Piano Variations on Jesus Christ Superstar / Stefano Bollani (2 Vinyles LP)

Description

Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Tim Rice, except for Stefano Bollani’s “Prelude”: Prelude - Heaven On Their Minds - What's The Buzz - Strange Thing, Mystifying - Everything's Alright - This Jesus Must Die - Hosanna - Simon Zealotes - Pilate's Dream - The Temple - I Don't Know How To Love Him - Damned For All Time - The Last Supper - Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say) - King Herod's Song - Trial Before Pilate - Superstar - John Nineteen: Forty-One Stefano Bollani began playing the piano at the age of 6. A child prodigy (later graduating from the Florence Conservatory of Music), he devoured music whenever he could, constantly seeking stimulation, everywhere, in all music from the past while exploring the present. He was 14 when he first saw the film "Jesus Christ Superstar," and it was a life-changing experience! Young Bollani immediately fell in love with the music, the story, and the atmosphere of the scenes. He bought the record right away and listened to it constantly. He quickly learned all the song lyrics, but he barely dared to perform the music. It is only now – after 30 years of musical creations in all genres and styles, countless recordings, significant encounters and concerts worldwide – that Bollani has decided to record his own version of Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice's masterpiece. And only now does he realize that his own album will be released exactly 50 years after the original concept album "Jesus Christ Superstar"! But why is Bollani releasing "Jesus Christ Superstar" only now? Simply, Bollani confesses, because he loves and immensely respects the original version: the music and lyrics, the arrangements and the singers. And yet he so desperately wanted to offer his own version. So the only way for him was to conceive a personal version that would be very different from the original. And that is precisely what Bollani did by presenting an entirely instrumental version for piano alone. "I chose this solo piano format because the love story here is between the rock opera and myself – and Bollani explains with a smile – I know a love story is better when it remains intimate." But don't expect a simple solo piano transcription! No! Bollani, very grateful for the exceptional authorization granted to him to reinterpret the cult opera "Jesus Christ Superstar," freely (but respectfully) improvised on the original melodies and songs, following his playful and musical spirit created by the many genres, traditions, styles, and encounters that have influenced, shaped, and consolidated what is considered his own language. For his "Piano Variations on Jesus Christ Superstar," Bollani decided to tune the piano to 432 Hz, which is rather unusual nowadays. He does this not to