Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 14, 2026

Optimystique

Optimystique is the debut studio album by Greek keyboardist, composer, and producer Yanni, released independently in 1980. It was re-released in 1984 by Varèse Sarabande and in 1989 by Private Music.

Last revised
Jun 14, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
282 w
Citations
2
Source
Optimystique
1984 release front cover
Studio album by
Released1984
Recorded
Genre
Length38:41
LabelIndependent (1980)
Varèse Sarabande (1984)
Private Music (1989)
Producer
Yanni chronology
Optimystique
(1984)
Keys to Imagination
(1986)
Alternative cover
1989 release front cover
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStar1

Optimystique is the debut studio album by Greek keyboardist, composer, and producer Yanni, released independently in 1980. It was re-released in 1984 by Varèse Sarabande and in 1989 by Private Music.

Liner notes

Optimystique was recorded in 1980 and released for the first time in 1984. I considered re-recording or reworking the material before re-releasing it again, but the album has a very special sound representative of a particular time early in my career which I wanted to preserve. For me, it is a piece of my history I remember fondly.2

Track listing

All tracks are written by Yanni.

No.TitleLength
1."The Sphynx"4:13
2."Butterfly Dance"6:26
3."Strings"3:50
4."Twilight"7:35
5."The Chase"5:08
6."Farewell"2:47
7."Turn of the Tide"3:57
8."The Magus"4:45

Personnel

Production

  • Produced by Jerry Steckling and Yanni
  • Executive Producers: Mark MacPherson and Tom Paske
  • Engineered by Jerry Steckling
  • Assistant Engineer: Chopper Black
  • Recorded at Cookhouse Studios and Sound 80, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Mastered by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering, Los Angeles
References

References

  1. AllMusic
  2. Optimystique (CD liner). Yanni. Private Music. 1989.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. Burnett, Richard, "From the Acropolis to America, Yanni still sits on top of the world" (WebCite archive), The Gazette (Montreal), June 14, 2012.
External links