Haji, Hiroshi : Seiko Matsuda Instruments
Work Overview
First Publisher:ドレミ楽譜出版社
Instrumentation:Piano Solo
Genre:pieces
Total Playing Time:2 hr 10 min 00 sec
Commentary (1)
Author : Nishihara, Masaki
Last Updated: October 4, 2023
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Author : Nishihara, Masaki
This is an arrangement for piano solo, featuring 15 songs from all A-sides of Seiko Matsuda's singles released from her debut in 1980 to 1983, plus 17 selected songs from single B-sides and album tracks. At the time of its 1983 release, the selection was as comprehensive as one could wish for, and it remains a valuable collection today for its ability to provide a comprehensive overview of Seiko Matsuda's early masterpieces. Hiroshi Hajime, who arranged all the pieces, was well-versed in jazz and pop music, while also possessing academic classical composition skills, having studied under Komei Abe. Here, a method is employed to organically integrate the vocal and accompaniment parts, transcribing them into the idiom of classical piano while retaining the original key. It is also noteworthy that the arrangements show utmost respect for the original arrangements crafted by an array of distinguished arrangers, including Masaaki Omura, Masataka Matsutoya, Bannai Tarao (an alias of Eiichi Ohtaki), and Kazuo Shinoda. Hiroshi Hajime's exceptional score-reading ability is fully reflected in the piano scores. Considering the recent trend of piano arrangements that, due to complex copyright considerations, deviate from original arrangements and instead create new versions using only melodies and chords, this collection can be described as an exceptionally luxurious arrangement from the 1980s. Technically, it is neither too easy nor too difficult, written naturally and without strain as piano pieces. Once one masters the unique rhythmic feel of pop music, they can approach these pieces with the same method as playing classical or romantic era compositions. Playing these pieces for a change of pace, one after another, is so enjoyable that one might inadvertently lose track of time.