After hearing Yanni's exuberant, high-spirited performance Tuesday, it was easy to understand why a young man recently wrote to him: "Now that I've heard your records, you have saved my life."
When I first read about this letter to Yanni from a lonely kid who had no friends and considered suicide, I thought it was a bit dramatic. How could music turn a life around so completely?I was also suspicious of Yanni. Could he really be as sensitive, sincere, talented (and "strikingly handsome") as his press in celebrity magazines promised?
Well, if I was fooled, I wasn't alone. The sold-out capacity crowd at Kingsbury Hall adored him - and his dynamic band. Standing ovations broke out following several songs during the concert. And at the concert's conclusion, Yanni performed three additional songs in response to excited and persistent applause.
Yanni described his music to his audience as a "celebration of life." And what a celebration it was!
Yanni and his 10-piece group played from his six albums - including his latest release "Reflections of Passion" - which continues to hold the unprecedented achievement as the No. 1 position on Billboard's chart for the past year.
For nearly 21/2 continuous hours, Yanni displayed his talents as a composer, musician, engaging showman - and philosopher.
"We should not let our troubles rob us from our lives," Yanni advised the crowd. "Live each day to the fullest and open up . . . to all the great stuff in life."
He also shared some of the emotions behind his songs. Returning to his homeland, Greece, after 13 years living away; images of the ocean; memories of time spent with loved ones inspired him to compose.
While his rapport with the audience was immediate as he talked about his passion for life, he didn't spend too much time with words - he let his music communicate his unabashed sensitivity.
The sheer variety of the program proved his music can't be confined simply to the "New Age" genre (a label he shuns). The emotionally charged orchestrations reflect classical yet contemporary sounds. A unique blend of acoustic and electronic sounds produced an energetic - occasionally surreal - effect. His unique style is a synthesized mix of classical, pop, jazz and soft rock.
Pieces ranged from a simple, whimsical string quartet with Yanni at the piano to the riveting "Marching Season" featuring Yanni's drummer/friend Charlie Adams and violinist Charlie Bisharat.
Varying the combination of instruments featured - violins, drums, percussion, cello and keyboard - kept up the pace of the concert. Artistic spot lights and a multilevel stage enhanced the professionalism of the performance.
Yanni wisely showcased the obvious talents of his hand-chosen band members. Graciously, he thanked them for creating the music he had visualized in his dreams.
Yanni is a master of electronic Romanticism. His works - whether they are fast and robust or mellow and smooth - reveal his romantic disposition.
The sweeping, dynamic compositions and the more introspective pieces (such as "In the Mirror") all reflect the artist's philosophy of indulging thoroughly in the "pain and pleasure of life."
Responding to the audience's applause, Yanni promised he would return soon to Utah. Judging from his Salt Lake appearance, Yanni's popularity as the most successful "New Age" artist will only gain more momentum in the coming year.