Official Piano Day 2020 Playlist
Happy Piano Day!

Artwork: Alice Baldwin.

Piano Day 2020 Playlist

A selection of tracks from Piano Day 2020 arranged for continuous listening. 

http://www.pianoday.org

Photo by Ilenia F. on Unsplash

Piano Day 2020 Selections

SoundCloud 2.11.2020

ILikeIt Perfect

توصيات غُدغُد الموسيقية

Sophie Jamieson - Stain

Unreleased Demo of "You'll Miss Us One day".
The final version is released on "Gravity" / Ad Noiseam Nr.168.
http://www.adnoiseam.net/adn168

Ben Lukas Boysen - Variation (Unreleased)

At that time I met a stranger, her story was sad and her voice gentle.. She saw and heard what no one should.. She suffered a lot. I recorded lullaby for her to make our world quieter, less scary, cold nights warmer. Many times my music was written by empathy, maybe this one is an illusion of fear that we pass through. It seems to weep over the idea of utopia, happiness. Everything needs a little bit of silence .. Even music..

Music Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFbOqxTr5A0

YouTube (Audio Only):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sdUBxnJkb4

Sheet Notes
http://bit.ly/2o8cIil

Stranger

Ocoeur - Progression

Single taken from Dan Michaelson's new album Sudden Fiction. Released November 7th 2011 on Edition/s Recordings.

BREAKING FALLS

This is a remix of Paper Unicorn from Ochre's album Isolette which actually turned into more of a cover version.  I've been a huge admirer of Chris' work right from his early demos - REM Sleep Research will always be somewhere in my all time top 10 electronica tracks.  

He's continued to release some of the most beautiful and intricate music in the field.  You can find the original of this track, and all his fantastic music at his bandcamp: http://bandcamp.ochremusic.com/

This cover version has been made available to download with the artist's permission.  Thanks to Chris, it's a wonderful piece and I had a lot of fun putting this together.

Unreleased

Paper Unicorn (Digitonal Transcription)

Ochre - Paper Unicorn (Digitonal Transcription)

Taken from his forthcoming album 'Spells' out June 10 on Erased Tapes.

Pre-order the LP/CD/DL here: www.erasedtapes.com/store/index/ERATP085
iTunes: http://snip.ftpromo.net/spells
Spotify: http://snip.ftpromo.net/goldentimes
Bandcamp: http://snip.ftpromo.net/spellsbc
or any other good record store worldwide

"It's just incredible" – Mary Anne Hobbs, BBC 6 Music
“Strangely upbeat nocturnes" – The Wire

‘Spells’ merges programmed piano pieces with live instruments, combining the controllable technical world and the often unpredictable aspects of live improvisation. In some ways it continues where his underground debut ‘Gravity’ left off, though a lot of weight is lifted, making room for a lighter and more energetic listen. Friend and fellow Erased Tapes artist Nils Frahm mixed and mastered both albums. Ben is not a master pianist like his dear friend, but his sound collages are so meticulously designed that after hearing the result an impressed Nils declared: “from now on, if anyone asks – this is a real piano”. 

His intricate, humanised programming – enhanced by drummer Achim Färber, cellist Anton Peisakhov and harpist Lara Somogyi, and a considerate selection of echoes, delays and compressors – has been used to create a hybrid sound that intends to deceive, question and challenge existing listening habits. Utilising the contrast between reduction and decoration, ‘Spells’ can be seen as a quest to find out how much or how little composition is required to constitute a song. Why the ear can and should be deceived about the authenticity of instruments. What significance these instruments have within this process, and why the personal perception of balance and sound exclude ultimate truths. 

Linking the two albums are the four movements of ‘Nocturne’, an ever-developing conversation that on occasion flirts with the grandeur of compressed rock drums. The first single, ‘Golden Times 1’, received a world premiere by BBC 6 Music’s Mary Anne Hobbs, proclaiming it as "incredible." An alternative version of ‘Sleepers Beat Theme’ – composed for the soundtrack to a short film about the Trans-Siberian Express – opened Jon Hopkins’ Late Night Tales album from 2015, who noted “I thought it was such a calming and sensitive piece that sounded to me like the beginning of something...the warmth and depth of the sound entrances me every time”. 

Though ‘Spells’ and ‘Gravity’ are his first albums recorded under his own name, as acclaimed electronic producer HECQ he’s released nine albums since 2003, exploring everything from ambient to breakcore. He has simultaneously established himself as a trusted composer and sound designer, working for a wide array of clients including Amnesty International and Marvel Comics; composing for feature films, games, art installations and convention opening titles.

After embracing this demanding line of work, in 2010 Ben felt the need to explore his roots and early education, which inspired these albums under his own name. Born in 1981 as the third child of opera singer Deirdre Boysen and actor Claus Boysen, his classical music training on piano and guitar began when he was seven years old; the works of Bruckner, Wagner and Bach laid an important foundation. Rediscovering this music shared with his parents – united with the sounds of Autechre, Cristian Vogel and Jiri.Ceiver to Pink Floyd and Godspeed You! Black Emperor – brought back an understanding of why he wanted to write music in the first place.

“Finding my views understood, reflected and welcomed by Erased Tapes was an encouraging experience, crowned by the offer to release ‘Spells’ and re-issue ‘Gravity’ with them. Through many caring conversations with Robert I felt that there’s no better home for the existing ideas and no better cradle for new ones.”  – Ben Lukas Boysen 

TRACK LISTING:  	

01. The Veil  02. Nocturne 3  03. Sleepers Beat Theme  04. Golden Times 1
05. Nocturne 4  06. Keep Watch  07. Golden Times 2  08. Selene

Spells

Golden Times 1

Buy LP/CD/DL

Ben Lukas Boysen – Golden Times 1

first excerpt from upcoming 'elephant' by Dag Rosenqvist.

Cello by Aaron Martin
Saxophone by Lisen Rylander Löve
Mastered by Taylor Deupree

order here - https://dronarivm.bandcamp.com/album/elephant

Buy CD

Dag Rosenqvist - Come Silence (from 'elephant' CD)

“Burial” is taken from Wooden Arms forthcoming sophomore album "Trick of the Light."


Wooden Arms - Burial

Nine months have passed – have fallen like red autumn leaves to the ground –since I first heard Albert af Ekenstam’s solo material.
During this time Albert has, amongst other things, released two singles on Kning Disk (”Walking” and ”Angel Liz”), ac- ted as a warm up act for The Posies and Bear’s Den, moved from Gothenburg to Stockholm and appeared in prestigious Swedish music magazines such as Sonic and HYMN.
And I, in my turn, have listened and listened again to his music. Over and over I’ve lost myself in his melancholy guitars, grandiose arrangements, heartfelt voice and poignant lyricism. I’ve also studied; discovered that the Estonian indie rock band Ewert and The Two Dragons included Albert’s song “Falling” on their second album ”Good Man Down” (I Love You Records, 2011) ...
What days and nights!
On the 14th of October Albert of Ekenstam’s debut album will meet its expectant audience. “Ashes” is its name and the outstanding label Kning Disk will release it. Singer/ guitarist Sumie Nagano (whose self-titled album on Bella Union is a must for all who love unique voices), drummer/ keyboardist/producer Filip Leyman (who, together with Albert, make up the post-rock constellation Tempel) and trumpeter Max Lindahl (known from a number of jazz bands) have all helped Albert bring it to fruition.
What a record it is!
Like Elliot Smith (rest in peace) and Damien Jurado,
say, Albert is a very brave and straightforward singer- songwriter. His melodies and lyrics are like uncensored and infinitely beautiful letters – without euphemisms and false chords they let you know what’s on his mind. At the same time they’re universal – if you’ve loved and lost you can relate to them.
They also – also! – start your internal movie projector. With “Ashes” on the stereo and with eyes closed me- mory fragments, glowing emotions and pure dreams fly through your soul. That Filip’s production (which you’ve heard on Anna von Hausswolff’s two latest albums) is
both intimate and grand at the same time makes this personal cinematic experience even more sensational.
Great art. What more can you ask for? Albert af Ekenstam is here to stay.
I look forward to spending many years in the compa- ny of his solo material.


Ashes 160601 Master

Made Of Gold

no more home

Ancient World

Usually I do a million takes when I record a new song. This time I stopped around take 10 to prevent perfectionism taking over.. 
So, it’s not super precise, but hey! I finished something! 
I hope you enjoy it. 

*Alice

Unverzagt

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⠀
⠀
"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

Penguin Cafe - Midnight Sun

buy iTunes

Night Shift

"Transitions II" is the second chapter of the "Transitions" trilogy concept which began with the previous EP, back in November 2019. 
All these songs, mostly around 1 minute and half of length, are part of the "piano microstores" project, which has been developed last year on my IG profile consisting in releasing one short piano story per day during all the summer season.

That Feeling, Though

Nights of Wonder

Stars

Name of the Night 🌃
Stream & Download: https://soundcloud.com/kisnoumusic/name-of-the-night
🎧 Spotify Playlist: http://bit.ly/AmbientSpotify

#Ambient #WeAreAmbient #Kisnou

📸 Instagram: http://bit.ly/AmbientInstagram
🎁 Ambient Shop: https://teespring.com/stores/ambient

💬 The secret of my influence has always been that it remained secret.
-Salvador Dali

🧡 Kisnou
https://soundcloud.com/kisnoumusic
https://www.youtube.com/c/KisnouMusic
https://kisnou.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/KISNOU
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3Co4gT2U5SSLRcqcaArvBF
https://www.instagram.com/giuse_kisnou

💿 Suggested track: https://youtu.be/3Rl23-WUciw

📷 Picture by Markus Gjengaar
https://unsplash.com/photos/NxeLSQ6uQVs

✅ Check out our 24/7 livestream
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Stream & Download

Kisnou - Name Of The Night

#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]

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

Recorded for Nils Frahm's Piano Day on 28th March 2020

Polaroid Notes - Remember How It Is To Float - #pianoday2020

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

London based pianist and composer Mike Lazarev @headphonecommute celebrates Piano Day 2020 with this delicate offering. 
. . . 
far beyond a time-slice of the past lies a short-lived moment
in that memory, I played the piano and you listened
now all that/s left is that memento and this music
and while i/m forgetting it lives on...
 . . .
Stream on Spotify, AppleMusic : https://orcd.co/forgetting-almost

Forgetting, Almost

Spotify/AppleMusic

Mike Lazarev - Forgetting, Almost

Happy #pianoday2020! Once again, I've uploaded a little EP with a songs recorded in the last few days. This year: lots of felt, inspirations from the traditional Japanese Shō and Bach. 

https://woolookologie.bandcamp.com/album/piano-day-2020

piano day 2020

Name your price

Night sky, blanket | Piano Day 20

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)

Nicholas Kraemer conducts Gluck's Dance of the Blessed Spirits from Orfeo ed Euridice with the Stadtorchester Winterthur

Nicholas Kraemer conducts Gluck Dance of the Blessed Spirits from Orfeo ed Euridice

Ambient / Contemporary Classic / Cinematic Sounds / Drone

Releases:
+ Inner Harmonies (Album)
(Driftworks Recordings DWR 009, June 2025)
+ Reflections EP (with Glacis)
(no label, March 2025)
+ All Our Yesterdays (Album)
(Büro für Erdrotation Spin 042, Febr 2025)
+ A Chance Before A Choice EP
(Büro für Erdrotation Spin 041, Jan 2025)
+ Slow Tones EP
(Büro für Erdrotation Spin 040, Nov 2024)
+ Quiet Rooms (Album)
(Whitelabrecs wlr 169, Sept 2024)
+ Remains Of Life EP
(Büro für Erdrotation Spin 039, Aug 2024)
+ Fragments Of Love EP
(Büro für Erdrotation Spin 038, March 2024)
+ Soundtrack For A Perfect Day (Album)
(Büro für Erdrotation Spin 037, Febr 2024)
+ Drones And Sketches (Album)
(Drone Works International DWI 47, Nov 2023)
+ Four Singles (Compilation Album)
(Büro für Erdrotation Spin 036, Oct 2023)
+ Nothing Left But Memories (Single)
(Büro für Erdrotation Spin 035, Sept 2023)
+ Forgiveness (Single)
(Büro für Erdrotation Spin 034, May 2023)
+ Winter Sketches EP
(Büro für Erdrotation Spin 032, Dec 2022)
+ Autumn Sketches EP
(Büro für Erdrotation Spin 031, Oct 2022)
+ Cloud Anthems (Album)
(Whitelabrecs wlr 123, Sept 2022)
+ Between Your World And Mine (Single)
(Büro für Erdrotation Spin 030, March 2022)
+ Walk Away In Silence (Single)
(Büro für Erdrotation Spin 029, Febr 2022)
+ Ocean Lines EP
(Büro für Erdrotation Spin 028, Oct 2021)
+ Under The Stars EP
(Büro für Erdrotation Spin 027, May 2021)
+ Still Life (Album)
(Büro für Erdrotation Spin 025, March 2021)
+ Schneewehen
(Weber & Alcantu Soundstory 2, Dec 2020)
+ Ghost Sounds (Album)
(Whitelabrecs wlr 084, Nov 2020)
+ Drone Reworks (Album)
(Drone Works International DWI 025, Sept 2020)
+ Home Diaries: Moonlight Sessions (album)
(Whitelabrecs Home Diaries Series HD 014, May 2020)
+ Passing Paris EP (ltd. edition 10 Inch vinyl)
(Büro für Erdrotation Spin 021, November 2019)
+ Golden Heart EP
(Büro für Erdrotation Spin 020, March 2019)
+ Angel Band EP
(Büro für Erdrotation Spin 019, Jan 2019)
+ Low Tides (Album)
(Büro für Erdrotation Spin 018, Nov 2018)
+ As Time Goes By (Album)
(Büro für Erdrotation Spin 017, Jan 2018)
+ Unsung Memories (Album)
(Whitelabrecs wlr029, October 2017)
+ Days Of Our Lives EP
(Audio Gourmet AGN 085, August 2017)
+ Re: Improvisation EP
(Büro für Erdrotation Spin 015, May 2017)
+ Sunset Symphonies (Split-EP with Kraut Sounds)
(Büro für Erdrotation Spin 014, April 2017)
+ Dim Lights EP
(Büro für Erdrotation Spin 012, October 2016)
+ The Rhodes Session (Mini Album)
(Büro für Erdrotation Spin 008, March 2016)
+ Sea Shores (Album)
(Tessellate Recordings TSR007, May 2015)
+ The Long Bright Dark EP
(Audio Gourmet AGN 077, April 2015)

Compilations:
+ Hold On Tight
("The Principle Of Hope" Compilation, Mol, Dec 2022)
+ Down By The Sea
("Ennio's Muse", Whitelabrecs, Jan 2021)
+ The Good Earth
("The Home Diaries", Whitelabrecs wlr 085, Jan 2021)
+ Dissolve (Drone Rework)
("Drone Works Vol. 3" Drone Works International DWI 21, Dec 2019) 
+ Nocturnal Mood
("Sleeplaboratory 1.0" Whitelabrecs wlr 50, Jan 2019)
+ The Good Earth (Minimal Drone RMX)
("Drone Works Vol. 1" Drone Works International DWI 03, Dec 2017)
+ Floating Not Drowning
(Track on "Earthtones Vol. 3" Compilation, Tessellate Recordings TSR006, March 2015)