Gabriel Faure: Pie Jesu , from Requiem, Op. 48 - piano solo version

I was inspired to do this video by Emile Naoumoff's superb YouTube video of his own transcription of 'In Paradisum' from the same work (a much tougher transcription challenge!). I have accompanied 'Pie Jesu' on piano many times, but am usually unsatisfied with the soundworld created by voice and piano in this piece, and think that if it is to be played in anything other than the various contemporary orchestrations, it might as well be played on a single instrument. I have worked from the vocal score (Desmond Ratcliffe version) and apart from reducing the vocal and piano line as best I can, I have omitted the opening chord (which really just gives the note to the soloist), changed the pitch of the interludes between sung solo lines, to differentiate them, done a small amount of arpeggiation and reiteration of bass notes to keep the harmony going.
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Played by Phillip Sear
http://www.psear.co.uk

Category:

Music

Tags:

• piano
• classical
• French
• France
• arrangement

[nprotec]

I love it.

[PSearPianist]

@nprotec That's very kind!

[grumpyoldgeek]

Very nice. Really liked your phrasing. I'd love to hear what you could do with Handel's The Hallelujah Chorus.

[PSearPianist]

@grumpyoldgeek Thank you. I have not come across a good piano transcription of the latter, but I am sure one may exist!

[burpo]

I am not a pianist, nor a scholar, but I have spent the afternoon watching/ listening to your videos and have found the experience richly enjoyable. Thank you.

[PSearPianist]

@burpo Thank you for your most encouraging comment!

[grumpyoldgeek]

@PSearPianist

One more request, could you do a piano arrangement of BWV 61.5

youtube.com/watch?v=w8L4_1D3tY­k&feature=related

[PSearPianist]

@purpleabsofsteel Thank you for your kind comment - and good luck with your own study of the piece!

[purpleabsofsteel]

I completely agree with you. Pie Jesu is beautiful on both voice and piano, but I appreciate it so much more when solo. This is beautiful! I'm learning this right now, I hope I can play it as well as you do!! Great job :)

[PSearPianist]

Thank you!