Yoshiki, one of Asia's most influential artists and biggest rock icon, is proud to announce the release of his new classical album Yoshiki Classical. Set for an August 27th digital release,Yoshiki Classical sees collaborations between Yoshiki and legendary Beatles producer Sir George Martin, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Tokyo City Philharmonic Symphony and the Quartet San Francisco. The end result is a beautiful symphonic collection driven by soaring strings, smart piano pieces and the melodic style of Yoshiki's earlier work. Although known as the founder of Japan's biggest rock band X Japan and credited as the catalyst for the flamboyant visual kei rock sub-genre, Yoshiki is a world-renowned classically trained multi-instrumentalist/composer/musician. He has made an impressive mark within the classical genre, having composed the 2012 Golden Globe Awards theme song, which is available in 111 countries. He also composed and performed an orchestral piece/piano concerto to commemorate the Japanese Emperor's 10th anniversary of his reign, along with the theme for the World Expo in Japan.
K**T
Music from a modern master.
I love classical music and Yoshiki is the modern composer of today.1. Miracle - haunting music complete with a choir. Like a opera.2. Red Christmas - soft and melodious like a song from Bach.It seems sad and yearning at the same time.3. Seize the Light - a song that is like the sun rising in the sky. A Live Version.4. Golden Globe Theme - A wonderful theme for the Golden Globes.5. Tears (Classical)- a classical rework of the song he did in X Japan.6. Anniversary - the song he composed for the anniversary of the Emperor of Japan.7. Forever Love (Classical)- Another classical version X Japan song8. I'll Be Your Love - a beautiful hopeful song. :)9. Amethyst - this reminds me strangely of spring emerging from winter10. Say Anything - another classical version of a X Japan song. I love this one!11. Golden Globe Theme (Quartet)- the Golden Globes theme by a quartet.I like this album, but it would have been nice to have all new songs.But the songs done are great both old and new. If you love Yoshiki's songs,then buy this album! Must listen!
B**N
Piano Maestro!
I'm in awe of the enigma of the multi-talented Yoshiki! On the one hand he's a crazy hard-rocking drummer and band leader of X Japan, at the other end of the scale, he's a celebrated classical pianist, composer, producer, the list goes on. Never to conform to the norm, his songs and compositions are usually pretty long, each song seldom lasting less than 8 minutes, Art of Life is a 30 minute long rock symphony!! Such great music shouldn't be too short, we can't get enough of it! All the songs on Yoshiki Classical are too beautiful to describe in a paragraph. Get it, you won't be sorry! Currently Yoshiki is on his solo Classical World Tour, so I will catch him live soon. Don't miss it! Also I'm so happy that X-Japan has just announced a date at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 11, 2014!!!! This will be epic! I am dying to get my hands on "THE WORLD～X JAPAN Hatsu no zensekai best～ (Limited Edition)", release date : 2014.6.17! Too much good news!
T**S
Yoshiki Does it again!!
I discovered X-Japan after l heard their song on the Saw IV soundtrack. I then discovered the huge amount of talent the band had, and then subsequently found out how much talent Yoshiki has as performer, and music composer. Being an American performer and music composer myself, I am thankful that Yoshiki is in my world, and I think that more people in the world should open their eye's to artists like Yoshiki.The album is very inspiring, and very soulful. Yoshiki has been given a gift that only a small amount of people have. His vision of the world is translated beautifully through his music. If you are a music lover, and love to sit and relax to a heart warming orchestral piece, then Yoshiki's album would be perfect for you.I look forward to a future with Yoshiki in it, as a person, and an artist!!
S**X
Outstanding composer/pianist
I heard Yoshiki on a PBS special; to see the transition of a rock drummer to a classical composer/pianist, was a welcomesurprise. His music is somewhat of a crossover style of classical/new age; it is an easy listening experience. Yoshiki is inhis early 50s but he looks like a young man, and he has the vitality of a younger person. His manner is soft and gentle;his personality transitions into his beautiful compositions. I highly recommend this album to anyone who enjoys relaxing classical/new age music genre.
J**Z
Breath taking music
You can't find anything else like this. Yoshiki's music will carry you to another journey. Sadness, Joy, Anger....He's an other musician with talents given from the heaven.I found Yoshiki's album paring with les miserables, it gives me the same levels of musical highs.If you like metal and pop, you should also try his previous tracks such as Jade and Endless Rain. Youtube it, just the music will take your breath away.Feel free to fall in love with the Yoshiki.
A**R
Great album/single, only problem I have with it
Great album/single, only problem I have with it, was that the CD case as a slight crack on the back when received in the mail.
J**A
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Yes. Yes. Yes.Yoshiki is here, in the United States, and it's awesome.I still highly recommend importing eternal melody 2 but this is a great jumping off point. Hopefully sales of this will help bring over the rest of Yoshiki's classical suite of music over for legal purchase in the States because I don't know how anybody who has working ears can not appreciate the gloriousness that is Yoshiki Classical.
R**E
Wonderful and amazing!
One of the most amazing albums I own! Before Yoshiki I didn't really listen to much classical but that has changed. This album has a lot of depth and feeling and some parts of songs can really give you chills. I definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone! We are X forever!!
F**.
It is always a joy to listen to Yoshiki play the piano
It is always a joy to listen to Yoshiki play the piano, both live and recorded as a CD. The emotion and passion he puts into his music is delivered beautifully.
K**0
More Like Four and a Half Stars.
I am not much for classical music but I have always liked Yoshiki's music. This album is a welcome addition to any CD collection if you are a Yoshiki fan or an X Japan fan or just like classical music. It has many classic X Japan songs in classical form and other new songs that sound great and every song has an incredibly beautiful melody.The reason that I do not give this album five stars is because I'm not much for classical music.
D**N
Da wird für mich zu tief in den Schmalztopf gegriffen
Yoshiki Hayashi, Bandleader von X Japan, ist zweifelsohne ein talentierter Schlagzeuger, Pianist und Songwriter. Auf "Classical" aus dem Jahr 2013 befindet sich eine Zusamenstellung von X-Japan-Balladen und Liedern von Yoshikis Projekten, allesamt in rein orchestralen Arrangements ohne Gesang, der Großteil wurde bereits in den 90ern veröffentlicht. Bei einigen Stücken ist neben einem großen oder kleinen Orchester (u.a. ist das London Philharmonic Orchestra vertreten) Yoshiki am Piano zu hören. Hinzu kommen Stücke, die von Anfang an als Klassikstücke komponiert waren, wie die Titelmusik für die Golden Globe Awards oder ein Lied zum Thronjubiläum des japanischen Kaisers. Selbstverständlich spielt sich hier technisch alles auf hohem Niveau ab, nur wird es mir auf "Classical" zu oft viel zu schmalzig. Yoshiki hat eine Vorliebe für besonders cheesige Harmonien, wodurch etliche Lieder klingen, als könnten sie zum Soundtrack einer kitschigen Disney-Schmonzette gehören. Nur bei wenigen Stücken werden die Kitsch-Klippen umschifft, zum Beispiel bei jenem für den Kaiser. Fazit: Sicher gut gemacht, aber einfach nicht mein Fall. Darum sind die drei Sterne als neutrale Wertung zu verstehen.
P**C
Exceptional talent that you've likely never heard of
Yoshiki is one of the best modern classical pianists and orchestral arrangers I have heard in the past few decades. His arrangements drip with emotion and will cause your heart to soar. I recommend this CD to anybody who likes classical style music that contains modern stylings without any of the garbage you hear on the radio today.
Y**A
Wie früher, und trotzdem gut
Die CD ist eine recht ungewöhnliche Zusammenstellung von seinen klassischen Songs. Viele songs seines Nebenprojekts Violet UK anstatt der traditionellen X Japan songs.Besonders vermisse ich "Rose of pain", oder "say anything" dessen klassische versionen sehr schön sind.Des weiteren gibts von mir nur 4 Sterne, weil bis auf "Miracle" und "golden globe theme" alle anderen Songs bereits in den 90ern veröffentlicht wurden.Es gibt aber 4 immerhin deshalb, weil es eine sehr kostengünstige EU Version als CD Release gibt(nicht nur als digital download), und man nur schwer an die früheren Veröffentlichungen (genannt Eternal Melody I und II) heran kommt.
Trustpilot
1 week ago
3 weeks ago
