After the success of Suzanne Ciani's first acoustic piano album 'Pianissimo,' it's no surprise that she would venture into the world of hammers and strings again. Nor is it any surprise that her second album is just as pleasurable as the first. Ostensible created out of previous electronic pieces dating as far back as 1983 (The Velocity of Love) most of the work comes from the 1990's - as late as 1996 Princess, Etude, and Timeless). This gives the listener an opportunity to see how the acoustic side of this musician has matured, and how it has affected her overall work.

Frankly, I like Ciani better as an acoustic performer. The underlying percussive nature of the natural piano lends her a definition that is sometimes lacking in her electronic work. As much as people might argue with me, I believe that control is more of an issue with electronic composition and performance than it is with an acoustic instrument. The latter is beautiful 'in spite' of its limitations, the former can hypnotize the artist with its textures, diluting the melodic content. Compare, for instance, the original Velocity of Love with the version presented here. While the two versions are both pianistic, the original is a bit more diffuse even thought it is more orchestrated. Both are beautiful though.

Ciani has a native melodic skill that produced consistently affecting work. As I've mentioned before, her music is more intimate and less bravura than other, equally good pianists. Not that she isn't capable of moments of dazzling performance (Andalusian Dream), but her niche is really the song, and not the singer (Go Gently, and Bel Canto). I've been listening to this album for several weeks now, postponing reviewing it to listen 'one more time,' and it refuses to get tiresome.

I never did manage to get the included multimedia track to work on either my Mac or my PC's, which is probably my fault. But as I've said, it isn't why I bought the album. I bought it for the music, and there is plenty of that.

I love Suzanne Ciani's music. Her compositions are wonderful. Saddly her piano playing does not do them justice. I have listened to this album many, many times, thinking that I was being to harsh in my judgment, but I always arrive at the same conclusion. Suzanne bangs the keys. Sometimes she bangs them softly. Mostly she bangs them loudly. She plays the correct notes at the correct time, but there is no art. All of the finer points of playing are missing. I much prefer "Dream Suite", "Turning" and "Suzannne Live" in which she can bang to her heart's content, since most of the melody is carried by other instruments. Maybe someday a gifted piano player will do these compositions justice.

Suzanne Ciani has one foot in heaven. She's my favorite 20th century musician. Her music evokes romance, sweetness, eroticism, heaven, serenity; you name it; her music evokes it. Genius!

I first heard about Suzanne Ciani from the Romantic Piano website (members.xoom.com/sims_music/piano/). I fell in love with her melodies. The difference that seperates her from other "New Age" composers such as Jim Brickman and Yanni, is that the form in her music is very tight. Her music does not sound like improvisations at all. One could walk away from one of her concerts and remember each song, while this is hard at other concerts where all the music sounds the same. Bravo to Ciani for giving us an escape from all the other terrible piano music out there.

Suzanne Ciani's music have always set the mood for any occasion. This album is no exception. In Pianissimo II, Suzanne performs her favorite songs on a concert grand piano at George Lucas's Skywalker Studio. She also has three new songs on this album too.

The recording quality is superb along with Suzanne's liner notes on each song. Each song is very moving and if you really concentrate on each song, imagery comes into play.

For example, I listened to my favorite song "Timeless" located on Track 15. It made me think about looking at a photo album and watching my mom grow older (and wiser) through time. I sure that other listeners who bought this album with have many images that will blend with her songs.

Another neat addition to this album is the Computer Multimedia Enhancement track. Put this album in a Macintosh or Windows based PC and let Suzanne show you how the album was produced and meet her staff who helped made it possible. There are some other surprises too.

All in all, it's a great recording. Highly recommended.

Larry Klug - Cincinnati, OH