Piano Grand! A Smithsonian Celebration (2000)

About this title: To celebrate the 300th anniversary of the piano, the Smithsonian Institution and Maryland Public TV collaborated to produce a public television special featuring a variety of pianists from the world of jazz, classical, and pop; this CD is the soundtrack to the program, which was recorded live. The eclectic mix of music begins and ends with Billy Joel, singing his ballad "Baby Grand" and his huge hit from the 1970s, "Piano Man." Although he is in great form, the house band backing him adds little to his performance, and at times keyboardist Adam Holtzman's volume threatens to drown out the ... read more

Tracks:

1. Baby Grand [Joel]
2. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat, Op. 73 [Beethoven]
3. Grieg: Piano Concerto in a Minor, St Movement, Allegro Molto Moderato [Grieg]
4. Chopin Nocturne in E-Flat Op. 9, No. 2 [Chopin]
5. Fantasy [Film Noir] [Joel]
6. America [From West Side Story] [Bernstein]
7. Baroque Imperssions [Chestnut]
8. Thank You (Dziekuje) [Brubeck]
9. Let's Fall in Love [Arlen/Koehler]
10. The Time Is Now [Elias]
11. Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On [David/Williams]
12. Great Balls of Fire [Hammer/Blackwell]
13. Piano Man [Joel]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.