Standing Stone is Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney

Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...

's second full-length release of original classical music and was issued shortly after Flaming Pie

Flaming Pie

Flaming Pie is an album by Paul McCartney, first released in 1997. His first studio album in over four years, it was mostly recorded following McCartney's involvement in the highly successful The Beatles Anthology project. In Flaming Pies liner notes McCartney said: " reminded me of The Beatles'...

s release in 1997. The world premiere performance was held at The Royal Albert Hall

Royal Albert Hall

The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....

 on 14 October 1997.

Following up on 1991's Paul McCartney's Liverpool Oratorio

Paul McCartney's Liverpool Oratorio

Paul McCartney's Liverpool Oratorio is Paul McCartney's first official foray into classical music and was released in 1991. Composed in collaboration with Carl Davis to commemorate The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra's 150th anniversary, the project received a large amount of media...

, the Standing Stone project was composed out of a long poem McCartney authored and was performed by the London Symphony Orchestra

London Symphony Orchestra

The London Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra of the United Kingdom, as well as one of the best-known orchestras in the world. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in London's Barbican Centre.-History:...

 and conducted by Lawrence Foster

Lawrence Foster

Lawrence Foster is an American conductor.He became the conductor of the San Francisco Ballet at the age of 18, and served as Assistant Conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta...

 at EMI

EMI

The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...

's Abbey Road Studios

Abbey Road Studios

Abbey Road Studios is a recording studio located at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music company EMI, its present owner...

. Unlike Liverpool Oratorio, this new project is not an operatic performance of a story, but an instrumental one, though it employs the use of a choir.

The cover for the album is actually one of the many photos taken by Linda McCartney

Linda McCartney

Linda Louise McCartney, Lady McCartney was an American photographer, musician and animal rights activist. Her father and mother were Lee Eastman and Louise Sara Lindner Eastman....

 during late 1969/early 1970 that would initially be seen on the inside gatefold cover of Paul's first album McCartney

McCartney (album)

McCartney is the debut solo album by Paul McCartney. Apart from Linda McCartney's vocal contributions, McCartney performed the entire album solo...

. Incidentally, this project was her husband's last release before Linda succumbed to breast cancer

Breast cancer

Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...

on 17 April 1998, having been diagnosed almost three years earlier.

Released in September 1997, Paul McCartney's Standing Stone - which was well-received - reached #1 on the classical charts, and managed a one week stand at #194 on the US pop album listings.

Movement I - After heavy light years

1. "Fire/Rain" Allegro energico – 4:30
2. "Cell Growth" Semplice – 8:30
3. "'Human' Theme" Maestoso – 3:36

Movement II - He awoke startled

1. "Meditation" Contemplativo – 3:57
2. "Crystal Ship" Con moto scherzando – 2:02
3. "Sea Voyage" Pulsating, with cool jazz feel – 3:39
4. "Lost At Sea" Sognando – 4:37
5. "Release" Allegro con spirito – 1:54

Movement III - Subtle colours merged soft contours

1. "Safe Haven/Standing Stone" Pastorale con moto – 4:11
2. "Peaceful moment" Andante tranquillo – 2:09
3. "Messenger" Energico – 3:35
4. "Lament" Lamentoso – 2:26
5. "Trance" Misterioso – 5:32
6. "Eclipse" Eroico – 4:57

Movement IV - Strings pluck, horns blow, drums beat

1. "Glory Tales" Trionfale – 2:40
2. "Fugal Celebration" L'istesso tempo. Fresco – 4:25
3. "Rustic Dance" Rustico – 2:00
4. "Love Duet" Andante intimo – 3:43
5. "Celebration" Andante – 6:15