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Derivation of a Beautiful Piano Intro Solo?

This question has been discussed at great length in another forum, but no one knows the answer. I’m hoping that the more sophisticated, experienced jazz and classical fans here might know the answer. The opening (intro) piano solo on Bruce Springsteen’s “New York City Serenade” (from the album The Wild, the Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle) is gorgeous (IMHO, as a fan of classical, jazz, and a lot of other music). I also know that it is somewhat derivative, because I remember hearing at least part of it on – I believe – a Charles Mingus composition. Someone in the other forum believes that it is derived from some unknown classical composition (of course, maybe Mingus used a classical piece as a starting point for his piece).

Does anyone know the derivation of this beautiful music ? Thanks !
jfz
12 responses Add your response
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,165 posts
 
there are only 7 notes and they can be "borrowed" from anything and anyone's composition.

For example, Celine Dion, in song "All by myself" obviously "borrowed" an entire passage from 2nd movement of Rachmaninov's 2nd Piano Concerto. The great composer himself can not really complain about it for known reasons.
So that's how it is. Why reinvent the wheel?
Oh, and by the way, that's music(I mean Rachmaninov's piano concerto).
What Springsteen has in this intro is some sort of Billy Joel-like cheap commercial piano works.
I highly doubt it is "taken" from classical music because I doubt Springsteen even knows this genre exists.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,279 posts
 
"What Springsteen has in this intro is some sort of Billy Joel-like cheap commercial piano works."...

oh wait, Celine Dion is "high art"?
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,279 posts
 
PS -
Jfz - I'll be checking out NYC Serenade tonight for sure and the intro in particular. For me, 4th of July is one of my favorite tracks on "The Wild, the Innocent...".
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
It was Eric Carmen with the "All By Myself." I recall hearing that song at a friends house (1976?). The phrase sounded familiar so went home to search for that phrase. Found it on the Rachmaninov. I believe Carmen gave credit on the album.
"Wild Billy's Circus Story" is my favorite cut on The Wild The Innocent And The E Street Shuffle. Probably my favorite Springsteen album.
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,165 posts
 
Ghost, the opposite.
Celine Dion was mentioned as an example of how incapable these artists are to compose their own music. You missed the point.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,279 posts
 
Audphile 1 - I guess I did miss your point but still don't agree!
jfz OP
570 posts
 
This was a sincere request on my part for specific information about what I consider beautiful and emotional music (which was stated as being in my humble opinion; i.e., it simply IS *for me*). It's upsetting, and demoralizing, to have you respond in a way that feels so sarcastic and denigrating, Audphile1. After initially feeling angry, I now feel sorry for you. And by the way, I *guarantee* you Springsteen knows far more about classical and jazz than just that they exist.
shadorne's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
shadorne
7,467 posts
 
If you are looking for a beautiful piano piece and classical overtones in heavy rock then look at Bohemian Rhapsody. Freddie was trained as a classical pianist and as an opera singer. Although it is simple like "Fur Elise" it is quite obvious from this piece that Freddie knows the genre. The live piece from Queen at Wembly is quite impressive as you realize he really can play.

Contrary to what some people have said it is the simplest melodies that are sometimes the hardest to create....complexity is easy. As with a great drummer - they know how to do just enough but no more...
objective1
95 posts
 
JFZ..... Sorry I can't help you and especially for the ridiculous path of this thread.

I also would have enjoyed discovering some excellent piano jazz from someone knowledgeable enough to recognize the passage, and intelligent enough to actually respond to your question.
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,165 posts
 
ridiculous path? that's good. Cause Springsteen is ridiculous.
Anyway, for nice piano music, check out one example - Lynne Arriale trio, "Arise", track "The Fallen". Very good stuff.
slothman
311 posts
 
Audphile1 - your comments in this thread are crediting the wrong person.

The intro to “New York City Serenade” was an improvisation performed by David Sancious. The ridiculous path of his classical piano training and inspirational derivatives are quite apparent in his performances on recordings by fools such as Stanley Clarke, Narada Michael Walden, Zucchero Fornaciari, Peter Gabriel, and Sting among many others.
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,165 posts
 
Darn....I knew this was way too complex for Bruce...
But thanks for the heads up.
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