The Art of Arranging Classical Music for Accordion by Friedrich Lips This new book titled The Art of Arranging Classical Music for Accordion by Friedrich Lips is once again proving the genius of its author. Professor Lips has written books before, including The Art of Bayan Playing which was also an important contribution to the world of the accordion.  He has performed many hundreds of times and through his artistry has convinced and inspired myriads of composers to write outstanding compositions for him to perform. It also goes without saying that he is leaving a tremendous legacy of students for the world to hear.The Art of Arranging Classical Music for Accordion is much more than the title might lead one to believe; however, upon reading just a few pages, one soon realizes this is an encyclopedia of sorts, a lexicon, with understandable explanations. music examples, charts and historical reviews of musical instruments, music history, and composers. And while the title includes the word “accordion” this book is not only about the accordion; it is about many instruments and all their intricate workings which make them the musical instruments they are. Professor Lips leaves nothing to the imagination describing how the works originally composed for the harpsichord, piano, organ and even the violin can be performed with the best possible results on the accordion, perhaps with even better results than as originally meant to be performed! There are well-organized chapters of extremely interesting discussions about many instruments in addition to the accordion and musical history in general. He references works by 26 of the most prominent composers from various countries and centuries, with Johann Sebastian Bach and Domenico Scarlatti in particular.  Friedrich Lips as an active concert artist has performed hundreds of arrangements over a period of many years and has these experiences as a requisite for writing this book. He has done his research, he has proven it through his performances, and can now explain to all of us in precise and understandable words the basis of his work.Serious students of the accordion should read and study the words and thoughts conveyed in this book! Everything regarding your instrument is explained in depth as Professor Lips describes, discusses, and lays out very clearly the various registers in both treble and bass, articulation, bellows techniques of many types, instrument timbre, ranges, tuning, and vibrato among many other important topics. Whether you have a piano keyboard, a chromatic system of one kind or another, a bayan, a bandoneon…it really doesn’t matter; this book is one you will want to read and re-read many times. You will use it as you use any well-worn dictionary of music or treatise on a multitude of subjects related to music. This book will become one you will continue to learn from, one which will open your mind to the opportunities your instrument can give you, one with reasons for developing your repertoire and how to do so. It will give you many ideas! It cannot be stated too many times that this book is not only about arranging classical music for the accordion!  And, yes, even if you are not an accordionist but are interested in all music history, musical instruments, and music theory in general, you will also want to read this book. It is a thoroughly mesmerizing summation of how to better use the accordion (or perhaps any instrument) when making not just adequate arrangements from one instrument to another, but to make satisfying ones with inspiration and an excitement suitable to the period, the style, the original composition, and to the composer. Friedrich Lips shows many examples of how this can be accomplished with success.The Art of Bayan Playing by Friedrich Lips, ISBN 3-925572-04-X, mentioned above, is also published by Musikverlag Ulrich Schmülling. And like this new book it has over one hundred illustrations and drawings relating to technique, interpretation, and performance. (Available online Catalog: kslips00) The Art of Arranging Classical Music for Accordion by Friedrich Lips is the perfect book to be placed with great pride in every music library in the world. In fact, you might just buy both of the above-mentioned books plus extra ones for your own local library! Reviewed by Joan Cochran Sommers … June 2018 Other books available online written by Friedrich Lips: Catalog: kslips01 Die Kunst des Bajanspiels, Methodik und Didaktik des künstlerischen Akkordeonspiels Catalog: kslips02 Die Kunst der Bearbeitung klassischer Musik für Akkordeon |
by