Yanni.
 

I just wanted to start a thread about him and what people think of his music. I"m not particularly a big fan of his, especially since he refuses to learn standard music notation and theory, but i must admit that he does have a basic musical "sense", and all of his pieces have musical value. To top that off, his live works often feature some pretty crazy instrumental solos (more than just one per work), which is pretty rare these days.

Also, is it right to classify his music as New Age? From what I understand, even Yanni himself devotes an entire chapter in his biography for the purpose of disassociating himself with the genre, and classifies his music as "contermporary instrumental". As a musician myself and having listened to his work, I think he has a better grasp of where he stands as opposed to what others say. There's also moral criticisms of his music being evil (partly because of the New Age classification), which I think is a bit ridiculous. I'm a Christian yet from an objective musical standpoint I see nothing wrong with his music. He's just a guy who plays piano and writes music because that's what he wants to do. -shrug-

Moved to Media Centre.

I adore the guy, because of the "musical sense" that you're talking about. Composing is the easy part, he arranges for the whole orchestra, that's what amazing. From my personal point of view, I don't think we need crazy ass skill to be good musician or to make good music, especially composing. His piano solo works require no professional piano skill to play, yet those melodies still linger in my head for how long I don't know. They can talk. THat's what I love about him. Yes, his music is somewhat simple but he creates it from his heart and it easily come to others. I appreciate him so much more than the likes of Richard Clayderman who has skill but plays other people's music for a living.

By the way.
If you don't mind I would like to know the source of this statement. I haven't read his bio yet so ....

I've forgotten the very first time I read about it, but he uses his own shorthand and has other people orchestrate his music for him.

I just did a search and lots of short web bios say the same thing. http://yanni.specialweb.com/info/bio.html

i wouldn't doubt that the wikipedia article on him would also say likewise.