Rocherolle, Eugenie Ricau : Mancini Classics
Work Overview
First Publisher:Hal Leonard
Instrumentation:Piano Solo
Genre:Various works
Total Playing Time:14 min 00 sec
Commentary (1)
Author : Nishihara, Masaki
Last Updated: July 12, 2021
[Open]
Author : Nishihara, Masaki
This album features piano solo arrangements of representative masterpieces by the film music maestro, Henry Mancini. It is considered suitable for intermediate players and is easy to play. Mancini originally studied at the Juilliard School, where he was taught by figures such as Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco and Ernst Krenek, laying the foundation for his compositions with techniques acquired through traditional classical education. Here, too, in pieces like "How Soon", a romantic aspect reminiscent of Chopin is emphasized in the piano arrangements, making them accessible even to those with a classical background. Rocherolle belongs to the generation that watched these classic films on the big screen in real-time. His delicate touch shines through, fully internalizing the cinematic worldview and even capturing the subtle nuances of the lyrics. This is likely what sets his arrangements apart from the mediocre. In "Days of Wine and Roses", the halting narrative beautifully expresses the depth, sweetness, and bitterness of adult reminiscence. In "Moon River", the extremely pared-down notes evoke infinite emotion. It is an aesthetic of negative space. Among the countless arrangements of this piece, I would highlight this one as particularly profound.
Track List
- 1. Baby Elephant Walk (from the Paramount Picture HATARI!) [1962] Moderately fast, 4/4. C major
- 2. Charade (from Charade) [1963] Moderate Waltz, 3/4, G minor
- 3. Days of Wine and Roses (from Days of Wine and Roses) [1962] Lyrics by Johnny Mercer, Moderately, 4/4, F major
- 4. Dear Heart (from Dear Heart) [1964] Moderate Waltz, 3/4, G major
- 5. How Soon (Theme from The Richard Boone Show) [1964] Words by Al Stillman, Moderately slow, 2/2, E flat major
- 6. Inspector Clouseau Theme (from The Pink Panther Strikes Again) [1976] Lively, 4/4, A minor
- 7. It Had Better Be Tonight (from The Pink Panther) [1963] Moderate Samba, 2/2, G minor
- 8. Moment to Moment (from Moment to Moment) [1965] English Lyrics by Johnny Mercer, Italian Lyrics by Franco Migliacci, Slowly, tenderly, 2/2, A minor
- 9. Moon River (from the Paramount Picture Breakfast at Tiffany’s) [1961] Words by Johnny Mercer, Slowly, 3/4, D major