Fell in love with the main theme from Studio Ghibli's 'Princess Mononoke' (despite not having watched the movie LOL) so I decided to cover it on my Korg M3 in the style of a piano concerto.  It's a shame I couldn't use my own grand piano for this (it's a thousand miles away) so I had to settle for the studio grand sound in my M3.  The style of this particular cover is mostly inspired by Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 and Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 2. And once again, Joe Hisaishi is a genius.  Haha, enjoy! :)

"Mononoke Suite" Theme for Piano and Orchestra (Joe Hisaishi) played by Russell

An arrangement I made a few months back of "Married Life" from Disney Pixar's 'Up', composed by Michael Giacchino.  I had heaps of fun making this, especially in deciding which instruments to use each time the main theme is reintroduced.  And to all those who haven't yet watched the movie, get on it!  It'll make you laugh (and cry) and it's definitely not one to miss! Enjoy :)

"Married Life" Soundtrack from Disney Pixar's 'Up' played by Russell

One of my favourite soundtracks from one of my favourite movies.  I think it was this particular work that first got me into Thomas Newman's music and I never get tired of listening it it to this day - it's just so magically inspiring :')  I covered this a few months ago on my Yamaha GC1 and Korg M3.  Though it sounds nowhere as mesmerisingly beautiful as the original, I had fun arranging this and I hope you'll enjoy it! :)

"The Letter That Never Came" from 'Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events' cover by Russell

This is the first song ever written, performed and produced entirely by me. I've never considered myself a singer/songwriter so apologies if this maiden attempt fails to impress by any standards. I basically wanted to experiment with creating some original music for a change and so, with a few tips from friends, I managed to put this song together in a couple of days. 

"Feelings" is a song about how one is unable to pursue their feelings for another because these emotions aren't reciprocated, or simply because neither time nor nature allows for them to be together. Yeah it sounds excessively deep and soppy but I couldn't think of anything else to write about for my first attempt at a song. Here are the lyrics for your own reference:

"Feelings"

I don't even know you well but we talk like we're best friends
The world just fades away, I don't want this day to end 
We trade secrets about our lives
And I sneak glances at your eyes
But you look away 

It's funny when I walk with you I feel there's nothing I can't do
We laugh and stroll along the beach underneath a sky so blue
Your gaze lingers on the sand
And I reach out to take your hand
But I never do

So why should I try
'Cause it hurts deep inside 
Knowing that I can't, make you mine 

People say we're a little strange 'cause we hang out all the time
But they don't know the feelings that we were forced to leave behind
I haven't seen you in awhile 
But I'll be thinking of your smile
Until we meet again 

So why do I try
'Cause somewhere deep inside 
There is a fire, that's still alight 

Do you feel the same? 
Do you feel the same? 
Do you feel the same? 
Do you feel the same? 

I haven't seen you in awhile 
But I'll be thinking of your smile
Until we meet again 

***

So that's about it! Please bear in mind that this is nothing more than an amateur singer/songwriter's first attempt to produce a song. Nevertheless, enjoy! :)

"Feelings" (Original) - Russell Tay

So I decided to update my SoundCloud for the first time in YEARS. I was sitting at the piano deciding on what to cover and I thought, why not just improvise on a tune from the top of my head? And funnily enough the theme song from James Cameron's 'Titanic' came to mind, HAHA. It's a beautiful song and I apologise for any minor slips here and there. Everything was played in the moment and I probably couldn't replicate it again if I tried... Hope you enjoy it anyway, and stay tuned for more uploads to come! :) 

- Russell

My Heart Will Go On (from Titanic) - Piano Improvisation by Russell

I challenged myself to write a movie soundtrack in 2 hours and this is what I came up with hahaha. Definitely some influences from Arcade Fire's work on the 'Her' (2013) soundtrack as well as some Satié-like figures at the end. Enjoy! 

In Love (Original Instrumental) - Russell Tay

My very first cover of this catchy song by Little Red. I'm far from the best singer out there but I hope you like it anyway. :D 

Badly sung vocals - Russell
Bass guitar - Russell
PIano - Russell 
Keyboard drums (lol) - Russell
Electric guitar - Russell
Synth - Russell
Backing vocals - Russell 


Rock It [Little Red cover] by Russell Tay

A medley of Disney songs I arranged and performed on the piano. Hope you like it! 

Someday My Prince Will Come - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Can You Feel the Love Tonight - The Lion King
Part of Your World - The Little Mermaid 
Tale As Old As Time - Beauty and the Beast
I See the Light - Tangled
A Whole New World - Aladdin 
When You Wish Upon A Star - Pinocchio 

Disney Piano Medley by Russell Tay

Godowsky's ethereal piano transcription of Camille Saint-Saëns' 'Le Cygne', taken from his musical suite 'The Carnival of the Animals.'

I started learning this piece about 3 weeks ago, after being inspired by Hamelin's live performance of the same work on YouTube.  Anyway I decided to record one of my play-throughs today and it didn't sound half-bad so here it is :P It's still light years from where I want it to be but I thought I'd just like to share one of my favourite piano works.  The main difficulties I faced when tackling this piece were the ridiculous key signature, complicated voicing and cross-rhythms between the right and left hands.  I'll probably record a proper one in another couple of weeks to see how much I improve.  In the meantime, enjoy! :D

Russell plays "Le Cygne" (Godowsky; Saint-Saëns)

Hey guys! Sorry I haven't updated in a while... Anyway, here's a cover of a studio Ghibli classic - "A Town with an Ocean View" from Kiki's Delivery Service, composed by the great Joe Hisaishi.  Recorded all sounds on my Nord Stage 2 EX and Korg M3 and mixed it in Logic.  Hope you enjoy it!  Will try to post more covers soon when I have the time. 

"A Town with an Ocean View. It takes me to a place that appears new and faraway but, as the music progresses, reveals a comforting familiarity."

A Town with an Ocean View (Joe Hisashi; Spirited Away OST) piano + orchestra cover by Russell

One of my favourite songs from one of my favourite musicals! Recorded the piano part on a Yamaha GC1 grand and added the strings and other instruments on a Korg M3. Hope you enjoy it! :D 

On My Own (from Les Misérables) - Piano Cover by Russell

Satisfied my obsessions for Les Mis with this instrumental medley of three beautiful songs taken from the musical, all of which were literally sung at the scene of the barricades - hence the medley's title.  Again, I recorded the piano part on my Yamaha CG1 and added the other instruments on my Korg M3.  This has been one of my most ambitious musical creations thus far, hope you enjoy it! :D

Songs in the medley are (in the order which they are performed):

A Little Fall of Rain
Bring Him Home
Empty Chairs at Empty Tables

At the Barricades (A Les Misérables Medley) by Russell

One of my piano students introduced this beautiful piece to me earlier in the week and I actually found time to cover it (go figure).  Just a lovely soundtrack from a lovely film.  Hope this lifts some dampened spirits for all those stuck at home 🙏🏻

“Life is suffering. It is hard. The world is cursed. But still you find reasons to keep living.” - Osa (Princess Mononoke)

Ashitaka and San (Joe Hisashi; Princess Mononoke OST) piano + orchestra cover by Russell

When I watched this movie I remembered being completely mesmerised by the simplistic beauty of its main orchestral theme.  This soundtrack is characterised by a low C pedal point upon which the composer adds several natural overtones (i.e. G, E, D and C one octave higher) to create an airy, ethereal effect, while the piano plays lingering chords over the C drone.  I tried replicating this soundtrack on my own using a Yamaha GC1 grand for the piano part and a Korg M3 for the other instruments.  This is one of my favourite movie soundtracks ever and I hope you'll enjoy it! 

World Trade Centre Main Theme (Craig Armstrong) instrumental cover by Russell

My instrumental rendition of the soundtrack "An Ideal Marriage" from the TV show 'Downtown Abbey," composed by John Lunn.  I felt the piano part was slightly overshadowed by the other instruments in the original so I decided to bring it out more in my recording by adding a few...ahem, showy embellishments.  Anyways enjoy! :) 

"An Ideal Marriage" (Downton Abbey Suite) instrumental cover by Russell

My cover of the soundtrack from the 2003 Pixar classic "Finding Nemo," composed by Thomas Newman.  The original track is only about one and a half minutes - which I thought was slightly short, so I repeated a few sections to make it sound more complete.  I think Thomas Newman is an absolute musical genius and I hope my own rendition does his composition justice.  Enjoy! :) 

Nemo (Egg) - Instrumental Cover by Russell

Recorded the beautiful piano soundtrack "One Summer's Day" from the 2001 Japanese animated fantasy film "Spirited Away," composed by Joe Hisashi.  This piano cover is similar to Hisashi's own solo performance at his live concert, though there are some subtle differences in my interpretation of the work.  Anyway, hope you enjoy it! :) 

One Summer's Day (Joe Hisaishi; Spirited Away OST) piano cover by Russell

My rendition of Hans Zimmer's gorgeous work, "Tennessee", taken from the 2001 movie "Pearl Harbor."  The main melodic theme never ceases to send shivers down my spine.  Re-recorded the strings on this once because my first attempt sounded pretty tenuous and artificial. Enjoy! :)

"Tennessee" (Pearl Harbor Soundtrack; Hans Zimmer) - instrumental cover by Russell

When I first heard the breathtaking soundtrack to ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ I knew I had to learn it at some point - and what better time when stuck home in lockdown.  Here's my humble attempt at covering John Powell's 'Romantic Flight' - all sounds recorded on my Nord Stage 2 EX and Korg M3, mixed on Logic Pro.  Enjoy!

"Romantic Flight" from How to Train Your Dragon - Instrumental cover by Russell

This is my recording of the classic tune "Over the Rainbow," arranged for piano by George Shearing.  I performed this as the finale of my VCE Music Performance exam in 2011 and it's still one of my favourite piano arrangements to this day.  Shearing uses some gorgeous chords and intricate harmonies that sound simply delightful.  Hope you enjoy it! :) 

Shearing: Over the Rainbow - played by Russell

Hi, I'm Russell and I make instrumental covers of music that I love. I am a jazz pianist by trade but I also enjoy playing contemporary music including pop, R&B and I have a penchant for beautiful movie soundtracks.

My favourite film composers:
Thomas Newman
James Newton Howard
Alexandre Desplat 
Hans Zimmer 
Joe Hisaishi

Most of my music is recorded on my Yamaha GC1 grand piano, Nord Stage 2 EX and Korg M3, and then mixed on Logic Pro X. 

Check out my youtube channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZh-DDSozT91x4BWS_BOuPQ

Happy listening! :)

rustleteh

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