Month: September 2015

Game soundtracks ahoy!

Say hello to the rise of game soundtracks!!

It is impossible not to notice that in the world of classical music, game soundtracks are starting to take over, especially among the younger generations. Gamers across the world are reaching a new level of appreciation for classical music with the release of game soundtracks from the world’s leading orchestras and conducters. For video game fans, Final Fantasy VII’s One Winged Angel, The Legend of Zelda’s Overworld Theme and the Mario Ground Theme (along with a whole load of other fantastic Nintendo themes) hold the same power and appreciation as Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Strauss’, and Wagner’s Rhinegold for all classical music enthusiasts.

 

Game soundrack are making a noise in the world of classical music! Continue reading “Game soundtracks ahoy!”

Luke Jerram strikes again!!!

Luke Jerram has struck again! In the recent months Jerram has practically taken over piano news with his street pianos – on this digital piano news blog alone there have been a handful of posts revolving around the Play Me I’m Yours movement. The latest part of this exciting ongoing story is that a flock of fifteen new street pianos have been placed strategically around Canary Wharf in London as part of the (now world famous) project that was originally thought up in a launderette. Jerram and his piano movement Continue reading “Luke Jerram strikes again!!!”

The Quaver is here!

Say hello to the Quaver!

Since the amazing advancements in digital pianos have come on leaps and bounds, the popularity of the battered old upright piano has dwindled. It is so much more practical to invest in an electronic piano as opposed to a traditional upright, but apparently they still have their odd little space in society. Everyone knows someone who has one sitting in a dusty corner of the house, not being played – and on the rare occasion someone dares to get close enough to it to have a play, it turns out the thing is grossly out of tune as a result of it having not been tuned for the past thirty years, and probably has a nest of mice inside. In short, old upright pianos have become a novelty that can mainly be found in your grandma’s house, or old pubs that have ‘character’ (and bad beer).Quaver

Continue reading “The Quaver is here!”

Gershwin and the digital piano

Believe it or not, it was a digital piano that helped inspire the legendary George Gershwin to play. However, it was not a digital piano as we know them today, but it was an electronic piano with a self-playing feature so as it could be programmed to play pieces without the instruction of a player. It is absurd and somewhat amazing to think how it was a digital piano that inspired someonw who is arguably America’s finest who was born in 1898. Gershwin at piano Continue reading “Gershwin and the digital piano”

More Monster Pianos!!!

This week in digital piano news is yet another story revolving around a monster piano like the one in the film Big. A music teacher from America has decided that as an effective learning tool, it is a great idea to have a Monster Piano in his front room. Monster piano! Continue reading “More Monster Pianos!!!”

The Big piano hits Iowa!

At the Iowa Bettendorf Family Museum there is much hilarity to be had, as the iconic movie ‘ Big ’ is seemingly coming to life after the installation of a giant floor digital piano. Continue reading “The Big piano hits Iowa!”

Casio’s Youtube Star

To accompany Casio’s launch of the brand spanking new Casio CDP 130 digital piano is a pair of Youtube videos where we can see the new piano in action. We see a young, virtuosic pianist take to the ivories and play his heart out in both Chopin’s Etude opus number 25, number 11, otherwise known as ‘Winter Wind’, and Chopin’s Fantasie Impromptu Opus 66. The piano is set up in a red brick room and our mystery player is positioned in the middle of the space available wearing his casual (yet sleek) black suit jacket and a stony expression on his face. Casio's Youtube Sensation Continue reading “Casio’s Youtube Star”

Song Siheng releases cat recital!

 

Not for the first time, a cat has acted as the inspiration for a piano recital. With cats being such a huge internet sensation it isn’t really surprising that they are now taking over the online music scene as well. With the rise of celebrity cat superstars, and cat cafes, next thing we know cats will be taking over the world.Song Siheng Continue reading “Song Siheng releases cat recital!”

Beautiful mosaic piano takes to the streets of Leeds!

Meet Otley’s mosaic piano! As a spin off to the world famous ‘Play Me I’m Yours’ street piano movement a simply stunning piano was created. Unlike the other street pianos, a huge amount of time and effort went into decorating this masterpiece and the whole piano was turned into a mosaic masterpiece by Mosaic artist Frances Taylor. After having been on display in Leeds for a while, the piano has returned to its original home of Otley where it has now joined the other pianos that were put out on the street at the same time to celebrate the Leeds International Piano Competition.Mosaic Piano Continue reading “Beautiful mosaic piano takes to the streets of Leeds!”

Sonya Belousova tackles game themes!

Following on from yesterday’s subject of game themes being played on the piano, a few months ago Player:Piano released an incredible video where virtuoso pianist Sonya Belousova does an ‘on the spot’ challenge. Belousova listens to a few minutes of a game theme and is then faced with the challenge of recreating it on the piano with no practice, and in front of the camera! There have been previous posts on this blog regarding the importance of classical improvisation, and this takes this skill in question to a new and exciting level.Sonya Belousova Continue reading “Sonya Belousova tackles game themes!”