Looking for a certain sound
 

I can't get away from Claire de Lune. I'm sure many of you were as captivated as I am. I'm looking for songs that are similar- solo piano, soothing, minimal, beautiful, paced slow or average.

Is there anything that can compare? Thank you for your suggestions.

If anybody else is interested, Trois Gymnopedies (Erik Satie) has the same light, dream-like quality of Claire de Lune. Naturally it doesn't compare. It has helped satiate my desire for more, though!

Actually if you aren't period-specific, then I would pick up a copy of Michael Nyman's score for The Piano. I think it's one of the best modern-day classical-styled CDs I ever purchased.

Les Jeux D'eau A La Villa D'Este by Franz Liszt

Absolutely agree classylady. This wonderful album went to mind when I read the OP. The central recurring theme is a beautiful melody that has a relaxing but contemplative theme. If ever a perfect piece was written for a film Nyman came up trumps.

Love your contribution:cool:.

Thanks 4ZZZ. Last night this thread was on my mind and I listened to some CDs looking for other pieces that can fit for the thread's description and I came up with a few more:

Alexander Scriabin: Valse Op. 38
Franz Liszt: Consolation No. 3 in D Flat Minor
Felix Mendelssohn: Song without Words Op. 19, No. 1

Would any of these strike anyone fancy?

Recently I have been fascinated by Yann Tiersen (Or more famously known for his work for the soundtrack of Amélie)... Quite minimalist, no large orchestral type songs, and not too fast paced. Some of the tracks are but a fair few are soothing rather than forceful even if they are slightly faster.

I am binging on Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain, which is the soundtrack to what the English world received as Amélie, as well as another album called Le Phare. Both have quite a bit of solo piano work inside. I highly recommend to everyone reading this thread.

I love majority of Mendelssohn's work classy, however I cannot remember Songs without Words Op. 19, No. 1.
Who performed it on your CD?

Again, Yann Tiersen, quality stuff so far :)

EDIT - However, it does have quite a bit of French folk influence, easily identifiable by the use of use of traditional French and European instruments, such as the accordian for various songs.

allmusic compare his style to Chopin, Satie Glass and Nyman. You have got me interested.

I would add Chopin to this list too. Piano Sonata no. 2 is very calming.

As far as Yann Tiersen, I have to agree that I thought his work on the Amelie Soundtrack fit like a glove. It was most evident in the scene where Amelie is watching TV and learns of Princess Diana's Death. She drops a perfume bottle where it rolls towards the bathroom wall. In the midst of it's short journey, the bottle loosens a bathroom tile. When she picks up the bottle, she takes the tile out and sees the small metal box from the previous tenant. From there the music changes in structure from just an accordion and violin to include the xylophone, piano, and even a harpsichord in key moments (like the part where Amelie so embarrassed that turns into a huge puddle of water)...

Oh yeah, in the midst of that I wanted to point out that I think Yann Tiersen is a modern-day musical genius who seriously doesn't get the credit he deserves: At least on this side of the "pond."