Yanni

Yanni
▪ 1995

      For the New Age composer/performer known only as Yanni, 1994 was a very good year. Although from the mid-1980s his nine previous albums had sold some 6 million copies, he became a superstar after March 1994, when Public Broadcasting Service stations repeatedly aired his 90-minute special, "Yanni in Concert: Live at the Acropolis," during national pledge week. The program elicited record-breaking contributions from viewers and became one of the most successful programs ever shown on public television. The television spectacular, which Yanni coproduced, starred the self-taught keyboardist and composer, accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and his own percussive six-piece band in a triumphant performance in his native land, Greece.

      Three days after its commercial release in the U.S., the album Yanni Live at the Acropolis began to climb Billboard magazine's charts; both album and video later went platinum. Public demand for more of Yanni and his romantic, arpeggio-infused instrumental music brought about brisk sales of his earlier releases; his 64 subsequent concerts throughout the U.S. in 1994 were virtually sold out. Plans were made for a world tour.

      Yanni Chryssomallis was born to a middle-class family in Kalamata, Greece, on Nov. 14, 1954. As an adolescent, he was a member of the Greek national swimming team, breaking the national freestyle record at age 14. Yanni went to the U.S. at age 18 to attend the University of Minnesota, from which he graduated in 1976 with a B.A. in psychology. A founding member of the rock band Chameleon, he launched his solo recording career in 1980 with the instrumental album Optimystique. Reflections of Passion (1990) sold 1.8 million copies; both Dare to Dream (1992) and In My Time (1993) were nominated for Grammy awards. Although unable to read music or to notate it, Yanni composed music for films and television. A naturalized U.S. citizen, he lived in California, where he recorded for his Private Music label.

      In performance, Yanni exuded sincerity and almost diffident charm. From time to time, he tossed his mane of shoulder-length black hair and smiled almost shyly, displaying dazzling white teeth beneath an upper lip adorned with a bristling black mustache. Lean and tanned, Yanni had a straightforward, calm glance and a self-contained expression. He usually wore either all white or all black, sometimes favouring a romantic-looking shirt with billowy sleeves. Occasionally while performing, either seated at an acoustic piano or standing at one of several synthesizers, he would close his eyes and shake his head slightly, as if basking in the musical energy and love being exchanged between him and his audience. When Yanni spoke briefly to his audience in fluent, lightly-accented English, he shared his thoughts on creativity and his belief in the oneness of all people. (NAOMI BERNARDS POLONSKY)

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Yanni — (2007) Chartplatzierungen (vorläufig) Vorlage:Infobox Chartplatzierungen/Wartung/vorläufige Chartplatzierung Erklärung der Daten Alben …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Yanni — Yanni, de son vrai nom Yannis Hrysomallis (grec : Γιάννης Χρυσομάλληςà) prononcé Chrysomallis, né le 14 novembre 1954 à Kalamata en Grèce, est un compositeur, pianiste, claviériste grec autodidacte, de style New Age. Yanni a quitté …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Yanni — Дата рождения 14 ноября 1954 Место рождения Каламата Страна …   Википедия

  • Yanni — Chrysomallis es un músico griego nacido en Kalamata el 19 de noviembre de 1954. De niño ya dominaba el piano, aunque no tomó lecciones para ese instrumento. En su tiempo libre tocaba canciones del momento. Vivió en su patria natal hasta los 14… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Yanni — Este artículo o sección necesita referencias que aparezcan en una publicación acreditada, como revistas especializadas, monografías, prensa diaria o páginas de Internet fidedignas. Puedes añadirlas así o avisar al autor princip …   Wikipedia Español

  • Yanni — ] As of October 2007, it has been announced that Yanni and producer Ric Wake are working together in the studio producing new music and collaborating with prodigy singer/songwriters to put them in the most creative environment possible to reach… …   Wikipedia

  • Yanni Live at the Acropolis — Infobox Album Name = Yanni Live at the Acropolis Type = Live album Longtype = and concert film Artist = Yanni Background = lightsteelblue Released = March 1 1994 Genre = Contemporary instrumental Soft adult contemporary Length = 69:16 Label =… …   Wikipedia

  • Yanni Live! The Concert Event — Infobox Album Name = Yanni Live! The Concert Event Type = Live album Longtype = Concert film Artist = Yanni Background = lightsteelblue Released = August, 2006 Genre = Contemporary instrumental Easy listening Soft adult contemporary | Length = 65 …   Wikipedia

  • Yanni Live at Royal Albert Hall — Infobox music DVD Name = Yanni Live at Royal Albert Hall Type = Live music video Artist = Yanni Background = lightsteelblue Released = 1995 Genre = Contemporary instrumental Soft adult contemporary Length = 53:00 Label = Private Music Producer =… …   Wikipedia

  • Yanni One on One — Infobox music DVD Name = Yanni One on One Type = Live video Artist = Yanni Background = lightsteelblue Released = Genre = Length = 57:00 Label = Producer = Yanni Reviews = Last DVD = Yanni Live at Royal Albert Hall (1995) This DVD = Yanni One on… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”