Popular Performer -- Film Classics: The Best Songs from Timeless Motion Pictures (Popular Performer Series)

Mark Hayes is known for his beautiful and challenging arrangments of sacred and worship music, so this book of songs from movies is out of his comfort zone, I would imagine. But he has done a BEAUTIFUL job! I wish there were more like this!!Most of the songs in this books are ones that a lifetime pianist likely has dozens of arrangements of--The Rose, Evergreen, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, etc. But I guarantee these arrangements are the best you'll ever find. They are just challenging enough that you'd likely have to run through them a time or two before performing in public, but the runs and chords are comfortably written to just fall right under your fingers.My favorite in this book has to be Somewhere Over the Rainbow. It starts with the not-often-heard verse/introduction before just magnificently transitioning into the more familiar part. It builds to a thrilling, rich, full final chorus that is very satisfying both to play and to hear. Just wonderful. I'm planning on playing both it and the arrangement of Evergreen for an upcoming casual wedding and think they will be well received.The Rainbow Connection also is really nice, as is the arrangment of Laura. The Rose? Ehhhh....good arrangement of a bad song that everyone is tired of hearing. But at least Hayes makes it bearable to play if the mood strikes you.Nice collection, great addition to the advanced pianist's library.Added May 2013: The more I play this book, the more I love it. Even "The Rose" is starting to grow on me. Everything is just "the best" arrangement of each song that you'll ever find. Bravo, Mark Hayes :) Please do another!

Mark Hayes arrangements are the best. Every song sounds professional. I have multiple arrangements of these songs and these are my favorite. I hope Mark Hayes produces more secular arrangements. I own most of his vocal solos and sacred books. I enjoy putting in the effort required to master his arrangements which are challenging but doable.

Several above average arrangements of some popular film songs from prior to 2011 when the book was published. In general these are well arranged and at the late intermediate level, not for beginners. Some of the arrangements have been performed on YouTube so you can get a feel for them. In general less “flowery” then Kyle Landry or some of Dan Coates arrangements.

I love Mark Hayes' music and all his piano books. This one is really fun and the arrangements are the typical fantastic Mark Hayes. The level is intermediate and fairly easy to play. Can't wait for more music from Mark Hayes - just fantastic - that's all I want to play and sing!

I love this book of Mark Hayes most of the songs are familiar and I can play every song over and over again.

Selection is good, arrangements are challenging and sounds heavenly when conquered. Wish he would make another songbook of American Standards.

These are great arrangements and are so much fun to play! As late intermediate to advanced level compositions, they are well worth the extra effort to learn to play. This is my go-to book for an having an enjoyable time at my piano.

Hayes loves A major ... I had rather play five flats:). Nice selection from "And All That Jazz" to "The Rainbow Connection". Lots of arpeggiation and sixteenths but also some easy sight-reading pieces. Really enjoying the book.

Sehr schön gesetzte Noten 🎵Das Spielen macht mir viel Spaß 👍😎

No lyrics included, arrangements were so so.

Ich mag die Serie "Popular performer" sehr. Allerdings steckt in jedem Band was anderes drin (logisch), sie sind alle sehr unterschiedlich gesetzt. Von dieser Ausgabe war ich wieder positiv überrascht.Das steckt drin: klasische und bekannte Filmmusik, (die ich persönlich aber nicht direkt mit einem Film verbinde wie es bei James Bond oder Pink Panther z.B. der Fall wäre).Manche Stücke findet man selten in Notensammlungen, andere häufiger; das Stück aus der Muppet Show habe ich auf Klavier noch nie gehört, ich kann es sehr empfehlen, (noch mehr nachdem ich mich mal durch ytube geklickt habe); vor allem gegen Ende...zum Dahinschmelzen.... "the Rose" ist schon so abgenudelt, dass ich schon fast nicht mehr hinhören kann, aber selbst da ist Hayes eine Version gelungen, die sich vom Bekannten abhebt und die ich sehr mag.Auch hier: nix für Anfänger. Das meiste klingt nur richtig gut, wenn man es richtig gut spielen kann. Stellenweise sind die verschiedenen Stimmen nicht ganz deutlich notiert/getrennt, da brauchts Erfahrung oder Hilfe.Schnelle Läufe und Arpeggios sollte man mögen und spielen können (oder man lernt sie hier lieben), ein gutes Rhythmusgefühl ist sehr hilfreich.Das steckt drin:Raindrops keep fallin' on my headAnd all that jazzThe roseSomewhere over the rainbowArthurs ThemeA whole new worldLauraEvergreenThe days of wine and roses ( gefällt mir von Springer in pop. Perf. 1960s besser)Rainbow connection