An ingenious adaptation (arrangement) of a Ravel
piano piece surely classifies as an original guitar
piece, as original as a branle from the Treasures of
Orpheus. It depends on how well you transform it into a
guitaristic idiom. And how much more original can you
get than Ravel's arrangement of Mussorgsky's piano pieces?
Hi Arthur,
I wish you could
convince Mel Bay Pub. of that. :) I tried to explain to them that my
arrangement
of American folk songs, I call the piece "Pioneer Suite", should be
considered an original composition, especially since I worked in original
material
along with the traditional melodies. I think Brahm's "Hungarian Dances" is a
good
example of an original work based on traditional music. However, Mel Bay
pays higher royalties on original works, so it's not in their best interest to
look at it that way. I'm not really complaining, just using this as an
example; there's no money in this biz anyway. :)
I made an arrangement of a Ravel Pavane that came out very well, but I
wouldn't feel right calling it an original work for guitar by James Edwards...
It
certainly is an act of creativity though, and I think good arrangements are
valid on the concert stage or anywhere. I do wish Mozart had written for the
guitar though. :)
James
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