Burt Bacharach

I was watching Glee the other evening.  This season has not come up to the level of high quality of other seasons.  That being said last week's episode zeroed in on the music of Burt Bacharach.  Burt Bacharach was a pianist and composer.  He was a real star of the sixties and seventies, but even now his music is timeless.

After hearing Lea Michele of Glee sing Promises, Promises, I took a moment to find my book of Burt Bacharach piano music.  The book was in my piano music bookshelf, and looking at it is worn.  It has pictures of Mr. Bacharach and Hal David his lyricist on the front cover.

Taking the book out, and opening it up brought back a lot of memories.  Looking at the various songs, I noticed that none of the music was that challenging to play.  In fact I often have believed that a great song, doesn't always have amazing accompaniment.  The truly great song can stand on it's own quite simply with a single melody line.  Think of songs like Always or Time after Time.

For instance, the waltz tempo of  "What the World Needs Now" makes this song wonderful.  The song can be played quite simply on the piano, and was originally performed with tuba accompaniment.  I always think of this song as one I would begin or end with, if I was a piano player at Von Maur Department Store.

The Bacharach book of music also contained the 5th Dimension hit, One Less Bell to Answer.  I can only imagine when playing it that Marilyn McCoo is belting it out, with her absolutely amazing voice.

The Carpenters' Close to You was also in the book, and I had forgotten it was written by Mr. Bacharach.  There is also the beautiful ballad A Message to Michael.  In naming my son Michael, I often think of that ballad.

Again, if you are a pianist amateur or professional, you should look through your music shelves, you might be able to bring a great memory to the forefront of your mind.  You also might have an opportunity to work on your sight reading, even if it is only a half hour before you have to make dinner, or help your children with your home work.

Again, as with any great composer, it is a privilege to be able to play the music created by them.