Variation on Pathetique - JR covers Beethoven

[Hook]

Wonderful brother! However, i can't get through a refrain without singing the chorus of "This Night" from Billy Joel.
Rock on!

[Johnny Robbo]

Dear John,

As usual you find something to astound me with.

I don't know the piece, so when I started listening I thought I heard you hit a bum note or two near the start. Is it because its in an unusual key? So, I listened to the youtube and its in that as well, so you must be being faithful to the music. Can you explain what I am hearing? Or do I just have a tin ear?

Ian

Well spotted, Ian! I know EXACTLY which bit you mean - at the end of the 4th bar of the main melody. It's an Eb played over a D chord. It serves as a very tense sounding passing note (a flat 9th) leading up to the E note in the C major chord which follows. I almost changed it to a D note, but by the time I'd finished the tune it had begun to sound "normal" so I left it as is.

As you say it's in the original so my conscience is clear. If you listen to the harmonised verse near the end, you'll notice I left this note un-harmonised as it just didn't accept a harmony note well at all.

[Johnny Robbo]

Wonderful brother! However, i can't get through a refrain without singing the chorus of "This Night" from Billy Joel.
Rock on!

I hear what you mean... I reckon Mr. Joel must have heard Beethoven at some point. Maybe when he was having piano lessons as a kid, perhaps?

Just checked & it seems that a Mr. "L V Beethoven" is listed as the co-writer of This Night... you learn something new every day 

[bruno]

Hell yes - super arrangement indeed - a joy to listen to.
B

[Mach]

Schweet! You are a master at your craft John. This is something else and flows so beautifully.
Time to put my guitars up on craigslist. Excellent Job!

Mach

[kenny mac]

Wowwwwwwwww amazing,your on another level mate,I'm in awe of your talent,I feel,,,,,inadequate lol.
Great performance mate.