Richie Beirach Compositions/Reharms

 

Beirach.pdf

“Green Reflections (Waterlilies # 4)” can be found on Richie´s solo recording “Waterlilies” with songs and improvisations inspired by the Monet paintings. There is a printed version and Richie´s handwritten version containing slightly more information. The impressionistic painting leads to a composition that features Richie´s incorporation of 21st century music in his style.
 
“The Pearl” can be found on the very early ECM recording “Hubris” and on the solo record “Ballads II” and I included both versions as lead sheets. It is representative for the romantic part of Richie´s style.
 
Finally some reharms and rearrangements:
 
“Stella By Starlight”: Reharm with a modal solo section. Recorded by Richie many times.
 
“Des Pas Sur La Neige (Footprints In The Snow)”: Richie wrote his reharm chords directly into the piano score of this famous Debussy composition. Recorded on the solo record “Sunday Songs” and on the Venus recording “No Borders”. Again both highly recommended recordings, especially for everyone who is interested in how classical material can be authentically transformed into Jazz music. See also:
 
“Prelude Op. 16 No. 4 – Scriabin”: Handwritten reharms in the piano score and handwritten lead sheet. See the ACT recording “Round About Bartok”
 
“Moonlight In Vermont”: Reharm in double time. Recorded on George Mraz´ “Jazz”
 
“All The Things You Are”: Reharm, more in a slow ballad style, see the “Live At Mayback Recital” recording and “Universal Mind” with Andy Laverne and Richie´s “What Is This Thing Called Love” on Venus records.

Nardis: This is a transcription of Richie´s “Elegy For Bill Evans” recording with George Mraz on bass and Al Foster on drums. A highly recommended recording. The transcription was done by “some Japanese student” of Richie many years ago, so I don´t have to take any credits for that. Some of Richies approaches can be understood best when he uses them on a standard form.

-notes by Stephan van Briel