Standing Stone (album)

Standing Stone is Paul McCartney's second full-length release of original classical music 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.

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. Incidentally, 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.

Released in September 1997, Paul McCartney's Standing Stone - which was well-received - reached #1 on the classical charts, and managed a one week stand at #194 on the US pop album listings.

Track listing

All pieces by Paul McCartney.

Movement I - After heavy light years

1. "Fire/Rain" Allegro energico – 4:30
2. "Cell Growth" Semplice – 8:30
3. "'Human' Theme" Maestoso – 3:36

Movement II - He awoke startled

1. "Meditation" Contemplativo – 3:57
2. "Crystal Ship" Con moto scherzando – 2:02
3. "Sea Voyage" Pulsating, with cool jazz feel – 3:39
4. "Lost At Sea" Sognando – 4:37
5. "Release" Allegro con spirito – 1:54

Movement III - Subtle colours merged soft contours

1. "Safe Haven/Standing Stone" Pastorale con moto – 4:11
2. "Peaceful moment" Andante tranquillo – 2:09
3. "Messenger" Energico – 3:35
4. "Lament" Lamentoso – 2:26
5. "Trance" Misterioso – 5:32
6. "Eclipse" Eroico – 4:57

Movement IV - Strings pluck, horns blow, drums beat

1. "Glory Tales" Trionfale – 2:40
2. "Fugal Celebration" L'istesso tempo. Fresco – 4:25
3. "Rustic Dance" Rustico – 2:00
4. "Love Duet" Andante intimo – 3:43
5. "Celebration" Andante – 6:15

References