Hubby, Firebird!!!

Sometimes, a new arrangement in our house begins very seriously.

And sometimes, it begins with me saying:

“Hubby, Firebird!!!”

A while ago, I became very enthusiastic about the idea of Scott arranging Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite for piano four hands. It is one of those pieces that feels almost impossible to resist: vivid, dramatic, colorful, and full of orchestral fire.

Of course, the challenge is that it was written for orchestra. That means there are many layers, many instrumental colors, and many musical decisions to make before it can become something two people can play at one piano.

But that is also what makes these projects so exciting for us.

When Scott makes a four-hand arrangement from an orchestral score, he has to decide what matters most at every moment. Which line needs to sing? Which rhythm needs to drive the music forward? Which color can be suggested through the piano, even though the original sound belonged to winds, brass, strings, or percussion?

It is not simply “reducing” an orchestra into a piano score. It is more like translating one musical language into another.

And because we play these arrangements ourselves, the process is never only theoretical. We are always asking: Does this feel natural under the hands? Can the audience still hear the character of the original piece? Does the piano version have its own life?

This past week, we released a short video from Firebird, and it made me smile to think back to that original little moment of persuasion:

“Hubby, Firebird!!!”

Now, of course, I may already be moving on to my next suggestion.

“Hubby, Pictures!!!”

As in Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.

No pressure, Scott.

Well… maybe a little.