Friday, September 7, 2018

National Anthems - Piano Transcriptions

NATIONAL ANTHEMS - PIANO TRANSCRIPTIONS 
It is sometimes necessary for a pianist to perform 
the national anthem before the start of a recital.
Here is a collection of some transcriptions.

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NEGARAKU
(National Anthem of Malaysia)
Arranged by The Geometric Pianist (2018)

In the style of Rachmaninoff's piano transcriptions.
Starts off with pure octaves and then standard chords.
Inner melodies and suspensions added incrementally.

Live performance of this arrangement by a well-wisher can be found here.


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THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER
(National Anthem of the USA)

Arranged by Rachmaninoff (1918)
 Brilliant arrangement. 
Very well-balanced.
Clever use of suspensions especially the last few bars.
With running score. 





Arranged and Performed Live by Van Cliburn (1994)
Unembellished but rousing.





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GOD SAVE THE QUEEN
(National Anthem of the United Kingdom)

Arranged and Performed Live by Horowitz (1982)
Steady and solemn.