In keeping with the long-standing tradition of "jumping the gun" on the monthly piano bar by starting it a day early, I hereby kick the festivities off for the month of July (Happy 4th of July to all you great Americans out there!).

This is my expanded arrangement of the basic arrangement of the beautiful Italian love song "Come Back To Sorrento" found in Alfred 3.

I've extended the piece from 43 measures to 72 measures by (1) adding an intro (based on the last phrase of the song); (2) adding a D.S. al Fine at the end of the 1st play-thru which jumps back to the beginning of the 2nd section; and (3) twice repeating the last phrase at the end of the 2nd play-thru, the 1st repeat in the parallel minor key and the 2nd repeat back in the controlling major key.

This song is built on parallel keys . Parallel keys have the same key-note . For example this piece starts off with the first section in D minor and switches to D Major at the end of the 2nd play-thru of this 1st section (you will distictly hear the change). The 2nd & 3rd sections are in D Major then.

Here is my version:

Come Back To Sorrento


Enjoy, JF

Notes:

The music for "Come Back To Sorrento" was written by Ernesto de Curtis in or around 1902 with lyics by his brother Giambatissta. It is one of the most popular of the Neapolitan love songs, and has been song by most operatic and many popular singers ever since. One of the best version is this one by Jerry Vale (very famous in the 50s-80s) with a very nice photo slide show of the beautiful town of Sorrento.

Sorrento is on the southwestern coast of Italy about equa-distant from Naples and the Isle of Capri.

Jerry Vale sings "Come Back to Sorrento"

Good Job JF... you have a nice connection with these "story telling" pieces. It's easy to drift away when listening.

John, what a neat piece. I love it's "european flavour". In fact I had to go grab another cup of expresso this morning after listening.

I would like to bring two works to the bar. The first is another of my atempts at a Gillian Welch tune. This one is her song "Annabelle".


The second is a work by Schumann from his Carnaval, Opus 9; the well known homage to Chopin.

JF - Thanks for the beautiful song "Sorrento." Knowing the story behind the song makes it more interesting. Good work!

I have recently been working with the Sudnow method to see if I can develop a new and better "shape" to my playing. I do not (yet) follow the method exactly as prescribed, but rather I have picked up on a few tips and suggetions. I think you will hear those influences, and I hope you will enjoy my arrangement of "Danny Boy."

http://www.box.net/shared/2j75epqnre

Balladeer

JF - Thanks for bringing back the memory. I remember when I was five or six, my sisters played that song a lot (a slightly different version than yours). I used to love to listen to it in the morning while I was still in bed.

Peyton - I liked your accompagniment (RH) in Annabelle. I haven't heard the Schumann's piece before but it was very lyrical and I definitely will put that in my long wish-list for the future.

Balladeer - Wow, I love your musicality. It sounds totally different then all the "Danny Boy" versions I have heard. Very soothing and calm. It could totally be something I would like on my ipod

Here is my contribution for this month. This time I tried to mess around with other keys than all-white keys (Am or C)

http://www.box.net/shared/m4z4pcyslm


TB

Peyton - beautiful work. I enjoyed both pieces, but I particularly loved the Schumann 'Chopin tribute.'

TrueBeginner - Good job of coming up with a haunting melody. Your 'messing about' was well done.

Balladeer

Balladeer, that's a great arrangement of Danny Boy. Is that your own? It's very sensitive and wonderfully lyrical.

TB- Is that your own song?

Peyton
It's always fun to hear your ballads. The Schumann piece a soft new petal.

Balladeer
Great interpretation of Danny Boy. I could anticipate where you were going most of the time but there were some nice suprises as well.

TB
I liked your contribution.

Peyton - Yes, this is my own arrangement (Db). I usually start with a very basic arrangement (in this case just 1-4-5 chords) and start adding and then altering until my ear says OK. I am particularly happy you found it 'sensitive' because that's how I hear the piece and that was the goal. Thanks so much.

Carl Mc - I like it when you say I suprised you a couple of times. As long as those surprises didn't make you shut it off, then that tells me I am slowly gaining on this piano thing. Thanks for the kudos.

Balladeer

Balladeer,

It is one thing to make an arrangement of a piece. It is another to play the right notes, but without interpreting the piece by putting yourself into it one loses the music.

Again it is a true pleasure to feel the sensitivity with which you interpret the piece. It is not notes you are playing, it is a feeling you are expressing.

Thanks again for another excerpt of your evolving talent.

John Frank - another excellent song choice skillfully played. You always seem to perform great songs with strong melodies.

Peyton - It is impressive that you have the chops to perform two completely different styles at such a high level. I liked them both but would give the Gillian Welsh tune a slight edge.

TrueBeginner - a hauntingly beautiful song very well played. You struck the right balance between the rh melody and lh accompanyment - neither overpowered.

Balladeer- In addition to the very nice arrangment and chord choices I really like the relaxed tempo and the way you let the song proceed at its' own pace.

Bill -

Yes, I think every tune does have it's own pace - but not the same pace for every player. I guess it depends on what each player hears. Thank you!

JerryG -

I consider that the highest of compliments, Jerry. I am getting a lot of help along the way. Most recently, I believe the influence of David Sudnow is coming thru even before I delve head-long into the actual method. Thanks for taking the time to listen and comment.

Balladeer

Payton - I am jealous you can play and sing at the same time. You also really enjoy it. That's a real gift.

Balladeer - Also enjoyed Danny Boy - that's another of my favourites!

Say - when do they serve drinks in this bar?

Here is my July Piano Bar submission. It is an abridged version of the 1971 Carole King song You've Got a Friend from her Tapistry album. I left off the last verse as it was getting too long.

Bill, I love the way you sing. It reminds me a little of Tom Waits around 20 years ago. Great, gentle accompaniment.

Peyton,

I wish I could play and sing let alone do it as well as you can.

The Schumann piece was beautiful and I must try and get the music. I really enjoyed your performance of the piece.

Thanks for sharing it with us.

Thanks!! I really do love that Schumann piece. For that matter, Schumann wrote some really splendid, beautiful short works for amateurs just like me/us. He gave many of them titles like "From Foreign Lands and People", and "A Curious Story". Some don't care for titles but I actually appreciate Schumanns naming of his works. They add to my "vision" as I work on the piece. In the case of the "Chopin" piece, Schumann loved Chopin's work and playing and this was a real homage to him. I too find Chopin to be my favorite composer and tried to put that love into my playing.

Peyton - excellent job on both pieces as usual, but especially "Annabelle" which I really liked - and you seemed to be enjoying playing it, which added to my (our) enjoyment!

Balladeer - really sweet take on "Danny Boy" - very nicely and delicately played!

True Beginner - I think perhaps Monica was right after all - you may be the "second coming" of David Nevue - beautiful piece with a gorgeous minor key melody, which I almost always love - great creative effort!

Bill - very enthusiastic performance as usual on a song from one of my all time favorite albums - really like your consistently good song selection from month to month - very top flight accompaniment too!

Thanks everyone for your kind remarks on my piece.

Regards, JF

Once in a very long while, I take a small step outside of the classical music world.
http://www.box.net/shared/8foot0smyz

If you wonder why it doesn't sound like my other recordings, it's because I played this on a Kawai digital piano.

Yes, it is. I didn't know what to name it, but it sounded sad and dragging so I called it "Lament"

Bill, that is another song bringing back my memory. We performed a group number on that song when I was in college. Your playing and singing are amazing as usual.

LisztAddict, you know that is my favorite piece, right? You were playing with a lot of touch and delicacy and your DP sounded really good. It captured well your expressions of the piece.

And thanks everyone for listening and commenting on my piece.

TB

Wow.... THAT is beautiful. Who/what is it? A waltz? Nice job on that digital. Sweet...sweet playing.

LisztAddict- Very nice. I love the sound of your piano. Which model Kawai digital did you use for this piece.

John Frank - I think it's great that you always add your own touches to these pieces - nicely done.

Peyton - Loved the Gillian Welch, of course, and nice Schumann, too.

Balladeer - wanna come and play St. Pat's Day with us? Our version of this isn't nearly as nice

True Beginner - nice, very emotive.

Bill - another great styling of fine piece.

LisztAddict - wonderful interpretation - well done.


Boy, these piano bars get ahead of me fast! But wonderful playing, everyone.

Cathy

John Frank, that was beautiful. I almost imagine a whole symphony orchestra providing backing for it. Great job.

Peyton that was great playing (and singing). You definitely got the chops. And your piano sounds fantastic.

Balladeer, you are really a ballad specialist. You really make that melody come out with a nice balance if voices. Beautiful.

More listening to be done later...

For July, an early foray into jazz. Not real jazz, just baby jazz. (Jazzwee: calypso, not polka! )

This is from the Associated Board grade 2 jazz paino syllabus. Becky's Song by Martin Speake. And yes, I do actually improvise here, for a whole 8 bars.

http://www.box.net/shared/siesvehg78

TLT - to all ten of your thumbs. I loved it!

Bill - I enjoy all of your contributions, but this one was special. What a heartfelt presentation! You have really developed a sweet accompaniment technique. Thanks!

Listzaddict - this does sound like your other work ..TREMENDOUS! What a player you are.

TLT - a clever piece ... and improv to boot. Well done!

Jazzwee - thanks for the note on my voicings of 'Danny Boy.' That is an area where I have much learning to do. I'm glad you noticed.