Released October 2, 2001 Length 76:17 Artist Billy Joel Label Sony Classical Records | Recorded June 1999 – 2001 Producer Steve Epstein Release date 27 September 2001 Genre Classical music | |
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Fantasies & Delusions
(2001) The Essential Billy Joel
(2001) Similar Billy Joel albums, Other albums | ||
Fantasies & Delusions is the thirteenth and final studio album released by Billy Joel and it is the first (and so far only) album of his classical compositions, released in 2001. It is also (as of 2017) the last album featuring any original material by Joel. The pieces were performed by Richard Joo, who has been a long-time friend of Joel. The album was originally recorded at Cove City Sound Studios, Glen Cove, NY with help from long time production coordinator Bill Zampino and Richie Cannata. The album was re-recorded in Vienna, Austria for final release.
Contents
It was Joel's 19th album to chart on the Billboard 200, reaching #83 in October 2001.
Track listing
All songs composed by Billy Joel.
- Opus 3. Reverie ("Villa d'Este") – 9:31
- Opus 2. Waltz # 1 ("Nunley's Carousel") – 6:58
- Opus 7. Aria ("Grand Canal") – 11:08
- Opus 6. Invention in C Minor – 1:04
- Opus 1. Soliloquy ("On a Separation") – 11:26
- Opus 8. Suite for Piano ("Star-Crossed"): I. Innamorato – 7:46
- Opus 8. Suite for Piano ("Star-Crossed"): II. Sorbetto – 1:30
- Opus 8. Suite for Piano ("Star-Crossed"): III. Delusion – 3:37
- Opus 5. Waltz # 2 ("Steinway Hall") – 7:00
- Opus 9. Waltz # 3 ("For Lola") – 3:28
- Opus 4. Fantasy ("Film Noir") – 8:56
- Opus 10. Air ("Dublinesque") – 3:46
Symphonic Fantasies
In 2003, pianist Jeffrey Biegel approached Joel about a commission for a piano concerto. As an alternative, Joel suggested that Biegel create a piano concerto using pieces from Fantasies and Delusions. Biegel did so, using four of the pieces: "Fantasy (Film Noir)", "Sorbetto", "Reverie (Villa d'Este)", and "Nunley's Carousel Waltz". After Biegel had written the piano part, Nashville composer Philip Keveren composed the orchestral parts. The work, titled "Symphonic Fantasies for Piano and Orchestra", premiered on June 24, 2006 in Greensboro, North Carolina. Biegel was the pianist, accompanied by the Eastern Philharmonic Orchestra led by Stuart Malina.
Songs
1Reverie (Villa D'Este)9:32
2Waltz # 1 (Nunley's Carousel)6:59
3Aria (Grand Canal)11:09