The Piano

Also buy George Winston's album named December. If you do not get lucky with the ladies then you haven't played it long enough.

I found Mike Strickland while listening to Whisperings Radio station. I was in my office working like mad. This song came up - caught me and held me until it was complete. I stared out the window and in my mind watched the expert hands playing the keys of the piano. I too am a pianist as well - and I sometimes close my eyes and see the notes being played on the piano. This time around - listening to The Dreamwaltz is exactly what it did. Stopped me and took me into a dream. This piece so wonderfully played had me in tears. Stickland played it with such emotion. I downloaded it immediately after listening to it. This is my favorite piano piece, the best and most emotionally played I have ever heard. I'm going to find the album today. Wow, I'm just beside myself. Eli

I know Walking in the Air, but not just from "The Snowman". I got to attend two George Winston concerts many Christmases ago, and that was one of the few songs he played that had been composed by someone else. Mike Strickland gives a lovely performance of that song here. As for "The Piano", I knew Michael Nyman composed and performed the song because I loved the film, and I tend to try and find out who the composer is when I love a score. Strickland's isn't my favorite version of the song, but that could just be that I "bonded" with the first recording I heard of that song. I only recently learned Strickland's name, from listening to "Whisperings" the incredibly-good Internet radio all-solo-piano station. If you've not listened to that station, you may want to. It's free! And they tend not to play New Age warhorses, so you will very likely discover some new artists!

The Heart Asks Pleasure First is credited to the movie The Piano, and was written by Michael Nyman, NOT Yanni. Credit was directed towards the movie, and had a person actually SEEN it, they would know Michael Nyman composed the score for the movie. This was a decent cover, but I also recommend The Piano's entire album.

this is one of the most calming albums i have ever heard. Mike strickland is a genius!

This flowing rythm and peaceful vibe puts me into a world like no other, bsides Lou Montelione (check his CD out!).

I just wanted to express my fondness for Mike Strickland in this album. Each song was played beautifully, and as I listened, the emotion of each song was overwhelming. The best part of this album is the integrity of selection. Strickland plays songs from classics to those found in today's most popular movies. I give the highest rating for this album, and hope that others may enjoy it as much as I have.