"Water City" is about the numerous water townships spread throughout China. These townships or "water cities" as commonly referred to, are surrounded and divided by lakes and rivers. Many stone bridges cross the rivers, showing distinctive views of the township. On my visit to one of the most famous water cities, Zhouzhuang, called the "Venice of the East", it is here where I got the inspiration to compose this song.

Red Lanterns

TIP THE ARTIST

Water City

Composition by: Hugo Peretti / Luigi Creatore / George David Weiss.
Improvised performance by Ralston van der Schyff.
Recorded live at Jing An Shangri-La, West Shanghai.

Cant Help Falling In Love

Composition by: Bob Merrill / Julie Styne.
Improvised performance by Ralston van der Schyff.
Recorded live at Jing An Shangri-La, West Shanghai.

People

Composition by: Rolf Lovland / Brendan Graham.
Improvised performance by Ralston van der Schyff.
Recorded live at Jing An Shangri-La, West Shanghai.

You Raise Me Up

Composition by: Bill Evans. Improvised performance by Ralston van der Schyff. Recorded live at Jing An Shangri-La, West Shanghai.

Children's Play Song

Composition by: John Burke / Arthur Johnston.
Improvised performance by Ralston van der Schyff.
Recorded live at Jing An Shangri-La, West Shanghai.

Pennies From Heaven

Livestream recording of Classical Interpretations of Jazz Standards.
Composition by Billy Strayhorn.
Improvised performance by Ralston Van Der Schyff.
Recorded live and unedited at Pally Bear Studio.

Recording Gear:
Roland A90ex controller
Native Instruments “The Grandeur” piano samples

Jazz Standards - Classical Interpretations Vol.2

Lush Life

Livestream recording of Classical Interpretations of Jazz Standards.
Composition by Bob Merrill / Jule Styne.
Improvised performance by Ralston Van Der Schyff.
Recorded live and unedited at Pally Bear Studio.

Recording Gear:
Roland A90ex controller
Native Instruments “The Grandeur” piano samples

Jazz Standards - Classical Interpretations Vol.3

From the upcoming album "Attic Story", this track "A Doll's Ballet", depicts the Ballet dance of an abandoned doll yearning for the days when she was loved and cared for. On the floorboards of the attic and in her ragged state, her padded feet gracefully embraces the ground beneath her in an eloquent display of nostalgia.

A Doll's Ballet

From the upcoming album Attic Story, this track "A Game Of Cat And Mouse", is a playful display of 'hide and seek', and 'catch me if you can' between two friends, Cat and Mouse.

A Game Of Cat And Mouse

A violent storm descends, wreaking havoc. Winds, unmetered in power, swirl, twist and pull. And at times when it seems unending, a period of serenity ensues; but only briefly. Recharged in strength it repeats the cycle of mayhem and fear. And in stark contrast to its violent arrival, it abruptly dissipates in calm finality.

CREDITS:
Piano Performance using Steinway Model-D Concert Grand Piano instrument samples courtesy of Spitfire Audio
Composition, orchestration and performance by Ralston van der Schyff
Recording, production, mixing and mastering by Pally Bear at PallyBear Studio
Copyright ©️ ℗ 2022 Composition and Master Sound Recording: Ralston van der Schyff

Art Design by MuzArt Studio
Photography: Michael Olsen

Tempest

An unexpected call over an unintended situation leads to an unnecessary and unjust confinement. Whisked away to serve time in an undisclosed location; an unfit environment for any human soul. Trapped! And the only consolation is from loved ones bringing respite and a glimmer of hope. One's mind is tossed between despair, loneliness, searching for answers when there are none. Some days seem bright when occupied with distracting thoughts, in the end only to fall into a lull with an expressionless gaze, knowing that another day of confinement is on the horizon.

CREDITS:
Art Design by MuzArt Studio
Photography: JR Korpa

Piano Performance using Orchestral Grand Piano instrument samples courtesy of Spitfire Audio

Composition, orchestration and performance by Ralston Van Der Schyff
Recording, production, mixing and mastering by Pally Bear at PallyBear Studio

Copyright ©️ ℗ 2022 Composition and Master Sound Recording: Ralston Van Der Schyff

Confinement

Composer: Glen Miller / Mitchell Parish

Improvised solo piano performances by pianist, Ralston Van Der Schyff.
Recorded live and unedited at The River Wing Lounge - Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai.

Moonlight Serenade

Composer: Errol Garner

Improvised solo piano performances by pianist, Ralston Van Der Schyff.
Recorded live and unedited at The River Wing Lounge - Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai.

Misty

Composer: Duke Ellington

Improvised solo piano performances by pianist, Ralston Van Der Schyff.
Recorded live and unedited at The River Wing Lounge - Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai.

Take The A Train

Also known as "A Day In The Life Of A Fool (Manha De Carnaval)"

Composer: Carl Sigman / Luiz Bonfa

Improvised solo piano performances by pianist, Ralston Van Der Schyff.
Recorded live and unedited at The River Wing Lounge - Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai.

Black Orpheus

Composer: Spencer Williams

Improvised solo piano performances by pianist, Ralston Van Der Schyff.
Recorded live and unedited at The River Wing Lounge - Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai.

Basin Street Blues

Composer: Hammerstein / Kern

Improvised solo piano performances by pianist, Ralston Van Der Schyff.
Recorded live and unedited at The River Wing Lounge - Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai.

All The Things You Are

Composer: Manning Sherwin / Eric Maschwitz

Improvised solo piano performances by pianist, Ralston Van Der Schyff.
Recorded live and unedited at The River Wing Lounge - Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai.

A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square

Also known as Londonderry Air.
Composer: Unknown
Improvised Piano Performance: Ralston Van Der Schyff

Instrument: Edelweiss Sygnet Baby Grand Piano.
Recorded LIVE, unrehearsed and unedited at The Harrods Tea Rooms, Shanghai.

High Tea At Harrods

Oh Danny Boy

Composer: Charles Trenet
Improvised Piano Performance: Ralston Van Der Schyff

Instrument: Edelweiss Sygnet Baby Grand Piano.
Recorded live, unrehearsed and unedited at The Harrods Tea Rooms, Shanghai.

Beyond The Sea

Composer: Mitchell Parish / Glen Miller
Improvised Piano Performance: Ralston Van Der Schyff

Instrument: Edelweiss Sygnet Baby Grand Piano.
Recorded live, unrehearsed and unedited at The Harrods Tea Rooms, Shanghai.

Composer: Bert Kaempfert
Improvised Piano Performance: Ralston Van Der Schyff

Instrument: Edelweiss Sygnet Baby Grand Piano.
Recorded live, unrehearsed and unedited at The Harrods Tea Rooms, Shanghai.

Strangers In The Night

Composer: Douglas Cross / George Cory
Improvised Piano Performance: Ralston Van Der Schyff

Instrument: Edelweiss Sygnet Baby Grand Piano.
Recorded live, unrehearsed and unedited at The Harrods Tea Rooms, Shanghai.

I Left My Heart In San Francisco

Composer: Kahn / Brown
Improvised Piano Performance: Ralston Van Der Schyff

Instrument: Edelweiss Sygnet Baby Grand Piano.
Recorded live, unrehearsed and unedited at The Harrods Tea Rooms, Shanghai.

You Stepped Out Of A Dream

Composer: M. Wilson
Improvised Piano Performance: Ralston Van Der Schyff

Instrument: Edelweiss Sygnet Baby Grand Piano.
Recorded live, unrehearsed and unedited at The Harrods Tea Rooms, Shanghai.

Till There Was You

Composer: George Fragos / Jack Baker / Dick Gasparre
Improvised Piano Performance: Ralston Van Der Schyff

Instrument: Edelweiss Sygnet Baby Grand Piano.
Recorded live, unrehearsed and unedited at The Harrods Tea Rooms, Shanghai.

I Hear A Rhapsody

Composer: Schertzinger / Mercer
Improvised Piano Performance: Ralston Van Der Schyff

Instrument: Edelweiss Sygnet Baby Grand Piano.
Recorded live, unrehearsed and unedited at The Harrods Tea Rooms, Shanghai.

I Remember You

Composer: Irving Caeser / Vincert Youmans
Improvised Piano Performance: Ralston Van Der Schyff

Instrument: Edelweiss Sygnet Baby Grand Piano.
Recorded live, unrehearsed and unedited at The Harrods Tea Rooms, Shanghai.

Tea For Two

Composer: George Gershwin
Improvised Piano Performance: Ralston Van Der Schyff

Instrument: Edelweiss Sygnet Baby Grand Piano.
Recorded live, unrehearsed and unedited at The Harrods Tea Rooms, Shanghai.

The Man I Love

Composer: David Raksin
Improvised Piano Performance: Ralston Van Der Schyff

Instrument: Edelweiss Sygnet Baby Grand Piano.
Recorded live, unrehearsed and unedited at The Harrods Tea Rooms, Shanghai.

Laura

Composer: H. Warren
Improvised Piano Performance: Ralston Van Der Schyff

Instrument: Edelweiss Sygnet Baby Grand Piano.
Recorded live, unrehearsed and unedited at The Harrods Tea Rooms, Shanghai.

September In The Rain

Composer: Roy Turk / Fred E. Ahlert
Improvised Piano Performance: Ralston Van Der Schyff

Instrument: Edelweiss Sygnet Baby Grand Piano.
Recorded live, unrehearsed and unedited at The Harrods Tea Rooms, Shanghai.

Mean To Me

Composer: Horace Silver
Improvised Piano Performance: Ralston Van Der Schyff

Instrument: Edelweiss Sygnet Baby Grand Piano.
Recorded live, unrehearsed and unedited at The Harrods Tea Rooms, Shanghai.

Peace

In the realm of contemporary classical piano music, Ralston Van Der Schyff stands as an extraordinary artist, seamlessly weaving the tapestry of genres to create captivating and transformative performances. A pianist and composer of immense talent, Ralston's artistic journey is a testament to the power of musical fusion, drawing influences from jazz, gospel, and classical music.

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Ralston Van Der Schyff

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