Playing The Piano

This album, humbly called Ryuichi Sakamoto Playing the Piano, is beyond an understatement to describe such exquisite music. It is, as the title suggests, simply Mr. Sakamoto playing the piano, performing some of his most well-known pieces as well as some I was unfamiliar with. There is so much I would like to convey to describe what a superb album this is, but unfortunately for that, hearing really is believing.The Last Emperor is fantastically done, and even though it is only one instrument playing, if you are familiar with the orchestrated version you can almost hear the other instruments playing in chorus.Mr. Sakamoto seems to really transcend genres. From people steeped in classical music to hard-core metal-heads, he seems to carry an appeal with everyone. It is in my opinion that this album makes a wonderful addition to anyone's music collection and is one of my favorites to listen to when I am relaxing or driving. I wholeheartedly recommend this album and want to encourage more of you to not only buy it, but to review it.As an edit, I wanted to mention that disc 2 has a very eclectic sound to it and is nothing like disc 1. I still really liked it, but some people may object to it.

will read other reviews after 😊Treasure trove of Sakamoto and mind expanding music. Between Satie and Terry Riley. informed by pastoral and nature. very Japanese, the pastoral. Eno - Brian Yes. Roger More! Hard to read liner notes - had to go out in the sun: when I discovered a further little big slip with individual compositions notes (not by Sakamotosan) which I may also read after a few more consecutive spins. some actually sound like harmonium music from my church (harekrishna). grab this, ryuichi fans! I had break-ins in my home: Stolen were the original Ten Thousand Knives. More painful: An original very early Japanese CD of the original vinyl album which I had bought when it came out in the U.S. - re-recorded with added Robin Scott (vocs) and Adrian Belew (guit and perc). Can't get those. Looking for someone to put the rare vinyl on CD. Lovely thoughtful.As Robert Wyatt would say: you'll be Satie-sfied!!

I did not know it was a double CD that also included the CD "Out OF Noise." Learning to play his music on the piano and having it play over and over on my headphones CD player is quicker to learn the keys. Everyone should buy at least one Ryuichi Sakamoto CD and see what beautiful music he plays.

I loved the compositions he penned for The Last Emperor and Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence and so perhaps did not read all the reviews as fully and in-depth as I should have...this is a DOUBLE album, so the price you pay for the CD is truly worth it. On the disc Playing the Piano are some of the wonderful movie pieces Sakamoto wrote. The pieces on the 2nd disc Out of Noise are far too abstract and non-melodic for me to understand and appreciate. I would also recommend the other album "Three" which I also bought and am enjoying very much.... that is the Sakamoto style I love....!

Unlike so called traditional classical music of historic composers, I enjoy Sakamoto's style of classic, which seems closer to my heart in contemporary life style. I did not pay much attention to his Yellow Magic Orchestra days, though I always noticed his music education must be beyond what he was showing at that time. When his works on theme music for movies arrived, I started enjoying his talent, and his music. More recent composition and his piano music really is wonderful to me, as I truly love piano music. I hope to catch his live concert someday, if possible in my life time.

Among Ryuichi Sakamoto's vast and marvellous production, this two cd's album is probably a must, with some of his major works for the film industry and other pieces which his admirers will surely cherish. I'm thinking, among others, of Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence or To Standford, that amazingly beutiful theme he composed, as far as I know, when he was going by train to Stanford University. Listening to Sakamoto is like recovering the happines of crossing again the womb's neck or through our mother's tunnel, like returning to the very origins of our life.

You simply cannot WRITE about the INTIMATCY of COMPOSITIONS of Ryuichi Sakamoto's on this particular CDYou simply cannot EXPLAIN yourself as to why giving this CD a shining 5-star .You simply cannot but FEEL the touches of a musical genius at playYou simply cannot escape but DASH OUT and BUY your own copy.... p.d.q.

This CD is incredible, amazing! I am fan of Ryuichi Sakamoto a long time ago, when I heard cd Casa from brazilian "Tom Jobim", and since then I never more left to listen this japanese artist. I'm from Brazil, and here is far far away to be a great country, but I hope that someday our musicians become like him, so visionary.Gustavo Riera

Me gusto el disco de este autor me da calma y reflexion

Mr Sakamoto is a contemporary genius in his ability to harvest the sounds of nature. His art form is so unique that his creations take him far beyond a composer and musician. He creates music that feels personal and makes the complex accessible. The album has 24 tracks that are 'pianoized' interpretations - a good cross-section and collection of his work. This a beautiful album for all genres of music lover, in my humble opinion.

ピアノの音が終始心地良く、ゆっくりと沈むように深いところまで落ちていけます。極上のリラックス効果。雨の日や眠りたい時などにおすすめです！

Si te gusta la intimidad de un buen solista al piano, este es tu disco. Disfruta de la virtuosidad de Ryuichi.

Double CD pour le prix d'un"Playing the piano" rassemble les plus belles mélodies de Ryuchi, en version épurée au plus simple piano. c'est magnifique."Out of the noise" est plus expérimental, sensoriel ; inécoutable en tant que musique , par contre pour accompagner une séance de relaxation ou de méditation c'est absolument parfait, du coup je l'aime maintenant autant si ce n'est plus que le premier CD pour lequel j'avais fait l'achat. Des heures magiques...