Yanni is a self-taught pianist who began his musical interest by giving recitals for family members, though he had no formal training and could not read a note. At the age of 18, he attended the University of Minnesota, having moved out of his native Greek to immerse himself into American culture. While a student there, Yanni joined an up-and-coming local group called Chameleon where he met drummer Charlie Adams. Chameleon earned some modest commercial success touring throughout the Midwest. After receiving a B.A. in psychology, Yanni determined that sought a life in music, making it his life's work.
He moved to California in pursuit of opportunities to work on movie soundtrack works. His first solo album, titled 'Optimystique', was recorded in 1980, and it showed his debt to instrumental electronic music of the past as well as other styles such as jazz, smooth pop, and the like. The album saw a general release in 1984. In 1987, he put together a small band which included John Tesh and Charlie Adams, and began touring to promote his earliest works. Other examples of his albums in his early days include 1986's 'Keys to Imagination' and 1987's 'Out of Silence', both of which have recieved retrospective critical acclaim.
The tail end of the 80s saw Yanni's career start to kick into high gear, a result of his determination in promoting his iconic sound. In 1992, Dare to Dream was released. It was Yanni’s first Grammy-nominated album and featured "Aria", a song based on The Flower Duet and popularized by an award-winning British Airways commercial. A second Grammy-nominated album, In My Time, was released in 1993. His music has been used extensively in television and televised sporting events, including the Super Bowl, Wide World of Sports, Tour de France, World Figure Skating Championships, The Olympics, and ABC News.
Yanni's breakthrough commercial success came with the release of his album and video, Yanni Live at the Acropolis, filmed on September 23, 1993 at the 2,000-year-old Herod Atticus Theater in Athens and released in 1994. This was Yanni’s first live album and utilized a full orchestra under the supervision of the Iranian conductor, Shahrdad Rohani, in addition to his core band. Subsequently, the concert was broadcast in 65 countries and seen by half a billion people. It has almost continuously remained on the charts since its release and is the second best-selling music video of all time, selling more than 7 million copies worldwide. A composition from this album, "Acroyali/Standing in Motion", was determined to have the "Mozart Effect," by the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine because it is similar to Mozart's K 448 in tempo, structure, melodic and harmonic consonance and predictability.
In March 1997, Yanni became one of the few Western artists permitted to perform and record at the Taj Mahal in India. Later that year he performed at the Forbidden City in China. From these two events he created his next live album and video, Tribute, which was released in 1997. Armen Anassian, Conductor, concedes that he had some doubts about the artist's plans to perform at India's Taj Mahal and China's Forbidden City for Tribute: "To be honest, a few years ago when he was talking about it, the idea was so amazing. I myself was very skeptical, understandably so. But the truth is, it happened. We did it." Anassian describes Yanni as "very optimistic" and has observed that "nothing really fazes him." That outlook carries over naturally to his music. "I don't think it's a goal, per se. He's very honest with his own feelings. His music really comes from the heart. He writes music with ease, the music comes out with relative ease. The feel-good portion of the music is a by-product. It coincides with what the people love to hear." Lighting Designers Lee Rose and David "Gurn" Kaniski received an Emmy nomination for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Drama Series, Variety Series, Miniseries or a Special" for both Live at the Acropolis and Tribute .
In 2000, after a two-year sabbatical, Yanni released his first studio album in seven years: If I Could Tell You.
Yanni also toured in 2003–2004 with the debut of the Ethnicity album extending his "One World, One People" philosophy. This album sparked what would become the 4th largest concert tour of the year ranked by Billboard Magazine.
He kicked off his 2004–2005 "Yanni Live!" tour at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada, and his next live album and video, Yanni Live! The Concert Event was released in 2006.
In 2008, in collaboration with producer Ric Wake, Yanni showcased vocal artists singing his songs on Yanni Voices. On March 24, 2009, Disney Pearl Imprint released Yanni Voices, the artist's first studio album in six years, and its Buena Vista Concerts division produces the tour that began in April 2009.
Website: http://www.yanni.com/
Until the Last Moment
Yanni Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
As these are instrumental lyrics, there are no specific words to interpret. However, the emotion evoked from the melody and composition itself can convey a story or message. "Until the Last Moment" is a hauntingly beautiful piece that expresses a sense of longing, loss and the bittersweet beauty of life. The gradual building of the music creates a sensation of intense emotion and creates tension, which bursts into a release at the end.
The piano and strings work together, creating an ethereal and dreamlike effect. The highs and lows of the music mirror the complexities of human life, and the way in which the music swells and then retreats is reminiscent of the fleeting moments we experience in life. The song is a call to embrace life's precious moments and to cherish them until the end, just as the title suggests.
Overall, "Until the Last Moment" is a piece of music that speaks to the human experience, making us question the very essence of our existence and the fragility of it all.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
James Lawrence
Beautiful music
Emmanuel Burque
Absolute masterpiece...Brings me back to my youth when I was too young to truly understand the magnificent beauty of such a delicate piece of melodic thunder...And brought tears to my eyes as it was one of the favorite songs of my mother who is now gone in heaven. 🙏
David White
I told my wife that the day my daughter gets married, I want this to be the song that is played for me and her to dance to as I give her away to her husband. This music has had an impact on me since I first heard it in 1993 and I can't think of any better music to describe how I will feel as a father giving my daughter away to a man who loves her as much as I do.
Burhanuddin Merchant
The part from 1:16 onwards invokes unspeakable emotions ❤️🥺🤌. An absolute masterpiece by Yanni.
Larissa Valassi
I do really appreciate your songs, Yanni!! You are one of the best composers of the world!! Thank God for your existence!! Congratulations!!🙏🌟
aya zoghbor
This song takes me to a world of imagination and comfort🖤❤🎹😍🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹
Deanna Rounds
I have always said this song makes my heart sing.
Bryant Pierce
This is hard for me to listen to....my mother introduced me to Yanni. She would become so influenced by the beauty of his music, I'll never forget seeing her hearing this...she passed away in 2008 and every year on mother's day i listen to the live at the Acropolis songs because it was such a beautiful time for me growing up. her passion still flows through me every day...and ill never forget her love for this. I've since then taken up piano and happily to say I have quite a touch for it...I hope I make her proud. R.I.P. to one of the greatest, Kathleen Susan Pierce.
محمد عبدالحي
💔
Shane Beaudrot
That's a beautiful tribute to your mother. She is already honored that you are a loving, compassionate son and you know she would be so proud of your efforts in piano, she'd put you right there at the top of her list with Yanni.