My Favourite Pianists
While it’s very tempting to write a list of my favourite musicians, that list would be a million light-years long and would be far too much to read. So instead, I’ve decided to list my favourite pianists!
The Piano Guys – I’m a very big fan of these folks. Not only is their music dynamic, interesting and full of personality, the musicians themselves are vibrant and seem to have a deep passion for their music. Despite their name, the Piano Guys also feature a cello, and sometimes will include voice, violin, and the talents of other musicians. The Piano Guys generally perform covers songs (sometimes combining two different songs into one,) though they do have original songs as well. I had the privilege of seeing them live in Vancouver and it was an experience I will never forget! They were so entertaining on stage and hearing the songs I have grown to love to much played in real time was awe-inspiring.
Some of my top favourites are:
1. Arwen’s Vigil
2. Flicker
3. It’s Gonna Be Okay
4. Kung Fu Piano: Cello Ascends
5. O Come O Come, Emmanuel
David Lanz – David Lanz started his musical career in the 1960s and has many notable songs that I listen to very frequently. His songs can be challenging at times but they are excellent to listen to when reading, writing, or trying to get things done. (I can’t tell you how many essays I’ve written listening to David.) The style and temp of each song varies, but he has an undeniable style that can be soothing, inspiring or melancholy. I learned one song of his—Nocturne—back when I was a student, and it’s a song that I both remember fondly and still play today.
Some of my favourite songs of his are:
1. Before the Last Leaf Falls
2. Escapades of Pan
3. Nocturne
4. Norwegian Wood (This Bird has Flown)
5. Painting the Sun
Tokio Myers – This musician first appeared in Britain’s Got Talent with a more modern take on Claire De Lune that evolved into Ed Sheeran’s Bloodstream. Some say he adds an “edgy” twist to classical songs, which I find intriguing. He is a one-man show, using electronic additions as well as vocal tracks to build his songs. Like many contestants in televised talent shows, Tokio Myers comes from a tough background, but he claims that he was able to use music to “let go of the negative energy” and “keep [himself] out of trouble.” Though he may not be to everyone’s taste, it’s clear that Tokio Myers has a passion for his music.
My top picks:
1. Angel
2. Bloodstream
3. Human
4. Limitless
5. Polaroid
Honourable Mentions:
Nobuyuki Tsujii – I’m not overly familiar with other works of his, but the first video of his I saw was his very moving and impactful performance of "Elegy for the Victims of the Tsunami of March 11, 2011 in Japan." The song can be found on youtube, however I recommend bringing Kleenex if you’re going to listen. Tsujii’s style appears to be similar to classic and orchestral pieces, but it’s plain to see that he puts a great deal of feeling into everything he plays. That, and he can make ridiculously difficult songs look like they’re no big deal, which is always amazing to watch.
Here are three more songs of his that I enjoyed:
1. The angel’s Wings/The Angel Wings of Rockefeller
2. Whisper of the River
3. Un Sospiro
Chilly Gonzales – Although I’m not overly familiar with this Canadian pianist, I’ve definitely heard his songs on the radio before. Listening to Chilly’s songs, I can hear a range of music from jazzy trills and grace notes to classical. Surprisingly, this pianist has collaborated with a few pop artists such as Feist, Drake and Daft Punk! And another fun fact: the videos from Piano Solo II on youtube give you a fabulous top-down view of Chilly Gonzales’ hands so you can see how he plays each note.
Three songs of his that I like are:
1. Othello
2. Minor Fantasy
3. Train of Thought
Jennifer Thomas – Jennifer is both a pianist and a violinist, and her understanding of both instruments shows through in her music. I’m a fan of Jennifer’s energy; I only recently discovered her, and one of my favourites of hers is Illumination, a song with determination and drive, backed by a wonderful string section and vocal accompaniment that will make you feel like you’re in a movie. (Her songs have incredible pacing and range too!) If I need piano music to ‘psych me up,’ I like to listen to Jennifer Thomas!
Jennifer has a lot of songs up on youtube, but three that I recommend are:
1. Toccata and Fugue
2. Fire Dance
3. Soaring
As it stands, this list is pretty short. I’m sure there are many more musicians out there, and this list will likely expand over time, but these are the first pianists that come to mind. If I left out someone you love, let me know—I’m always open to suggestions!
