041634
Amazon: amazon.com/Abstraktes-Vol-Derek-Hunter-Wilson/dp/B085ZCKCVR

Released for Piano Day 2020.

Abstraktes Vol. 1

Abstraktes #1 (Movement for Imaginary Dance Piece)

thesisproject.bandcamp.com/album/thesi…artyn-heyne

Ben Lukas Boysen - editing, zen garden.
Martyn Heyne - guitar, organ.

Composed, mixed, and mastered by Martyn Heyne + Ben Lukas Boysen at Lichte Studio Berlin.
Additional engineering by Matthias H. Franz Hahn. Vinyl cut by Mike Grinser.

Thank You!
Gregory Euclide, Matthias H. Franz Hahn, everyone at Manners McDade, Erased Tapes Records & Publishing, Claudia Gödke, and Karolina Zenobia Heyne.

Dedicated to Frieda and Frau Bellmann.

Thesis 16

& Martyn Heyne - June

Japanese pianist @daigohanada lends his subtle felted playing and beautiful textured arrangements to this rework of 'Last to Let Go' by @richard_luke. Close your eyes and immerse yourself in this intimate and soulful piece for piano.

stream on your favourite platform : https://orcd.co/last-to-let-go
download : https://modernarecords.bandcamp.com/album/last-to-let-go-daigo-hanada-rework

Glass Island (Reworked)

Last to Let Go (Daigo Hanada Rework)

Richard Luke - Last to Let Go (Daigo Hanada Rework)

It’s the 88th day of the year and it’s piano day!!! 

The piano is such a dynamic and deep instrument. On one hand there seems to be no end to how far a virtuoso pianist can deepen the relationship with the instrument and on the other hand a one year old can have the most meaningful session of his or her life. We have a piano in the middle of our home and almost every day someone in the family get lost in some kind of improvisation with the instrument. Sitting by a piano and just play a few notes and feel the vibrations run thru the instrument and yourself is such a blessing, such a healing moment. I recommend everyone to spend some time with this instrument if you can, everyone can play and feel it.

This track is a special piano improvisation version of my new single "Moonwaker"  I made together with musicians from Tonhalle Orchester Zürich to honour the 88’s day of the year. 

Hope you enjoy! 
Sebastian Mullaert

"Moonwaker" (Original Mix) https://nm.lnk.to/natthall
Taken from Natthall LP - Sept 18th 2020 - Neue Meister

Natthall

Moonwaker

Stream/Download

Sebastian Mullaert /w Musicians Of The Tonhalle Orchester Zürich - Moonwaker (Piano Day 2020 Edit)

To mark this year’s 88th day and as an acknowledgement to these unprecedented circumstances we find ourselves in, Piano Day founder, pianist and producer Nils Frahm releases a collection of eight solo piano pieces titled 'Empty'. 

Stream and download 'Empty': https://idol.lnk.to/nils-frahm-empty

Conceived of just before Nils broke his thumb and composed the similarly intimate solo piano album 'Screws', 'Empty' is a soothing vessel of eight simple and serene pieces originally recorded as the music to a short art film he shot with his friend and film director Benoit Toulemonde. Drifting through emotions from the stark and sobering opener 'First Defeat', to the gently euphoric 'No Step On Wing' and the contemplative but hopeful closer 'Black Notes', with its poignant minute of silence, 'Empty' is a comforting score for these turbulent times.

“When I came back from the hospital with a broken thumb and listened to the recordings, I felt they were unfinished. I decided to put them aside and started to work on my small album, 'Screws'. 

Many many other notes of the piano have been struck since these days, and before we all forget about this, I thought it would be a good moment to share these lullabies with you. I hope they help you stay all strong and calm in these days of solitude – despite the hardship, we can discover introspection and reflection unexpectedly. Who knows what it is good for.  
 
Much love, Nils”

Empty

No Step On Wing

Stream & order LP · CD

Nils Frahm - No Step On Wing

Kindred piano lovers Peter Broderick and David Allred have gifted the sheet music for their song Hey Stranger, taken from their collaborative 2017 record Find The Ways. Reminding us of the importance and power of friendship, it was originally performed on double bass, with Peter on violin and the two singing together. David kindly recorded this solo piano version to make it easier for you to follow the notes.

www.allredbroderick.com
www.pianoday.org

Find The Ways

Hey Stranger (Solo Piano Version)

Free sheet music

Allred & Broderick - Hey Stranger (Solo Piano Version)

Recorded in Modesto, Ca.  Featuring...Gibson 335 Electric Guitar solo. Alto Saxophone solo. Fender Rhodes Rhythm. 12 String Acoustic Guitar Rhythm. Horn Section, Trumpet, Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone. Fender Electric Bass. Roland Bass synthesizer. Drums Trap set. Percussion, Tambourine, Cowbell.

Groovin

Bodacious

Derek Hunter Wilson is a multi-instrumentalist and composer based in Portland, OR. 