Hits Volume 1 (sometimes referred to as YouTube Hits Vol. 1) is the debut studio album by American musical group the Piano Guys. It was self-released in December 2011 as a means to distribute high-quality audio recordings of their most popular YouTube videos at the time. Many of the songs have since been re-released on The Piano Guys and The Piano Guys 2.

Hits Volume 1
Studio album by
ReleasedDecember 1, 2011 (2011-12-01)
Recorded2011; Draper, Utah (TPG Studios); Sandy, Utah (Big Idea Studios)[1]
GenreClassical crossover
Length45:44
LabelSelf-released
ProducerAl van der Beek, Steven Sharp Nelson, Jon Schmidt[1]
The Piano Guys chronology
Hits Volume 1
(2011)
The Piano Guys
(2012)

The final two tracks are listed as only available on the Limited Founder's Edition, but following the Piano Guys' record deal with Sony Masterworks, no other version of the album was released.

Track listing

edit
No.TitleWriter(s)Arranger(s)Length
1."Michael Meets Mozart"Jon Schmidt, Steven Sharp Nelson 5:18
2."Moonlight" ([A])Nelson 3:28
3."Without You"Taio Cruz, David Guetta, Frederic Riesterer, Rico Love, Raymond Usher, Giorgo Tuinfortvan der Beek, Schmidt, Nelson3:39
4."The Cello Song" ([B])Nelson 3:18
5."Rolling in the Deep" ([C])Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, Paul EpworthNelson, Schmidt, van der Beek3:54
6."Cello Wars" (Radio Edit)John Williams[D]van der Beek, Nelson3:11
7."O Fortuna" (from Carmina Burana)Carl OrffNelson, Schmidt, van der Beek3:22
8."Bring Him Home" (from Les Misérables)Claude-Michel SchönbergSchmidt, Nelson4:17
9."Charlie Brown Medley" (Linus & Lucy/Track Meet)Vince GuaraldiSchmidt, Nelson3:03
10."Rock Meets Rachmaninoff"Schmidt 3:21
11."All of Me"Schmidt 3:04
Limited Founder's Edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Arranger(s)Length
12."More Than Words" (Instrumental Version[E])Nuno Bettencourt, Gary CheroneNelson, Schmidt, van der Beek3:58
13."Twinkle Lullaby"TraditionalSchmidt, Nelson1:51
Total length:45:44
Notes[1]
  1. ^ Inspired by/based upon Ludwig van Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata & the melody from his Symphony No. 7, Op. 92 2nd movement (Allegretto)
  2. ^ Inspired by/based upon Johann Sebastian Bach's Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1 Prelude in G
  3. ^ Includes melody from Gustav Holst's "Jupiter" from The Planets Suite
  4. ^ Based upon original pieces/film score by John Williams: Imperial March, The Duel of the Fates, May the Force Be With You, Cantina Band, Star Wars (Main Theme)
  5. ^ Includes melody from J.S. Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

Personnel

edit

Per liner notes[1]

The Piano Guys
  • Steven Sharp Nelson – Cello Guy
  • Jon Schmidt – Piano Guy
  • Al van der Beek – Music Guy
  • Paul Anderson – "The" Guy
  • Tel Stewart – Video Guy
  • Shaye Scott – Video Guy
Additional musicians
  • Julie Nelson, Catherine Bohman, Alyssa Powers, Amy Talbot – Choir on "O Fortuna"

Charts

edit

Weekly charts

edit
Chart (2012) Peak
position
US Billboard Classical Albums[2] 7
US Billboard New Age Albums[2] 1

Year-end charts

edit
Chart (2012) Position
US Billboard Classical Albums[2] 30
US Billboard New Age Albums[2] 7

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d Hits Volume 1 (CD liner notes). The Piano Guys. Self-released. 2011.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. ^ a b c d "Billboard Chart history for The Piano Guys". Billboard. Retrieved 27 May 2013.