classically inspired – Elena Fortin Music

Words and music by Francesco Sartori and Lucio Quarantotto; Arranged by Elena Fortin

Con Te Partirò (Time To Say Goodbye) Cover

This piece was made famous by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman–two classical artists that brought more mainstream listeners to this type of music. The piece has gone on to become something of a signature song for Mr. Bocelli.

The direct translation of “Con te Partirò” is “I’ll Leave with You”. English lyrics were changed to “Time to Say Goodbye”, making it one of those songs that has been used for weddings and funerals.

The piece has been translated into several different languages, and has topped the charts in several countries, been covered by many different performers, been sampled, and has been used in films, sports, and television.

For me, I chose to arrange this song because it has one of those beautiful melodies that is timeless and has staying power.

About the arrangement

This 5 page arrangement is written in the key of D major (2 sharps), with a modulation to the key of A major (3 sharps) towards the end of the song. The piece is a beautiful, expressive one and should be played cantabile (in a singing style). The arrangement explores sweeping arpeggios in the left hand, full chordal textures, rhythm figures of three notes vs. four notes or two notes, and is written in a classical style.

I often hear book authors comment that sometimes the characters in their books do the unexpected. I could say the same about this piece! I intended it to be a romantic-style interpretation, but I had been following news stories that turned the ending assertively in a Tchaikovsky-piano-concerto-like style… The ending is full of power and hope.

Video Performance

Purchase Information

Clicking on the link below will bring you to a new site: Sheet Music Plus. This arrangement is under copyright with the ArrangeMe program by Hal Leonard.

Sheet Music Plus – Con te Partirò – Time to Say Goodbye

Sheet Music Sample

Audio Sample

Four Variations on a Theme by Handel (Sarabande)

on Sarabande in D minor by Handel

Original Music by Elena Fortin

Variations on a Theme by Sarabande Cover

Handel wrote the Suite in D minor, HWV 437. The Sarabande is the fourth movement in the suite and is written as a theme with two variations. Generations of keyboard players have studied this piece.

It is still listed as a List A (Baroque) selection in the Royal Conservatory Examination List for Level 6. The series is redone every 7 years and I have seen it get brought back for edition after edition. It’s a favourite with teachers and students. I learned it many years ago for my Level 6 exam and it has always been one of my favourite pieces from the Baroque period: it is smooth, lyrical, and more expressive than most of the other choices from that era.

I started out with writing three variations as part of a creative challenge. The following year, I added an extra variation and published the sheet music.

About the arrangement

The original Sarabande was written as a Theme and Variations. The Theme was done in keyboard style: triads in the right hand, a simple bass line in the left hand. Handel’s first variation was contrapuntal in texture: weaving lines of melody made a beautiful horizontal line. Handel’s second variation is chords in the right hand and a left hand melodic bass line.

I used Handel’s theme and variations as a framework for my variations–using his harmonic framework as the structure for my variations.

Variation 1: is a moody waltz feel that turns the feel of the Sarabande into 3/4 meter with the pulse of a typical waltz: “strong-weak-weak”, with a touch of rubato (stretched, elastic time) thrown in to give a little bit more abandon.

Variation 2: is a military march-like interpretation of the theme. It has lots of leaps and accents and is a challenge to play!

Variation 3: is a departure from the 3/4 time with a switch into a contemporary, expressive-feeling 4/4 time signature with lots of suspended chords.

Variation 4: continues in the feel of a pulse of 4, this time turned into triplets. (I marked it as 12/8 time just for ease of writing). This variation is different–you can play it quickly in a stormy fashion, or slightly slower like a babbling brook.

Video Performance

Purchase Information

Clicking on the link below will bring you to a new site: Sheet Music Plus. This piece is an original piece and is under copyright by Elena Fortin Music.

Sheet Music Plus – Four Variations on a Sarabande by Handel

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