Little Star, The Piano Guys, and Star Wars
The Piano Guys consists of 5 guys from different walks of life who somehow came together to combine music, video, and a appreciation of nature. Individually they are Jon Schmidt (piano), Steven Sharp Nelson (cello), Tel Stewart (videography/editing), Paul Anderson (videography/piano store owner) and Al van der Beek (music producer), combined they are nothing short of spectacular.
Hailing from Utah, The Piano Guys, in addition to their brilliant combination of classic and pop music, have become known through their YouTube channel for presenting striking natural backgrounds fronted by technically and creatively stunning music. The video above, Twinkle Lullaby, features some amazingly beautiful time-lapse astro-photography of Utah’s desert skies taken by Tel Stewart, Paul Anderson, and Shaye Scott as a backdrop to Jon Schmidt, Al van der Beek, and Steven Sharp Nelson’s arrangement of Twinkle Little Star.
‘We love showcasing the beauty of the earth—where people don’t expect to find classical instruments.’ Paul Anderson
All Piano Guys video are shot on location, usually requiring an incredible amount of effort to do so, and most are shot in Utah. The scenery is so breathtakingly beautiful I’m wondering why I am not booking a flight there at this very moment. Please note — I said ‘most’ are shot in Utah. Not all. Some were shot a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….
A lot of effort went into the making of that Star Wars video!
FM
February 26, 2013 at 6:10 pm
I agree FM, and they did an amazing job!
February 27, 2013 at 6:49 am
As I lie dying, I would like very much to see the silhouettes of those musicians against the sky and hear the music! The cello wars pretty fantastic too. I really did enjoy these, Alex!
February 26, 2013 at 6:44 pm
Wow George, that’s a pretty profound statement.
Fortunately, you don’t have to wait to enjoy both the music and the stars!
February 27, 2013 at 7:11 am
February 27, 2013 at 9:38 am
LOL! That made me laugh, but maybe you’re right George, just hopefully not Vanilla Ice….
February 27, 2013 at 9:45 am
If it wasn’t 0252 in the morning I’d hit play – something to look forward to
February 26, 2013 at 6:53 pm
Wow, you’re up late Heather! I hope you find time to check out the videos.
February 27, 2013 at 8:09 am
I’m a Piano Guys fan … In general, I like the cello features the best … and in this case, it holds here too. Good stuff, Alex!
February 26, 2013 at 7:32 pm
Why does it not surprise me that you’re familiar with The Piano Guys, Frank?
February 27, 2013 at 8:10 am
LOL … but I will keep my modesty in check.
February 27, 2013 at 6:44 pm
WOW! They are both totally awesome
I have to say that my favorite is twinkle, twinkle, little star…..love it! You are have such an open soul………teaching us to keep our souls open too!
February 26, 2013 at 9:04 pm
If you get a chance Suzanne, check out their YouTube channel. I spent hours there yesterday just trying to decide which videos to include in this post, and found it difficult to narrow it down to only 2.
February 27, 2013 at 8:18 am
This is so beautiful, the whole concept, the music and the stunning photography. Thank you so much.
February 27, 2013 at 1:12 am
Thanks for checking it out Sally, and I agree! The Piano Guys = beautiful!
February 27, 2013 at 8:29 am
I agree both the visuals and the music are beautiful. There is little chance of my popping over to Utah any time soon, so thanks for giving me a glimpse of it. I love travelling
February 27, 2013 at 5:36 am
I love travel as well, and i have to admit that after watching SEVERAL Piano Guys videos I now know that I HAVE to check out Utah….or else!!
February 27, 2013 at 9:04 am
Utterly Phantasmagorical to the point if it were any more awesome I would internally combust.
February 27, 2013 at 7:28 am
LOL!! No Carl, we would not want that! (Psss…your geekiness is showing. I like it!)
‘Utterly Phantasmagorical’, I’m SO gonna steal that!
February 27, 2013 at 8:55 am
I’m not one to hide my inner geek …lol
February 27, 2013 at 1:53 pm
Nor should you be!
February 27, 2013 at 2:24 pm
I can’t stop playing this. It is so beautiful. Thanks again!
February 27, 2013 at 8:00 am
Very cool Sally! I think you might appreciate this one as well….
I absolutely love it, but thought it a bit too longish to include in the post. The notes included with the video state — All of the sounds you hear were created by cello, piano, and vocal textures. This video was all filmed at outdoor locations located within a 20-mile radius in Southern Utah. No green screens were used in the making of this music video.
February 27, 2013 at 8:44 am
Thank you so much! I went Youtubing and found this one as well.
We saw the film last week and this is such a beautiful interpretation of the song. Thanks again..
February 27, 2013 at 9:16 am
..and another Piano Guys fan is born, I LOVE it! And now I HAVE to see the film!
February 27, 2013 at 9:23 am
Yes you do!
And I’m going to put the Twinkle Twinkle as one of my beautiful things today so even more fans might be born!
February 27, 2013 at 9:29 am
Woohoo! Awesome, I can’t wait to check it out!
February 27, 2013 at 9:34 am
The second video made me laugh and laugh….something about Vadar on accordion tickled my funny bone. The first video – I LOVED the sky backdrop and the waterfalls. Thanks for sharing, Alex!
February 27, 2013 at 8:44 am
Good morning Chica! I’ve watched that video countless times now, and EACH time Vader pulls out that accordion I have to laugh. Awesome stuff!
February 27, 2013 at 9:26 am
Why do I feel like they they made that first video specially for your blog??!:)
Darth Vader is the best part of that video…or maybe the sabers. Either one!:)
February 27, 2013 at 9:48 am
LOL Talitha, it does seem rather perfect, doesn’t it!
And I can’t figure out which is the best part of the Cello Wars video, it’s ALL so good!
February 27, 2013 at 10:03 am
Pingback: Redruth Town Clock, Primroses and The Piano Guys | mybeautfulthings
Great videos again. ThePianoGuys are now on my radar. And even more than ever I NEED a light sabre, never could play the cello but if I had one of them, look out world!
Oh, and the best bit of the cello wars was Darth and his melodeon
February 27, 2013 at 7:00 pm
You NEED a light sabre? LOL! Fair enough.
February 28, 2013 at 9:14 am
Er.. don’t we all
February 28, 2013 at 9:40 am
Possibly, but first you may have to define ‘need’…..
February 28, 2013 at 9:48 am
Well, no way I could stop at the first one…I
I’ve enjoyed the whole concert… the tender sound of the cello in the twinkle twinkle and the anguish in bring him home have really stirred me up… now onto Rachmaninoff et al..
wonderful post, I’ve ricocheted off Sally’s post
February 27, 2013 at 9:56 pm
I’m glad you enjoyed The Piano Guys Valerie, I find them quite addictive myself. And thanks for the visit, it’s MUCH appreciated!!
February 28, 2013 at 9:18 am
I don’t have time to comment. For some reason, I’ve decided to go sign up for cello lessons immediately.
February 28, 2013 at 10:55 am
Hmmm, I wonder why? I also noticed you did NOT leave a lame comment about Chuck Norris….
February 28, 2013 at 11:07 am
Chuck Norris? Those … aren’t the jokes I’m looking for.
February 28, 2013 at 11:11 am
Noooo! I though your comment about wanting to take cello lessons immediately was in reference to the bit at the very end of the Cello Wars video.
February 28, 2013 at 12:04 pm
Yeeeeees! It was!
February 28, 2013 at 12:08 pm
….and these aren’t the droids you’re looking for….
Damn, I’m slow this morning….
February 28, 2013 at 12:17 pm
IV Coffee! Stat!!
February 28, 2013 at 12:19 pm
Oh, if only it were possible…
February 28, 2013 at 12:25 pm
Brilliant! If the bow was really like that all kids would sign up for cello lessons.
February 28, 2013 at 3:56 pm
Kids?! Not only kids, so would I!
March 1, 2013 at 11:38 am
Ha! It’s quite possible I’m stea- borrowing the cello wars video for next friday.
March 2, 2013 at 11:54 pm
…you will post the Cello Wars video….incessantly…
March 3, 2013 at 8:35 am
The Star Wars thing was awesome. I didn’t care about the effects so much, I could do with or without that, but the sound they made….
March 3, 2013 at 1:30 pm
The sound, I think that’s the most important part.
March 3, 2013 at 6:10 pm
Pingback: On a March Monday | A Frank Angle
Pingback: Friday Foolishness – Al Dente Edition | Guapola