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Bach meets The Beatles: “Nowhere Man”. Variations in the style of J.S. Bach. John Bayless, piano.
THE ART OF IMPROVISATION
Throughout the history of music improvisation has played an important role as a tool for the performer to exhibit not only virtuosic technique but also a wide range of personal emotions. Taking a basic melody and spontaneously reworking, embellishing and developing it into something new and excitingly different is a rare talent that is not often seen today apart from the contemporary and jazz fields. What was once a necessary skill for a young artist has faded from importance in today’s musical world.
However, on this new recording we find John Bayless -scholar, composer, virtuoso … improviser. His creations draw on elements from many different styles of music and fuse them into something uniquely his. Whether he is playing Bach. Lenon and McCartney or Bayless you will find an imagination at work that is fresh and singular. The Art of Improvisation is back, and it may never be the same again!
“BACH MEETS THE BEATLES”
Imagine! What if these two revolutionary musical forces of all time were to meet face to face? What would happen? Would they talk about music? Play their latest compositions? Discuss philosophy? Since this association is impossible presented here are some of the most popular songs of The Beatles improvised as Johann Sebastian Bach might have.
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Artist or Composer / Score name | Cover | List of Contents |
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Antonio Carlos Jobim – Luiza Guitar Arr with Tablature | ||
Antonio Carlos Jobim – One Note Samba (Guitar Arr.) | ||
Antonio Carlos Jobim – One Note Samba (guitar TABS sheet music) | Jobim – One Note Samba (guitar TABS sheet music) | |
Antonio Carlos Jobim – Samba De Uma Nota So | ||
Antonio Carlos Jobim – Se Todos Fossem Iguais A Voce arr. by Baden Powell (Guitar arr. sheet music with TABs) | Antonio Carlos Jobim – Se Todos Fossem Iguais A Voce arr. by Baden Powell (Guitar arr. sheet music with TABs) | |
Antonio Carlos Jobim – Tom Jobim For solo Guitar with TABs | Tom Jobim for Solo Guitar | |
Antonio Carlos Jobim – Triste (Guitar Solo Arr. With Tabs Sheet Music) (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Antonio Carlos Jobim 9 Pieces Guitar TABs | Jobim 9 pieces guitar | |
Antonio Carlos Jobim And Chico Buarque Eu Te Amo (Arr. For Guitar By Carles Trepat) | ||
Antonio Carlos Jobim and the art of Bossa Nova Jazz Play Along Volume 08 with audio MP3 | Antonio Carlos Jobim Jazz Play-Along Volume 08 – with audio MP3_compressed | |
Antonio Carlos Jobim Anthology (Piano vocal and guitar) | Antonio Carlos Jobim Anthology (Piano vocal and guitar) | |
Antonio Carlos Jobim for Classical Guitar (Paulo Bellinati Mel Bay 2008) | Antonio Carlos Jobim for Classical Guitar | |
Antonio Carlos Jobim Jazz Piano solos Vol. 17 | Antonio Carlos Jobim Jazz Piano solos Vol. 17 sheet music pdf | |
Antonio Carlos Jobim Jazz Play Along Vol. 08 with audio MP3 | Antonio Carlos Jobim Jazz Play-Along Volume 08 – with audio MP3_compressed | |
Antonio Carlos Jobim Quebra Pedra (Stone Flower) – Tom Jobim Piano and Guitar chords | ||
Antonio Carlos Jobim Stone Flower (Songbook) Quebra-pedra Tom Jobim Piano Vocal guitar Chords | Antonio Carlos Jobim Stone Flower (Songbook) Tom Jobim Piano Vocal guitar Chords | |
Antonio Carlos Jobim Tom Jobim – Luiza Guitar Solo | ||
Antonio Carlos Jobim Tom Jobim Corcovado arr. for Guitar Violao by Rubinho | Antonio Carlos Jobim Tom Jobim Corcovado arr. for Guitar Violao by Rubinho | |
Antonio Carlos Jobim Wave (Piano Guitar) | Antonio Carlos Jobim Wave (Piano Guitar) | |
Anywhere the heart goes (The Thorn birds – Uccelli di rovo) | ||
Aphex Twin – aisatsana | ||
Aphex Twin – Avril 14th | ||
Aphex Twin – Avril 14th (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Aphex Twin – Kesson Daslef | ||
April In Paris Vernon Duke E.Y. Harburg 1932 Jazz Standard (Vintage sheet music) | ||
Aqua – Doctor Jones | ||
Aquaman Everything I Need Skylar Grey Piano solo | ||
Aram Khachaturian – Sabeltanz Aus Gayaneh (Pianoforte 4 hands) | Aram Khachaturian – Sabeltanz Aus Gayaneh (Pianoforte A 4 Mani) | |
Aranjuez Ma Pensee (ver. for voice and guitar by the composer) | Aranjuez Ma Pensee | |
Aretha Franklin – Chain Of Fools | ||
Aretha Franklin – Respect | ||
Aretha Franklin Songbook | Aretha Franklin Songbook | |
Aretha Franklin Songbook 1 | Aretha Franklin Songbook 1 | |
Aretha Franklin Songbook 2 | Aretha Franklin Songbook 2 | |
Aretha Franklin The Very Best of The 60s | Aretha Franklin best of 60s | |
Ari Hoenig Songbook | Ari Hoenig Songbook | |
Ari Pulkkinen – Angry Birds Theme Song | Ari Pulkkinen – Angry Birds Theme Song | |
Aria (Cantilena) by Heitor Villa-Lobos.mscz | ||
Aria di neve (Sergio Endrigo) | ||
Ariana Grande – 7 Rings Sheet Music | ||
Ariana Grande – Bang Bang Sheet Music piano Vocal Guitar chords | ||
Ariana Grande – No Tears Left to Cry Sheet Music | ||
Ariana Grande Tattooed Heart | Ariana Grande-Tattooed heArt | |
Ariel Ramírez – Alfonsina Y El Mar (Guitar) arr. by Roland Dyens | Ariel Ramírez – Alfonsina Y El Mar (Guitar) arr. by Roland Dyens | |
Ariel Ramírez – Alfonsina Y El Mar (Piano) | Ariel Ramírez – Alfonsina Y El Mar (Piano) | |
Arlen, Harold Stormy weather – piano | Stormy weather – piano | |
Armageddon (Piano & Guitar Chords) | Armageddon (Piano & Guitar Chords) | |
Arnold Schoenberg, Gerald Strang, Leonard Stein-Fundamentals of Musical Composition-Faber & Faber (1982) Book | ||
Around The Campfire Peter, Paul and Mary – Guitar songbook | Around The Campfire Peter Paul & Mary songbook | |
Arpeggios For The Modern Guitarist Tabs by Will Johnson | Arpeggios For The Modern Guitarist Tabs by Will Johnson | |
Arranging And Composing for the small ensemble Jazz R&B Jazz-Rock (by David Baker) | ||
Arrival Of The Birds from The Crimson Wing Mystery of the Flamingos piano solo | ||
Arrival Of The Birds The Theory of Everything – The Cinematic Orchestra Piano Solo | ||
Arrival Of The Birds The Theory of Everything Ending Scene Music – The Cinematic Orchestra Piano Solo | ||
Art Blakey And The Jazz Messanger Bobby Timmons – Moanin’ | ||
Art Of Composing Music (Published In London (1751) | ||
Art Of Gospel Guitar – El McMeen with Tablature | Gospel guitar | |
Art of Jazz improvisation book 3 Intermadiate by Bob Taylor | ||
Art Pepper Collection Solos Artist Transcriptions Saxophone | art pepper solos sheet music | |
Art Tatum As Time Goes By | ||
Art Tatum – Tiger Rag (Jazz Standard by the Original Dixieland Jass Band) (piano sheet music) | Art Tatum – Tiger Rag (Jazz Standard by the Original Dixieland Jass Band) (piano sheet music) | |
Art Tatum – All The Things You Are | ||
Art Tatum – Cherokee | ||
Art Tatum – Gershwin – The Man I Love (Piano as played by) | Art Tatum Gershwin The-Man-I-Love-Piano | |
Art Tatum – Jazz Piano solos Vol. 2 | Art Tatum Jazz piano solos vol. 2 | |
Art Tatum – New Beginnings A Piano Imrovisation | Art Tatum – New Beginnings A Piano Imrovisation | |
Art Tatum – Tea For Two (Sheet Music) (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Art Tatum – Tiger Rag (Sheet Music) (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Art Tatum – Too Marvelous for Words The Life and Genius of Art Tatum (Book by James Lester) | ||
Art Tatum 5 Jazz Piano Solos transcribed By Frank Paparelli | Art Tatum 5 Jazz Solos By Frank Paparelli – 1944 Songbook | |
Art Tatum Artist Transcriptions Solo Book | Art Tatum | |
Art Tatum Improvisations Piano sheet music | Art Tatum Improvisations Piano sheet music | |
Art Tatum Jazz Arr. Begin The Beguine (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Art Tatum Jazz Arr. Cole Porte Begin The Beguine | ||
Art Tatum New Beginnings (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Art Tatum Stormy Weather Ted Koehler – Harold Arlen | T.Koehler-H.Arlen – Stormy Weather (arr. A.Tatum) | |
Art Tatum Tea For Two (Vincent Youmans) | ||
Arthur A. Reblitz – Piano servicing, tuning, and rebuilding for the professional, the student, and the hobbyist | ||
Artic Monkeys – Only Ones Who Know | ||
Artie Shaw – Jazz Technic Book 1 Scales and Exercises | Artie Shaw – Jazz Technic Book 1 Scales and Exercises | |
Artie Shaw – Clarinet Method | ||
Artie Shaw – Concerto for Clarinet for solo Bb Clarinet with Piano accompaniment | ||
Artie Shaw – Moonglow Clarinet sheet music | ||
Artie Shaw His Life And Music by John White (Book) Biography | ||
Artpop Lady Gaga Songbook | ||
Arturo Sandoval – Sandunga Alto Sax | Arturo Sandoval – Sandunga Alto Sax | |
Arturo Sandoval – Trumpet Method | ||
Arvo Part Fratres Piano Sheet music | ||
Arvo Pärt Partita For Piano, Op 2 (1960) | ||
Arvo Pärt Spiegel Im Spiegel (Violoncello And Piano) | ||
Arvo Part Summa for Strings | Arvo Part Summa for Strings | |
Arvo Part – Fur Alina Variations | Arvo Part – Fur Alina Variations | |
Arvo Pärt – Zwei Sonatinen Für Klavier Op. 1 | ||
Arvo Pärt Out Of Silence (Peter C. Bouteneff) Book | ||
Arvo Pärt Sounding The Sacred Book by Peter C. Bouteneff Jeffers Engelhardt Robert Saler | ||
Arvo Pärt Spiegel Im Spiegel (arranged for Piano Solo) | Arvo Pärt – Spiegel Im Spiegel (arranged for Piano Solo) | |
Arvo Pärt Spiegel Im Spiegel Violin Piano | ||
Ary Barroso – Amor Fatal Fox triste (piano) | ||
Ary Barroso – Aquarela Do Brasil (Samba) Guitar Solo | ||
Ary Barroso – Aquarela Do Brasil (Samba) Guitar Solo TABs | ||
Ary Barroso – Aquarela Do Brasil (Samba) Guitar Solo.mscz | ||
Ary Barroso – Aquarela do Brasil Piano Vocal | Ary Barroso-Aquarela do Brasil | |
Ary Barroso – Tenho Saudade! Samba Cançao (piano) | ||
Ary Barroso Aquarela Do Brasil Arr Carlos Barbosa Lima for guitar | Ary Barroso Aquarela Do Brasil Arr Carlos Barbosa Lima for guitar | |
Ary Barroso Guitar 1 songbook (arr. by Almir Chediak) | Ary Barroso Guitar 2 songbook (arr. by Almir Chediak) | |
Ary Barroso Guitar 2 songbook (arr. by Almir Chediak) | Ary Barroso Guitar 2 songbook (arr. by Almir Chediak) | |
As 101 Melhores Canções Do Século XX – Vol 2 – Almir Chediak (Guitar) | As 101 Melhores Canções Do Século XX – Vol 2 | |
As 101 melhores cançoes do século XX Vol. 1 (Almir Chediak) | As 101 Melhores Canções Do Século XX – Vol 2 | |
As Time Goes By (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Ashanti – The Way That I Love | ||
Asking you (Green Card OST) Hans Zimmer | ||
Assassin’s Creed Rogue – Main Theme | ||
ASSASSINS – The Musical Sondheim-Weidman (Piano & Vocal) | ASSASSINS – The Musical Sondheim-Weidman (Piano & Vocal) | |
Assassins Creed 2 – Ezios Family | ||
Assassins Creed III Main Theme | ||
Astor Piazolla – Adios Nonino | ||
Astor Piazolla Libertango Violin And Piano | Astor Piazolla Libertango Violin And Piano | |
Astor Piazzola – Libertango (piano arr.) | ||
Astor Piazzola – Libertango (Piano Solo) | ||
Astor Piazzola – Play Piazzolla 13 Tangos By Astor Piazzolla EASY GUITAR ARR. | Astor Piazzola – Play Piazzolla 13 Tangos By Astor Piazzolla EASY GUITAR ARR. |
The four pillars of Bach’s world were the Fugue. Canon, Chorale, and Chorale Prelude. All of these improvisations were built on these four forms. In most instances the lyrics helped define which of the four forms would b the most illuminating to the melody of each song. Then came the decision of which kind of mood should be portrayed. The use of counterpoint interacting between melody and harmony was essential in creating the appropriate mood to support each melody.
As the opening selection. “Imagine” is improvised in the style of a toccata, using melodic and rhythmic imitations to set the spirit of these interpretations.
The three-note melodic phrase in “All You Need ls Love” provides the chorale in this chorale prelude selection. The continuous sixteenth note accompaniment flows along while from time to time the Chorale melody appears. The strong melodic line in “Hey Jude” required an equally strong accompanying figure. The style and nobility of the French Overtures helped inspire this improvisation. The purity of the long, sorrowful line in “Because” reminded me of the slow movements of Bach’s concerti. The ensemble and voicing of this three-part counterpoint, plus the unexpected harmonic progressions, show the sophistication of The Beatles’ music.
The lyrics of “Let It Be” expressed a certain peace and tranquility. The beautiful, melodic line in “The Long And Winding Rod” reminded me of the strength and passion found in the chorales. The development of this improvisation uses the form of a Chorale Prelude, ending with another version of the previously improvised chorale.”Penny Lane” ends the first side in a lively, spirited “gigue.”
Side II opens with one of the most popular songs ever. ”Yesterday.” The opening phrases of the Brandenburg Concerto #J, seemed fitting and right for the introduction to this improvisation.
With Michelle l sought a dramatic contrast from the original smooth, romantic version of the song. The lyrics once again helped to set the mood and define the form of Nowhere Man. The undulating and brooding accompaniment gives support to this beautifully simple and pure melody. The drive and Hf e in the melodic line of And I Love Her gave me the essential idea for this improvisation.
An improvised canon, using a nine-note phrase from “Golden Slumbers” serves as the introduction to this improvisation. In Bach’s music the repetition of a single note gives a certain kind of strength and direction to the phrase.
In the improvisation on Something the com bi nation of the harmonic strength, with the repeated notes in the melody, dictated a strict and grander interpreation.
The long lyrical and soaring melody in Here, There and Everywhere gave me a chance to set this improvisation in a simple and pastoral way. I find this one of the most complete and satisfying songs by The Beatles.
During the evolution and recording of this album, I felt a journey had been taken … through the music of the 60s and 70s, and through the life of one of the most thrilling and vibrant composers of all time. The finality and completeness of the Aria from the Goldberg Variations with the
humility of Imagine brought me a sense of fulfillment and Joy!
John Bayless
John Bayless was born and raised in Texas though his musical roots extend to New York, specifically Broadway, the home of the great theatrical composers George Gershwin. Cole Porter and Richard Rodgers, whom Bayless plays and loves. Bayless is also a trained classical pianist and composer, and a graduate of the Julliard School.
In 1980, he made his Carnegie Hall debut, performing his own piano concerto with the Orchestra of New York. This led to future commissions from the Newport Music Festival and the University of Maryland Piano Competition.
In 1983, Bayless received his master’s degree from New York University’s prestigious program in musical theatre. Bayless’s first musical, Grand Duchy, was given a staged reading at New York’s Playwrights Horizon and will go into production in early 1985. Bayless has also recently been asked by London’s Royal Academy of Music to create a study program in improvisation.
Mr. Bayless has recently recorded two digital albums for Pro Arte, the other entitled Happy Birthday, Bach features improvisations on the
theme ‘Happy Birthday’ in the style of J.S. Bach, Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven and several other composers.