Over the Rainbow/Simple Gifts (Piano/Cello Cover) - The Piano Guys

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Story behind the song:

Jon Schmidt and Steven Sharp Nelson were booked for a Piano Guys show in Hawaii. How could we resist filming our next video in the land of Aloha -- beautiful beaches, green mountains, and fresh pineapple?? We went to our Founders and Facebook fans to ask what song they wanted us to play there. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" was the nearly-unanimous response. But you know how we are ... we couldn't "just" do this tune by itself...so in the studio we found a made-in-heaven matchup in the timeless melody from the Shaker Hymn "Simple Gifts" written in the 1800's (also used by Aaron Copland in his Ballet "Appalachian Spring"). We feel it's an especially appropriate mash-up because of our profound love and respect for the Hawaiian culture -- a people who are so good at finding happiness in simplicity. As you probably could hear we borrowed a lot of ideas from Iz's version which has become the stuff of legend. This arrangement is, in part, a tribute to him.

Getting a piano onto a sandy beach and then onto a big hill in a famous ranch within the SAME day (we only had 8 hours to film) was no small feat. The only thing harder would be to be predict Hawaiian weather, which ended up being our biggest challenge.

"We had a little extra help on this one. My mother, Lynne Sanders Nelson -- a main source of my inspiration for pursuing music -- passed away early in life from the effects of a brain tumor. She was an incredibly-gifted musician and taught me to play music passionately rather than just playing 'notes' on a page. 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' was one of her favorite songs. We finished this arrangement on what would have been her 70th birthday. Somehow she helped. I miss her so very much, but when I play songs like this I feel like I get to be with her again. This song is dedicated to her."
-Steven Sharp Nelson

This song is dedicated to
Lynne Sanders Nelson, The Hill Family, J. Mueller, & the people of Hawaii

Filming locations:
Beach Scene:
Pounders Beach, North Shore, Oahu Hawaii
Finale:
Kualoa Ranch, North Shore, Oahu Hawaii (This is the place to go for sightseeing on Oahu!)
Toll Free: [phone]
Tour Desk: [phone]

Credits:
Over the Rainbow music written by Harold E. Arlen in 1939 for the movie "Wizard of Oz" -- originally performed by Judy Garland
Published by EMI Feist Catalog, Inc.
Inspired, in part, by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's cover
Simple Gifts written by Joseph Brackett in 1848
Arrangement produced by Al van der Beek & Steven Sharp Nelson
Arrangement written by Jon Schmidt, Al van der Beek & Steven Sharp Nelson
Video produced by Paul Anderson and Tel Stewart
Piano: Jon Schmidt
Electric/Acoustic Cellos: Steven Sharp Nelson
Vocals: Al van der Beek
Percussion: Steven Sharp Nelson & Al van der Beek
Recorded, mixed & mastered by Al van der Beek at TPG Studio

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#thepianoguys #pianocello

[tantaiphan]

It lifted my soul up from a deep depression 8 years ago. Sometimes, I listen to it and watch the beautiful scenes to get some positive energy. Thank youi #PianoGuys

[BrittanyMarie]

I just LOVE how happy the cello player looks. It makes me happy.

[steve]

Steven's enthusiasm during his plays are contagious! Mad respect for John's skills, no note out of tune too! Love these Guys!

[The_journey]

My wife walked to me at our wedding to this i love it and will forever have this song in my heart thank you guys !!!!

[elisabethhusted]

These guys are simply amazing! My 5yr old son tries to imitate them all the time on our piano and guitar.

[pjfo]

I wanna cry!
After watching Israel saying Goodbye... still God is so merciful, gracious, forgiving and Loving to us all and we have and need to know that!
God bless us all!
We will get through this all together with Gods' love!!!
Amen?!

[kironoschannel]

The story behind this song is really touching. He explained why he made this song and what happened during filming at a fireside a few years ago. His mother loved Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and she had passed away a few years before he started filming. At the end where he sees the rainbow, it really was there. He said he felt that rainbow was from his mom showing how happy and grateful she was and that she truly loved him.

[zuzannawisniewska]

If you're still listening in 2024 you a legend. May God bless everyone reading this! .... from Fort Worth, Texas

[annuckszooi]

I Always love how happy Steven looks when he plays on his cello. And how Jon is always sort of dancing behind the piano. Music does beautiful things with people.

[whoelesome]

I can't get over the fact of how happy they look when playing omg it makes me just so happy

[canselalkan]

When I was a university student, i would listen to this song everyday. They are my one of the best times. But now we are livig in very difficult days. Only I want to remember my good times. I hope we will back to good times.

[pamelawilder]

This piece means EVERYTHING is going to be alright!! Heaven will make us cry such tears of extreme joy!!

[methodearc-en-ciel]

*Every time I listen to this music, it can really make me feel so much happiness and even cry too... It's like I am transported far into a beautiful world, far away from all the problems and noises of this real world...*

[micaelalozano]

This video makes me miss Hawaii so much. We lived there for 3 years and long to return to the island. Rich of culture and Aloha.

[anusha]

The cello player looks so happy! It is so amazing to see someone love art so much:D

[annenglish]

I've been to this beach ... and I thought no, I'm always seeing Pounders Beach... but it was... now I can watch the God's creation with beautiful music. God bless you for sharing how "Somewhere Over the Rainbow " was your Mother's favorite music... it's one of mine... Bless you for this video... San Diego

[jonathancobb]

On day I watched pretty much all of their songs in like an hour. You really appreciate the work of these guys when you think about the fact that a song you listened to in 5 minutes took them months of practice and preperation.

[Zach-kzsk]

This just gives me that "feeling."You know the feeling, it's indescribable.

[evaknight]

These guys always look like they’re having the greatest time! It’s refreshing

[nigelbest]

I found this song shortly after my daughter was born. Everytime I listen to it, it takes me back to those tender moments of having a newborn. Makes me quite emotional. Thank you piano Guys!