COLORS - Code Geass OP [piano]

So COLORS....

= = = = = About the Piece = = = = =
First off, the difficulty is off the charts for me. I don't know why Animenz's original didn't land in his top 10 but this "culmination" version, is very difficult for me. To me, It's harder than Animenz's Unravel. This is because of the generally fast tempo, the jumps, arpeggios, scales, thirds, sixths, Godowsky, and other crazy things.

It bears many similarities to Animenz's and my original sheets so I consider it a joint effort; in other words, a conglomeration of our ideas. He provided the structure and texture that I needed, and I further processed them while adding some jazzy twists and insane runs.

I changed elements around, to make the musical patterns more coherent ---- you'll know if you scrutinize and understand the sheets.

The middle section, also has more thirds and probably the same amount of sixths (just relocated to the end).

Towards the end, I've done something unique. I used ideas similar to a Godowsky etude (based off Chopin's original studies) in the left hand while maintaining the melody in the right. So you could say the difficulty momentarily surpassed that of a Chopin-Godowsky etude. (CAN ANYONE NAME THE GODOWSKY ETUDE?)
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

I experimented with the ending by making the original segue into a "fading run" which ends abruptly.

I had a lot of ideas and they came to fruition here. I'm sure it's the same for Animenz. Together, we were able to discover new sounds in the process. This is why I value collaboration or even "teamwork" for larger collabs. You get to explore different ideas and arguably, you have a better chance at crafting your vision into reality, just as you would in reaching the Everest summit in a team.

= = = == History = = = = =
This piece has a relatively long history. I recall that being excited for Animenz's version in 2013 but things happened and I decided to arrange it myself in 2015 spring. Back then, I had no recording equipment so I asked Animenz to try my despairingly difficult sheets. In the end, he took the essence of my sheets and created his own impression of COLORS.

Well a year passed...he also did the same with Sayonara Memories, except since it was even harder, he had no choice but to nerf everything (things sound great in theory/midi, but in practice, it's not that neat) and ultimately, he also arranged his own version.

I thought it would be a waste if I didn't a least upload one of the two ---- but this time, arranged as I envisioned. COLORS was the lesser of the two evils so I decided to nerf it, using the essences of both Animenz's and my original sheets.

Nerfing it lowered the difficulty to a purgatory between advanced and insane. I kept practicing for a day but my left hand started to hurt in 2 ways: 1) dull pain emerged in my palm since I made many attempts at recording (which naturally means, I had to play the black key glissando a lot), 2) my left index fingernail chipped away leaving less protection.

In the end, though the take probably isn't the extent of my potential, this was the best I could manage with the pain before I had to call it a day. No matter what, I had to move on ---- from both perfection and the past.

= = = = = About the Recording = = = = =
How's the sound?
How's the video? Let me know what you think in the comments below!

I switched the camera angle since 1) I didn't want to take off the sheet rack and 2) the plastic wrap looks a little odd.

= = = = =Final Words = = = = =
Thank you, Animenz for being a pianist bro. It's hard to believe 2.5 years have passed since we met at Steinway Gallery in California. Time flies, and "life goes on." The community and I will miss your covers and tweets as you go offline the coming year.

Thank you, Godowsky and Chopin, for creating enduring works that inspire us.
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Sheets + midi: http://sheet.host/sheet/yHAX2P
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrisluan.piano
Sheethost: http://sheet.host/user/chrisluan
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COLORS
Code Geass OP (コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ OP)
Piano rearrangement by Chris Luan (阮克理)
Based off arrangements by Animenz and Chris Luan (阮克理)
Original Artist: FLOW
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Update (10.9.16): Sheets updated (Bar 45)

Видео COLORS - Code Geass OP [piano] канала Chris Luan