Arrangements – Lang Lang
When I arrange, I enter into a relationship with the melody and mood of the source material. I harmonise or reharmonise, I reshape it and give it new rhythms, so that the piece appears in a different light.
For me, an arrangement succeeds when it feels artful without sounding overloaded, alienated or even falsified.
The art of arranging is comparable to Japanese ikebana, in which flowers are composed so that a harmony of line, rhythm and colour emerges. Just as every detail is considered there – vase, stems, leaves and blossoms – I too, as an arranger, must keep all the elements in view in order to grasp the soul of a melody and bring it into bloom.
When I arrange for a master pianist such as Lang Lang, another dimension is added: virtuosity and a wide expressive range. Yet even this must never become an end in itself in the arrangement; it must feel natural and effortless – light, floating and wholly in the service of the music, which always comes first.
“Limu Limu Lima”
A herding song recorded in Älvdalen, Sweden, in 1856. Its delicate minor-key melody is simple and yet richly sonorous; its text is a prayer to the sun. Peter Schindler has arranged this very special song for the piano, allowing the melody to speak universally. His arrangement opens up space for the subtle interpretation of the pianist Lang Lang.
“Jasmine Flower”
Mo Li Hua – the song of the famous Chinese jasmine blossom is one of China’s best-known folk songs. Peter Schindler has turned it into a colourful, demanding piano version that lets the traditional melody shimmer in every hue. Schindler’s arrangement unites the simple, pentatonic beauty of the original with modern harmonies – a perfect blend of “old” and “new”, as Maestro Lang Lang describes it.
“Arirang”
Arirang is Korea. Arirang is sung in both South and North Korea, and every region of the country has its own versions. Arirang texts tell of life and love, of pain and separation, and of people’s hard work. This Arirang comes from the Seoul/Gyeonggi-do region; it is THE Arirang par excellence. Peter Schindler places this world-famous piece in a sound world that is both contemporary and rooted in tradition, making it a bridge between all cultures.
“Song at Nile River’s Bank”
A classic by Sayed Darwish, the father of Egyptian popular music. The song combines Arabic tradition with Western influences. In his piano version for the cosmopolitan Lang Lang, Peter Schindler frees the vocal line from its original context and shapes it into an arrangement of dense atmosphere. With a deep understanding of the Arabic sound world and the highest interpretative standards, Schindler masterfully transfers the characteristic phrasing and ornamental subtleties of the original to the piano.
“The Girl from Ipanema”
A worldwide hit and a classic, composed by Antônio Carlos Jobim, it is the best-known song of the bossa nova genre. Peter Schindler’s virtuoso arrangement for solo piano is interpreted with fine nuance by the pianist Lang Lang on the EP.
“Naana Maara Haath”
This popular Gujarati children’s song from India is known internationally for its simple, catchy melody and its distinctive rhythm. Peter Schindler’s piano version preserves its childlike, playful character. With refined articulation and pianistic finesse, Lang Lang brings this arrangement to life.
“Pata Pata”
Miriam Makeba’s worldwide hit of 1967 thrives on percussive rhythms and irresistible vocals. Peter Schindler’s arrangement skilfully transfers this energy to the piano: the Afropop groove remains palpable even without a band, and Maestro Lang Lang brings out the rhythm with virtuosity through the dynamics and articulation of the black and white keys.