Today (March 29) marks the 88th day of the year. As a tribute to the 88 keys found on a standard piano, German composer Nils Frahm has declared it Piano Day. He's also released a surprise new album.
Called Solo, the release is comprised of eight new songs from the composer. As he explains on the official Piano Day site, he conceived the annual holiday as an excuse to drop the free album:
At the end of 2014 I had an immediate urge to release a solo piano album which I recorded some time ago, and I was looking for a specific occasion to do so. I wanted it to be a nice surprise for everyone, so I thought of a meaningful release date to begin with. Seconds later it came to my mind: I was about to create my own holiday in order to come up with a reason for this release. Moreover, if I could be proud of something, then of being responsible for an annual celebration of the piano. And here comes the best bit, Piano Day will happen on the 88th day of the year, which most of the time is the 29th of March. Piano Day is intended to be the most joyful of all holidays.
In addition to the free digital release, which is available here, Solo has also been released on vinyl and CD through Erased Tapes. Proceeds from the album will help piano innovator David Klavins with the creation of his new model, the Klavins M450. Solo was recorded with a prototype of this piano.
Listen to Solo track "Wall" below, and have a happy Piano Day.
Solo:
1. Ode
2. Some
3. Circling
4. Merry
5. Chant
6. Wall
7. Immerse!
8. Four Hands
Called Solo, the release is comprised of eight new songs from the composer. As he explains on the official Piano Day site, he conceived the annual holiday as an excuse to drop the free album:
At the end of 2014 I had an immediate urge to release a solo piano album which I recorded some time ago, and I was looking for a specific occasion to do so. I wanted it to be a nice surprise for everyone, so I thought of a meaningful release date to begin with. Seconds later it came to my mind: I was about to create my own holiday in order to come up with a reason for this release. Moreover, if I could be proud of something, then of being responsible for an annual celebration of the piano. And here comes the best bit, Piano Day will happen on the 88th day of the year, which most of the time is the 29th of March. Piano Day is intended to be the most joyful of all holidays.
In addition to the free digital release, which is available here, Solo has also been released on vinyl and CD through Erased Tapes. Proceeds from the album will help piano innovator David Klavins with the creation of his new model, the Klavins M450. Solo was recorded with a prototype of this piano.
Listen to Solo track "Wall" below, and have a happy Piano Day.
Solo:
1. Ode
2. Some
3. Circling
4. Merry
5. Chant
6. Wall
7. Immerse!
8. Four Hands