Fantasies & Delusions

Fantasies & Delusions is the first album of Billy Joel's classical compositions, released in 2001. (see 2001 in music). The pieces were performed by Richard Joo. 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.

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.

1. Opus 3. Reverie ("Villa d'Este") – 9:31
2. Opus 2. Waltz # 1 ("Nunley's Carousel") – 6:58
3. Opus 7. Aria ("Grand Canal") – 11:08
4. Opus 6. Invention in C Minor – 1:04
5. Opus 1. Soliloquy ("On a Separation") – 11:26
6. Opus 8. Suite for Piano ("Star-Crossed"): I. Innamorato – 7:46
7. Opus 8. Suite for Piano ("Star-Crossed"): II. Sorbetto – 1:30
8. Opus 8. Suite for Piano ("Star-Crossed"): III. Delusion – 3:37
9. Opus 5. Waltz # 2 ("Steinway Hall") – 7:00
10. Opus 9. Waltz # 3 ("For Lola") – 3:28
11. Opus 4. Fantasy ("Film Noir") – 8:56
12. 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.

David Myers, a member of the Genesis tribute band Musical Box, did a version of Fantasies & Delusions on the XXI-21 Productions label.

References