Nyango Star

NYANGO STAR

Interesting challenge between one half of TwoSet Violin and Nyango Star.

Nyango Star is a cat-apple mascot character from Japan.

Highly skilled at the drums.

 

Gong Xi Gong Xi - for Violin and Piano

Gong Xi Gong Xi

(Original Arrangement for Violin and Piano)

Arranged by The Geometric Pianist (2019)

In the style of virtuoso solo violin pieces of the romantic period.

Inspired by Paganini, Kreisler, Wieniawski and Rachmaninoff. 

 "Paganini and Rachmaninoff jamming. 
If they had been born in the same era. 
And in China. " 
An observation by Quantum, a friend of the Geometric Pianist.

More information on the original piece in a previous blog post here.

Sleigh Ride (Two Pianos) - Transcription

SLEIGH RIDE
(TWO PIANOS)

Brilliant jazz improvisation by Stanley Collins (2012) on this festive favourite. 

Original composed by Leroy Anderson (1948).

Featured in earlier blog entry here.

Recently transcribed by The Geometric Pianist!




Transcription by The Geometric Pianist (2018)
with running score.

Original Version here:

Stanley Collins (2012) - Two-Piano

An exhilarating, invigorating and refreshingly jazzy take on this classic.

Very tight two-piano chordwork and voicing. 

Exciting reharmonization and rhythmic ideas.

Melodic and temporal fidelity preserved amidst jazz complexity.

A brilliant arrangement and performance!

(comments above from earlier blog entry) 

 

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.

_____

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.

_____

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.

_____

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN

(National Anthem of the United Kingdom)

Arranged and Performed Live by Horowitz (1982)

Steady and solemn.

Je Te Veux

Je Te Veux

Charming waltz for piano solo composed by French composer Erik Satie in 1897. 
Was fascinated by the melody whilst in a Muji store and managed to track it down online. 
Reminscent of a bygone Parisian era.

Wiki link here. 

ORIGINAL  - Piano Solo

Original composition by Satie.

Played by Jean-Yves Thibaudet. 
With running score. 
 

MUJI BGM 12 
(Accordion, Piano, Guitar)

 Beautiful arrangement for accordion, piano and guitar. 

Background Music for Muji, the Japanese store. 

The bal-musette style captures the mood of the piece perfectly.

 More details from Muji website here.

Jean Wiener (Piano)

Elegant paraphrase for piano solo in the grand romantic tradition.

Tastefully enriched, harmonized/reharmonized and textured. 

Someone should undertake a transcription of this beautiful arrangement.

Major 13th Chord

MAJOR 13th CHORD

A selection of music with

the Major 13th Chord in a catchy II-V-I context.

STARS IN THE SKY (2017)

by David Cutter

A catchy loop with interesting synths.

FINDING PARKING (2017)

by Joey Pecoraro

Similarly catchy loop with lively beat.

SUNDAY MORNING  (2004)
by Maroon 5 

A wistful yet catchy classic by vocal group Maroon 5.
Wiki entry here.

(added June 2019)

IT'S NEAR (2017)

by DJ Quads

Technically only a 9th, not 13th. 

But nevertheless, a catchy II-V-I loop.

Gong Xi Gong Xi (恭喜恭喜)

Gong Xi Gong Xi 

(恭喜恭喜)

(This post is made in conjunction with Chinese New Year 2018.)

A Chinese New Year favourite.

Translates literally to "Congratulations" 

but contextually probably "Best Wishes"would be more appropriate.

Composed by Chen Gexin in 1945 in Shanghai

to celebrate the defeat of Japan 

and liberation of China at the end of WWII (per Wikipedia).

Now almost exclusively associated with Chinese New Year.

Wiki entry here. 

Happy Chinese New Year!


The Geometric Pianist (Three Keyboards) (2018)
Original transcription for three keyboards.
Playback instruments: Tines, Clavinet and Piano. 
Inspired by Rachmaninoff, Chopin and Bach.
With jazzy interlude at 0:52.
Easter Eggs:
0:28 - Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor
 1:25 - Chopin Etude Op. 10 No. 4 in C# Minor
Underlying figures - Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F