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

Happy New Year! 2018!

Happy New Year!

2018!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Some interesting new posts.

June Lee - Acappella Christmas Medley (2014)

 Brilliant arrangements of popular of Christmas songs. 

With creative reharmonization and perfect voicings.

 June Lee - Transcription of 
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
by Jacob Collier and Tori Kelly
A very complex transcription. 
With microtonal harmony.
An incredibly challenging and near-impossible feat. 
Brilliant work! 

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas!

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (2)

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (2)
 See earlier post here.

Latest addition:

Highlight
 
Jacob Collier and Tori Kelly - Multitrack Acappella (2017) 
At last!
The perfect acappella version.
With superjacobian reharmonization.
'nuff said.

June Lee - Live Transcription of the above (2017)
A very unique clip - live transcription of the very complex harmonies of Jacob C!
By the very talented June L.

Hark The Herald Angels Sing

HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING

Popular Christmas Carol.

Melody by Felix Mendelssohn.

Lyrics by Charles Wesley (1739).

Adapted by George Whitefield (1758).

Adapted to a melody of Mendelssohn's by John Cummings (1855).

Charming melody. 

Many opportunities for reharmonization.

Wiki link here.

HIGHLIGHT

Take 6 - Acappella
The right balance, tempo and texture.
With creative trademark reharmonization.
Perfect.

The Blenders - Acappella (2011)
Excellent live performance.
Some creative reharmonization.

St Paul's Cathedral Christmas Concert (1997)
Grand traditional setting. 

Pentatonix - Acappella (2011)

Traditional opening with rhythmic contemporary makeover second time round.

Don't You Worry 'bout a Thing

Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing

1973 Single by Stevie Wonder
Catchy tune and Latin beat, with motivational lyrics.

Interesting modulation trajectory.

Highlight

Jacob Collier - Multitrack (2013)

Arranged and reharmonized by superhuman Jacob Collier.

Mind-blowing reharmonization, acappellization and instrumentation.

ORIGINAL
Stevie Wonder (1973)
From his 1973 album Innvervisions.






Incognito (1992)
Steady beat.






Arrangment by Paul Murtha - Jazz Band (2017)
Published by Hal Leonard 
Interesting treatment.
With running score.






Highlight 2
Jacob Collier (Live) (2017)
Live at Lincoln Hall in Chicago.
Jacob Collier performs multitrack live with himself!

Wave

Wave

A bossa nova song from the album by the same name.

Composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim.
Catchy melody, upbeat tempo, and interesting modulations.

A favourite candidate for jazz improvisation. 

 Wiki entry here.

ORIGINAL
Antonio Carlos Jobim (1967)
Tasteful and elegant.
Classic Jobim.

VOCALS AND GUITAR

Marina Maiztegui (Vocals) and Eduardo Mercuri (Guitar) (2015)

LARGE GROUP ACAPELLLA

Perpetuum Jazzile (2010)
Live at Vokal Xtravaganzza 2010 concert in Ljubljana, Slovenia

HIGHLIGHT

Antonio Carlos Jobim and Herbie Hancock (1993)

At a Jobim Tribute concert. 

Brilliant improvisation by Hancock.

(The above, with running score)

Herbie Hancock's solo

Transcribed by Aaron Lehrian (2017)

Great job!