[VIDEO] Badelt, Zimmer (Arr. Aki)-He's A Pirate (Fantasie Impromptu Fusion?)

[49410enrique]

EDIT-I updatted the 'performer's remarks'/"program notes" i didn't have these complete in time for the performance but i usually run these off for the audience and repost them with the videos:
The pirates of the Black Pearl capture the beautiful Elizabeth Swann, as they believe her blood will set them free of their curse; by day they appear normal, but by moonlight they are revealed as skeletal zombies. Will Turner sets off to rescue her, enlisting the help of pirate Jack Sparrow, who has his own agenda after being overthrown as captain of the Pearl by the mutinous Captain Barbossa.
 
This flashy work is just plain 'ol "swashbuckling" silly fun. After a singular G# octave we are greated with the familiar and catchy tune from the Disney Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Then, rather abrutply, the work begins to have an identity crisis of sorts with quotes directly from Chopin's famous Fantasie-Impromptu Op. 66. We hear several more iterations of the high seas tune interspesred with moments of romantic brilliance before the work closes in a somewhat similar fashion as the Chopin work, with a gentle soft chord.
 
About the Chopin's Op. 66:
 Chopin wrote four impromptus—a French word suggesting improvisation—but affixed the word "fantaisie" (fantasy) only to the last one, perhaps implying a clearer form for the first three and a more rhapsodic nature for the last. Chopin asked that this work, along with several others, be destroyed after his death (obviously his executors ignored him); it's speculated that he felt the piece was too derivative of the Op. 89 impromptu of Ignaz Moscheles. Chopin's manuscript carries the French inscription "Composed for the Baroness d'Este," which some people, notably pianist Artur Rubinstein, have interpreted to mean that the baroness commissioned the work for her exclusive use.


i wasn't going to release this for viewing but i was convinced to go ahead and own it. part of my growth as a performer/student i suppose.


I had some not so ideal conditions going into the second performance (this was far removed
by at least 90 minutes from the Shimomura work I posted earlier, rather complicated background logistitcs issues aside...)

So this was another 'just for fun' work I decided to work up and present as an extra performance to finish the term out, usually the main focus of the semester is on standard rep or more 'traditional art music and concert works', but when there's time I'll try to pull out one of my side projects and give it ago. not my favorite attempt at this but then again public stage performance is worlds different from the practice room...

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[candlelightpiano]

Enrique, this is the strangest, most interesting "Fantasie Impromptu" I've ever heard!!  Hearing is believing!!!   

I noticed it on your signature some time ago but never got around to asking you what that was about so it's great you posted it today.  I guess the reason the title is "He's a Pirate" is because the arrangers have added a pirate element to it?  I could see the grand pirate ship sailing on the seas soon after the opening G#.  And it was romantic.  Like a love scene from Titanic, actually.  I rather liked it, in a strange and fascinating way. 

Thanks.  I enjoyed your performance very much.  So are you a music major in college?  And where did you get the score for this arrangement?

[49410enrique]

Enrique, this is the strangest, most interesting "Fantasie Impromptu" I've ever heard!!  Hearing is believing!!!    

I ... I rather liked it, in a strange and fascinating way.  

Thanks.  I enjoyed your performance very much.  So are you a music major in college?  And where did you get the score for this arrangement?

yes it does have a bit of an identity crisis but i was immediately drawn to it out of sheer novelty at first, then i realized there are some nice moments even with such a simple harmonic plan in the pirates motif.

i sincerely appreciate the kind remarks, even though it was a 'just for fun' project/extra side piece, it did worry me becuase the Chopin that forms the basis even though I'd studied it years ago presented some new challenges in the context of the re-worked score, speaking of which it is from a japanese album i imported published by yamaha music media the exact name (it's in japanese) eludes me but you'll see it in the anything but piano board under the 'post your recent piano purcheses' thread i periodically pop into that i started some time ago.

again i feel wonderful to know that even with my own personal reservations i am getting good enough at putting them aside (at least somewhat) to allow the visual and emotion i am trying to convey to come through.

thanks choo you made my night!

yes i'm in school though although the specifics of my official vs actual course of study are a little murky, thread would derail considerably if i started to unpack that here lol

[49410enrique]

updated 'performer's comments'/program notes in original post upstairs ...

[sueyin]

That was a ton of fun!!!!  What an invention on a great piece!  Could you post the score, so we can compare it to Chopin's work?

Out of curiosity, did you post the updated performer's comments/ program notes only after candlelight posted her comments?  Which means she only drew her comments from listening to your performance? If that is the case, I think she has an incredible ear for music that is well presented. 

[johnmar78]

4915, very good performance from your twisted mind .10/10  Is that a Yamaha concert grand??

I liked how you present youself in front of peopel and play your own version. It does sound like bit of the theme of "piano"-the movie.

[49410enrique]

That was a ton of fun!!!!  What an invention on a great piece!  Could you post the score, so we can compare it to Chopin's work?

Out of curiosity, did you post the updated performer's comments/ program notes only after candlelight posted her comments?  Which means she only drew her comments from listening to your performance? If that is the case, I think she has an incredible ear for music that is well presented. 

my humble thanks!
unfortunately the score is very new , just released last year in japan so not only is the original tune copyrighted (you don't mess w disney, they have a sweet wholesom image but as a corporate entity they are sharks best left alone...) and the arrangment is under license to yamaha so i can't post.  if you want the score i can pm you how to order it or you can see the 'post your recent piano purcheses' thread you commented on, early post has the deets on the disney/chopin album.

no those notes came after (it's a quirky piece so iit took me a while to figure out what to say about it and how organize the mish-mash of information). choo has a wonderful and uncanny talent for pulling very good vivid imagery from music, i wish many times i coudl do the same as well as her..

really my many thanks again for your kind words

[49410enrique]

4915, very good performance from your twisted mind .10/10  Is that a Yamaha concert grand??

I liked how you present youself in front of peopel and play your own version. It does sound like bit of the theme of "piano"-the movie.

well that's awesome, i really appreciate the compliment on 'stage presence' it's always a strugge and something i have been workning diligently on, i was a complete wreck on the inside, buy hey fake it tillyou make it right?

as for 'my version' the interpretation has my spin on it buut the music is actually arranged as played with melody from the movie and direct quotes from the chopin.

[black_keys]

Wow  Good Job its so much fun  !!! I liked it very much 
Did you arranged it by yourself ?

[49410enrique]

Wow   Good Job its so much fun   !!! I liked it very much  
Did you arranged it by yourself ?

it's a blast to play, it's the kind of piece you can really 'let yourself go' and enjoy the momment.  thanks for listening and the compliment. i am very happy so many people are liking this quirky little piece.

there seems to be some confusion about the arrangment (i put the arranger in the title as "Aki") but just in case,

it is from this album


i have a longterm goal of playing through the entire album it is full of wonderful and familar music both Disney and Chopin. Highly reccommended 'light reading'  

thanks again!

[black_keys]

Oh cool  can I listen to this album somewhere on the web ?

[49410enrique]

Oh cool  can I listen to this album somewhere on the web ?

it can be special ordered/imported from japan. there might be a singe track out there floating around but to my knowledge the music is hard to come by.  i'm already working on another so stay tuned...

[black_keys]

i'm already working on another so stay tuned...

Ok I'll wait for it