But then suddenly out of nowhere, a jazz chord with four notes erupted jarringly from the fabric of the piece. C7#5 is not your usual harmonic choice for a simplified version of any song let alone one from the late 1800's.
Whoever made this "simplified" arrangement did that song no favors.
Making a simplified version of a song can be very tricky. You have to analyze the original material and take away a lot of characteristic elements in order to make it easier to play or sing. Unfortunately, many arrangers who make simplified versions remove too much, or take away the wrong ingredients. This poor song was left with an identity crisis. It didn't have enough elements left to give it any personality whatsoever, except for that one jarring C7#5 chord. Because it was so singular, it just didn't belong!
I really appreciate inspired arrangers who can keep the essential elements of a song while making it easier to play or sing, especially for beginning students. I remember accompanying a Junior High School Chorus once when they sang a simplified version of "Dies Irae" from the Mozart Requiem. I had sung the "Requiem" with full orchestra and choir before and knew first hand its intricacies The simplified version that the Jr. High chorus did was truly remarkable. The right elements were kept and all seemed perfectly suited to young voices with just a piano for accompaniment.
During the year and a half of COVID isolation, I wrote a lot of simplified arrangements of Hymns, Christmas pop songs, Disney songs by Alan Menken, and even Beatles tunes. I sure hope I left the songs with their personalities intact. I played some of the songs for my oldest son and he gave me the perfect compliment. He said, "Mom, I don't hear anything missing."
Enjoy playing these simplified solo and duet arrangements!
Easy Piano Hymn Duets
Easy Piano Christmas Pop Duets
Easy Disney Piano Solos
Easy Beatles Piano Solos