David Lanz - Cristofori's Dream ... Re-Envisioned

When I was in college, I heard Lanz's version of "Whiter Shade of Pale". I didn't know the song and I didn't know it was Lanz, but it stuck with me for years until I heard a vocal version and found out what it is called. Last year, I found Lanz's album and love it. I'm thrilled to have the book so I can (attempt to) play it myself. My only complaint is that I have smaller hands and can't reach all of those notes! My 70-year-old mother and I play "Whiter Shade of Pale" as a duet. I wish I had a photo to share...

A very nice piano book. The arrangements are very close to what you will hear on the CD,The difficulty level about level 3 or a little higher. The problem I had the most was, thosestretches of a tenth in the left hand.I will defer here to Kathy Parsons more in-depth review.In short, in my view, it is a good book, if you have a good span in you left hand(especially).

I love playing the pieces from this book! Would definitely recommend as they put you in a dream like place.

Beautiful piano piece!

I love this music book...the songs are beautiful and I enjoy playing them..

Didn't realize there would be SO much repetition of the left hand arpeggiated chords....beautiful music....but not written for my style....I like more variance all around.

I chose this rating because I really like music in general.There was nothing at all about this that I didn't like

"Cristofori's Dream...Re-Envisioned" is the companion songbook to David Lanz's 2012 25th anniversary CD by the same name (not to be confused with the 1999 remastered edition released on the Narada label). The seven original songs from that landmark album appear in new solo piano arrangements and the sheet music versions have also been either redone or refreshed and updated to match the newly-recorded versions. A newer eighth piece, "Seoul Improvisation," is also included in the book and on the new recording. This is the first time that all of the music from Cristofori's Dream has been available in one book. Previously, pieces were included a few at a time in four different books: Piano Solos ('91), David Lanz Collection ('92), Sacred Road ('96), and By Request ('05). In addition to the great music, David wrote about his original inspiration for "Cristofori's Dream," which is still his "signature" piece, as well as a description of the origins of the other seven pieces. He also included his "The Cristofori's Dream Story" that he tells in concert (without some of the really funny asides.) This story is such a beautiful fantasy and brings the piece to life, making it easier to play with all of the expression and heart it deserves. One of my favorite pieces of music ever, I'm glad that the story will be preserved as well. This is a very special collection for David Lanz's fans, old and new, and will bring many hours of playing pleasure to pianists of all ages. A few of the pieces have big reaches and a few have some tricky passages, but most pianists of an upper-intermediate to early advanced level should have no trouble mastering this music. Very highly recommended!The pieces, their key signatures, and the number of pages are listed below:Cristofori's Dream - D minor (1 flat) - 9 pagesSpiral Dance - Eb (3 flats) - 13 pagesGreen Into Gold - E minor (1 sharp) - 12 pagesWings to Altair - D minor (1 flat) - 7 pagesSummer's Child - F (1 flat) - 7 pagesFree Fall - Ab (3 flats) - 9 pagesA Whiter Shade of Pale - C (0 sharps or flats) - 7 pagesSeoul Improvisation - F (1 flat) - 3 pages