Rachel Portman : Beyond The Screen – Film Works on Piano

Beyond the Screen: Film Works On Piano’ is an album by Oscar-winning composer Rachel Portman OBE comprising some of her most cherished film music for solo piano. She refers to the piano as her best friend, adding ‘I spend all day with it, most days. I think probably I’m pianistic in my soul’. Hence, piano miniatures are a natural second life for her highly melodic scores. The album comprises various solo piano arrangements based on her well-known soundtracks such as ‘Chocolat’, ‘The Cider House Rules’ and ‘The Dutchess’. Portman was very selective, however, about which pieces would translate best without an orchestra: ‘I wanted them to be pieces that work in their own way, that are satisfying’. ‘Beyond the Screen’ was recorded in Berlin, with occasional accompaniment by cellist Raphaela Gromes and consists of 20 curated pieces that span Portman’s illustrious career, arranged to form an emotional and musical journey. It was also important to Port