Sailing to the World Piano Score (MSPS-0004)
 

Finally, another piano arrangement album by Hamauzu!

Catalogue No. - MSPS-0004
Publisher: Procyon Studio Co., Ltd.
Music Composed by: Yasunori Mitsuda
Piano Arrangement: Masashi Hamauzu
Performance: Naoko Endo

Tracklist:

1. The Door
2. Sailing to the World
3. Melody of Aqua
4. Rhythm of Red
5. Path to Enlightenment
6. Confrontation
7. Merry-go-Round
8. Point of No Return
9. Hope
10. Reincarnation

On first listen, this album is gorgeous. Each arrangement perfectly demonstrates how well Hamauzu can make a piano arrangement. His style is clearly shown with each track. However, I would've loved to hear more than just slow pretty arrangements. I wanted to hear some more aggression and some bounciness. There wasn't much variety in terms of musical styles, and that kind of shorted my experience. But that is not to say that this album isn't good, because it is. Each arrangement is nicely written, and have been given more creativity and have expanded upon the original work. I rate this a 5/5.

I agree with you, Josh. This album was put together very nicely. Hamauzu did a great job on the arrrangement. Naoko Endo, who I've never heard of before this album, was steller in his(?) performance. I still hold the Arc the Lad Piano Album as my favorite piano album ever, but overall, Sailing to the World Piano Score is right up there. It's solid, through and though. I'm very glad I purchased it. I wish I knew how to play piano so I could make use of the book though. :\

5/5

Her. :)

Ah, thank you. :D

Naoko Endo performed nicely in the SaGa Frontier II Piano album, and this is certainly at that same quality of playing. Absolutely outstanding. My fav tracks so far are The Door, Sailing to the World, Rhythm of Red, and Reincarnation. I love all of them, but those four stood out to me the most. I really hope to see more Hamauzu arranged albums in the future :D! I think that he is long overdue for another album like Coi Vanni Gialli, imo. I would love to see a full symphonic arrange album for SaGa Frontier II, but that won't be likely.

This album is just incredibly beautiful. From the melodies to the soft virtuosisms, this is a product that sparks entirely of sheer magnificence.

I've come to appreciate Hamauzu's geniality especially in the brilliance he demonstrates when manipulating Piano works. And this CD is obviously no exception.
While being adherent enough to the source material, it manages to stray from it in a very intense manner.

A listen I'd recommend to every Piano, VGM and Hamauzu/Mitsuda enthusiast, wholeheartedly.

Can you provide some scans for those who can play the piano? ;)

I agree, this album is indeed beautiful. I can't see it being a disappointment to a fan of the works of Hamauzu or piano music in general. I'd also greatly reccomend it.
It's definitely a nice variation of the Sailing to the World album too. While it remains unique, the tracks don't stray too far from the original melodies.

I was hoping to hear some bouncier tunes myself. It'd be nice to hear a little more variety. Melody-Go-Round would sound great with a little more energy. That's not to say that the version included was bad, though.

Great stuff though.

Confrontation started out energetic, but then it got quiet. I thought that it should've been more aggressive all the way through, but it is still a nice arrangement. I would've loved to see a more bouncy and upbeat Rhythm of Red. I loved the original a lot, and I wished that its arrangement would've be written in a similar style. However, the slow take on the piece makes it more creative and unexpected :).

Wow, I love Yasunori Mitsuda and Masashi Hamauzu. I can't believe I've never heard of this. I'm buying this as soon as I can!

I love "Melody of Aqua" on here...the piano playing that main melody is too beautiful ;P

What!? It came out already!? Where could I get this? =O

D: screwy gff

Anyway, #gamemp3s released it a few weeks ago. If torrents aren't convenient, you could go idle in the IRC channel and get some FTP information.
It's also hosted at both Kairyu's FTP v2.1 and Yummyfishman's Second Attempt at an FTP.

Also, I listened to the album again a few nights ago. Great stuff, undoubtedly.

Wow, really beautiful album here. I'd have to say the arrangements to the two vocal songs, Sailing to the World and Reincarnation, are the best. They have the strongest melody line and tend not to meander along as much as the others(although the way they meander is good).

So.... anyone wanna be a saint and post scans? :)

I'm picturing myself playing these pieces, and I'm not sure when I would play them. The environment is so soft... I don't think it would be a good idea to perform such music in front of a public. They would fall asleep as I play it.

But just for myself I think it would be very fine music for some inner meditation, peace. Just to play for myself. But I don't know, it has some depressive feeling to it... Of course when you want to express depression to a public, it would be just the right music to do so.

As for the scans, I would transcribe it, but I think I'm going to wait first. Maybe some scans will show up.

I own this album, and I guess I could possibly scan parts of the score if anyone is interested.

Just name a piece and I'll try to get it up to imageshack or something like that.

I'd like to play The Door but if it's possible, could scan all of them? It would be a great contribution. *nods*

OK.

Here's the links to The Door, which I hope, work:

Page 1: http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/1797/01p17hx.jpg
Page 2: http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/8307/01p29wv.jpg
Page 3: http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/2187/01p39ex.jpg
Page 4: http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/3669/01p40jk.jpg

I'm afraid I won't be scanning them all, though, as I wouldn't want to slap the copyright owners too bad in the face. :p

Someone else got a wish? I can do another one when I have time.

Woot! Thanks so much! And no problem, if you can provide a few then it's all good =)

Sailing to the World? Please?

It would be cool if you could post Melody of Aqua ;)

*bump*?

I'll try and scan and up one of them. Maybe Melody of Aqua, since it's better, heh.

As soon as I find time (read: bother to lift my ass).

Double Post:
...Like right about now.

Melody of Aqua:

Page 1: http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/7120/03p13kn.jpg
Page 2: http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/1008/03p28ut.jpg
Page 3: http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5409/03p36lo.jpg
Page 4: http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/6999/03p48zc.jpg

Break a leg. :p

Whoa, nice one Kishin
Moar, More!! XD that is if you dun mind!

Just a question, does the CD come with the entire piano book?

Yes, the piano cd comes as a bonus with the notebook.

Kishin, can I just request on of my favourite songs on this album?
Rhythm of Red - Track #4

I really want to learn this song :)