As far as film music goes, I can think of a few Elfman pieces - Victor's Piano Solo and Piano Duet (dialogue-free versions were in the Burton box) from Corpse Bride. There's also a piece that's exclusively on his first compilation (Music for a Darkened Theatre) which I can hear in my head, but I couldn't tell you which track.
As far as film music goes, I can think of a few Elfman pieces - Victor's Piano Solo and Piano Duet (dialogue-free versions were in the Burton box) from Corpse Bride. There's also a piece that's exclusively on his first compilation (Music for a Darkened Theatre) which I can hear in my head, but I couldn't tell you which track.
The CORPSE BRIDE pieces are great examples (the dialogue-free ones), but they're way too short, sadly. I hardly get to settle in the mood before it's over. And so abrubtly too.
"Love Theme - King and Queen" from FORBIDDEN ZONE (featured on the MFADT compilation you speak of) is also a good example, but again it's only 1:15. And it also features a harp at one point, so it isn't exclusively piano.
Oops- thought it was an exclusive piece to the comp - guess I need to relisten to Forbidden Zone. Just scrolled through my iPod - most of the piano pieces I have on there currently are for piano and orchestra, but here's one I found that's pretty lovely.
I'm on a piano binge again (my favourite instrument), and need some recommendations since previous threads have been score-centric only.
ALL parameters below must be met at the same time in order to fit into my 'project':
1) ONLY piano. No other instrument. Solo piano! Multiple pianos are allowed, but I prefer pieces for one player only.
2) The melody must be in a Minor Key. Slow or powerful, but beautiful and emotionally riveting in all its sadness.
3) Film music or classical music or even more pop-based, I don't care.
So, with that in mind, what single tracks or whole pieces would you suggest?
Chopin's "Prelude in E Minor" fits the bill perfectly. The well-known Bossa Nova tune by Braziliian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, "Insensatez", is based on this piece.
I also have a great example on Marco Werba's soundtrack to IL DIARIO DI UN PRETE, Bach and Marcello's "Largo dal concerto per oboe e orchestra" (I don't know the English title) which has been arranged for piano. Wish I could post a youtube clip of it, but I can't find it.
Thor, go directly to Chopin, especially the Mazurkas and Nocturnes. With Chopin it'll be easy for you to zero in on what you are looking for since his pieces are almost always cited with the key specified-- so you can just look for 'Minor' in the track titles
The 19th century solo piano repertoire is probably the richest vein in the history of music-- I'll try to follow up with suggestions from its other luminaries. Chopin's only the tip of the iceberg.
Tiomkin's ANGEL FACE has solo piano sequences during which Jean Simmons plots to bump off her stepmother. Wonderful melody but unfortunately unavailable on disc.
Thor, go directly to Chopin, especially the Mazurkas and Nocturnes. With Chopin it'll be easy for you to zero in on what you are looking for since his pieces are almost always cited with the key specified-- so you can just look for 'Minor' in the track titles
There are several minor key piano solos scattered around the film scores of Jan A.P. Kaczmarek. Notably "Postscriptum" (LOST SOULS) "Unfaithful" (UNFAITHFUL) "Catherine's Nocturne" (WASHINGTON SQUARE) and my pwn favorite: "Frank & Roxanne" (THE THIRD MIRACLE).
Some of these may be played (uncredited) by Polish pianist Leszek Mozdzer. In fact, Mozdzer made an entire CD of Kaczmarek's film music, called 'Kaczmarek by Mozdzer', now out-of-print. A few used copies are available, here and there.
I think that Kaczmarek's minor key piano music has a wonderful sound, and I like it very much. These are not (I don't believe) simply album arrangements, but seem to have been used in the films themselves. The "Frank & Roxanne" piece from THE THIRD MIRACLE was, I thought, especially effective in it's use.
A tiny bit, but it's only self-taught, by fooling around on the piano when I was a kid. I don't read sheet music. It's one of the greatest regrets of my life; that my parents didn't nurture this talent when they saw it.
A tiny bit, but it's only self-taught, by fooling around on the piano when I was a kid. I don't read sheet music. It's one of the greatest regrets of my life; that my parents didn't nurture this talent when they saw it.
It's never to late! I started playing piano about 18 months ago and am just loving it (after years and years of regretting not being able to play) Although I learnt to read music playing guitar when a kid, so that helped immensely as I didn't have to worry about that aspect at all.
Back to your original question. Jan Kaczmarek writes a lot for solo piano:
And it also features a harp at one point, so it isn't exclusively piano. 
Just scrolled through my iPod - most of the piano pieces I have on there currently are for piano and orchestra, but here's one I found that's pretty lovely.