Recorded 30 April – 2 May 1997 Producer John Fraser Label MPL Communications | Length 74:46 Release date 29 September 1997 Genre Classical music | |
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Released 25 September 1997 (US)29 September 1997 (UK) Similar Paul McCartney albums, Classical music albums |
Standing Stone is Paul McCartney's second full-length release of original classical music (coming after 1991's Liverpool Oratorio) and was issued shortly after Flaming Pie's release in 1997. The world premiere performance was held at The Royal Albert Hall on 14 October 1997.
Contents
History
Following up on 1991's Paul McCartney's Liverpool Oratorio, the Standing Stone project was composed out of a long poem McCartney authored and was performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Lawrence Foster at EMI's Abbey Road Studios. Unlike Liverpool Oratorio, this new project is not an operatic performance of a story, but an instrumental one, though it employs the use of a choir.
The cover for the album is actually one of the many photos taken by Linda McCartney during late 1969/early 1970 that would initially be seen on the inside gatefold cover of Paul's first album McCartney. This project was her husband's last release before Linda died of breast cancer on 17 April 1998, having been diagnosed almost three years earlier.
Release
Released on 25 September 1997 in the US, and 29th in the UK, Paul McCartney's Standing Stone topped the classical music charts, and managed a one-week stand at number 194 on the US pop album listings.
Track listing
All pieces by Paul McCartney.
- "Fire/Rain" Allegro energico – 4:30
- "Cell Growth" Semplice – 8:30
- "'Human' Theme" Maestoso – 3:36
- "Meditation" Contemplativo – 3:57
- "Crystal Ship" Con moto scherzando – 2:02
- "Sea Voyage" Pulsating, with cool jazz feel – 3:39
- "Lost at Sea" Sognando – 4:37
- "Release" Allegro con spirito – 1:54
- "Safe Haven/Standing Stone" Pastorale con moto – 4:11
- "Peaceful Moment" Andante tranquillo – 2:09
- "Messenger" Energico – 3:35
- "Lament" Lamentoso – 2:26
- "Trance" Misterioso – 5:32
- "Eclipse" Eroico – 4:57
- "Glory Tales" Trionfale – 2:40
- "Fugal Celebration" L'istesso tempo. Fresco – 4:25
- "Rustic Dance" Rustico – 2:00
- "Love Duet" Andante intimo – 3:43
- "Celebration" Andante – 6:15
Songs
1After Heavy Light Years: Fire/Rain (Allegro energico)London Symphony Orchestra - Lawrence Foster4:29
2Cell Growth (Semplice)London Symphony Orchestra - Lawrence Foster8:31
3'Human' Theme (Maestoso)London Symphony Orchestra - Lawrence Foster3:36