Fantasies & Delusions

Fantasies & Delusions
Studio album by Billy Joel
Released	October 2, 2001
Recorded	June 1999
Genre	Classical
Length	76:17
Label	Sony Classical, Columbia
Producer	Steve Epstein
Billy Joel chronology
The Ultimate Collection (2000)The Ultimate Collection2000 Fantasies & Delusions (2001) The Essential Billy Joel (2001)The Essential Billy Joel2001

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Fantasies & Delusions is the thirteenth and final studio album released by Billy Joel and it is the first (and so far only) album of his classical compositions, released in 2001. It is also (as of 2015) the last album featuring any original material by Joel. The pieces were performed by Richard Joo, who has been a long-time friend of Joel. The album was originally recorded at Cove City Sound Studios, Glen Cove, NY with help from long time production coordinator Bill Zampino and Richie Cannata. The album was re-recorded in Vienna, Austria for final release.

It was Joel's 19th album to chart on the Billboard 200, reaching #83 in October 2001.

Track listing

All songs composed by Billy Joel.

1. Opus 3. Reverie ("Villa d'Este") – 9:31
2. Opus 2. Waltz # 1 ("Nunley's Carousel") – 6:58
3. Opus 7. Aria ("Grand Canal") – 11:08
4. Opus 6. Invention in C Minor – 1:04
5. Opus 1. Soliloquy ("On a Separation") – 11:26
6. Opus 8. Suite for Piano ("Star-Crossed"): I. Innamorato – 7:46
7. Opus 8. Suite for Piano ("Star-Crossed"): II. Sorbetto – 1:30
8. Opus 8. Suite for Piano ("Star-Crossed"): III. Delusion – 3:37
9. Opus 5. Waltz # 2 ("Steinway Hall") – 7:00
10. Opus 9. Waltz # 3 ("For Lola") – 3:28
11. Opus 4. Fantasy ("Film Noir") – 8:56
12. Opus 10. Air ("Dublinesque") – 3:46

Symphonic Fantasies

In 2003, pianist Jeffrey Biegel approached Joel about a commission for a piano concerto. As an alternative, Joel suggested that Biegel create a piano concerto using pieces from Fantasies and Delusions. Biegel did so, using four of the pieces: "Fantasy (Film Noir)", "Sorbetto", "Reverie (Villa d'Este)", and "Nunley's Carousel Waltz". After Biegel had written the piano part, Nashville composer Philip Keveren composed the orchestral parts. The work, titled "Symphonic Fantasies for Piano and Orchestra", premiered on June 24, 2006 in Greensboro, North Carolina. Biegel was the pianist, accompanied by the Eastern Philharmonic Orchestra led by Stuart Malina.