Cherokee (Two Pianos) - Transcription

CHEROKEE (TWO PIANOS) - TRANSCRIPTION

Jazz standard by Ray Noble.

Brilliant improvisation by pianists Olaf Polziehn and Rossano Sportiello.

This has now been transcribed by The Geometric Pianist!

See also earlier post on this piece here.

Selamat Hari Raya

SELAMAT HARI RAYA

Catchy Hari Raya favourite by Ahmad Jaafar (1955),

sung originally by Saloma.

Arrangement by The Geometric Pianist (2019)

for 4 keyboards, harmonica obligato and percussion

  

Saloma (Version 1)

One of the early original versions.
Upbeat version with strings.

Contains signature introduction and and coda passage.

 

Saloma (Version 2)

Another early/original version. 

More laid-back tempo, with cha-cha rhythm.
Jazz band, with trumpets featured prominently.

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.