KP5 = Chopin Preludes (Opus 28) Transformed

The goal of this project is to re-imagine and re-interpret the Chopin Preludes with a combination of piano, violin, and synthesizer elements. This project was suggested by my brother, Rex Baker, who will contribute piano parts and composition ideas, while I will be adding violin, synthesizer and mixing.

Why Chopin Preludes?:

 Chopin had an interesting creative life, and the Preludes were the short and sweet pieces from an interesting early development period. They included every key, so there are 24 unique pieces. This 24 piece approach is fertile ground for imitation and inspiration. If Chopin were to suddenly re-appear and wish to refresh his style, this is the imaginary scenario we are working on. Classical music transformed. 

What is the expected result?:

 It's is difficult to predict the output of this project, but it will be interesting to hear violin added to a Chopin framework if nothing else. The pieces will be inevitably longer than the original, the piano parts will change dramatically, and hopefully the pieces will be interesting for both intellectual and emotional attributes. There is no intention of keeping true to Chopin for style, precision, melody, or mood. We are "jamming with Chopin", and we hope those who love Chopin's music will find enrichment. 

Workflow Ideas:

1. Analyzing for Compositional Ideas:

Take each piece one at time, and in no particular order, and analyze, improvise, and synthesize ideas from the original. Find at least one element in the original piece that inspires or evokes ideas as a starting point for further development.

For example:

• Simplify a run into a chord pattern.
• Embellish a phrase.
• Change a phrase to a rhythmic pattern, and keep some of the notes.
• Sample the original to turn into beats.
• Develop interesting harmonic relationships between piano and violin.
• Keep the mood, key and tempo, but change everything else, etc.
• Change different variables, like a math problem.

2. Simplified Workflow for recording piano, violin, drum, synthesizer parts:

• Note key signature, tempo, and analyze chord information using CAPO app (Mac OS X 10.8 machine). 
• Import original into Logic as a "header" track after setup project with original tempo.
• Setup cycle recording for violin track after the "header" track.
• Copy the original in the violin track cycle region.
• Record multiple-takes of violin, synth, piano, etc, with original track to explore ideas.
• Isolate violin-track and record additional synth, piano, and/or drum ideas without the original piano track.
• This is a combination of composing and mixing.
• Post and share for comment and input.
• Apply the analytical process outlined in 1. and select elements to explore further. Make outline, mind-map, flow-chart, etc. if helpful.
• Create a new project for re-composing based on draft mixes, new tempo, and analytical ideas.
• Recreate, re-record, as required.
• Include guest-collaboration tracks if possible. 
• Prepare final mix.
• Post and share for comment and input.
• Create a YouTube video, for example. 

Examples from Prelude in C-Maj (recorded 9/28/12; starts with original track as a "header" first, then goes into violin + original

chopin-remix-opus28-1-Agitato-Cmaj-violin-v1.mp3

*Play 1

chopin-remix-opus28-1-Agitato-Cmaj-violin-v2.mp3

*Play 2

chopin-remix-opus28-1-Agitato-Cmaj-violin-v3.mp3

 

*Play 3

chopin-remix-opus28-1-Agitato-Cmaj-violin-v4.mp3

*Play 4