I Love a Piano: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Music by Irving Berlin / arr. Don Besig and Nancy Price
Item: 00-PO-0003477
$2.20
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Don Besig and Nancy Price have done it again! It's a partner song with one of Irving Berlin's all-time favorites: "I Love a Piano". Don and Nancy's clever text fits perfectly with their bouncy new melody, and both complement the original tune. The piano accompaniment calls for two players at one piano. Or use the SoundTrax cassette which features a ragtime piano and banjo feel.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
16
SKU:
00-PO-0003477
More about this title
About the Composer: Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin (1888-1989) stands as one of America's most prolific and versatile composers, having written over 1,000 songs across stage, film, and popular music during a career spanning eight decades. His gift for melody and his ability to capture the spirit of an era made him a defining voice in American musical theater and popular song, from "Alexander's Ragtime Band" to "White Christmas" to "God Bless America." Berlin's work remains central to American musical identity and continues to serve as a rich resource for music educators seeking authentic period material.
What makes Berlin's catalog invaluable in choral and instrumental education is the accessibility of his melodies combined with their harmonic sophistication. His songs invite both straightforward interpretations and creative arrangements, making them equally at home in a general music class, a pop repertoire concert, or a period-study unit on American songwriting.
Why we love this
Besig and Price have crafted an arrangement that honors Berlin's original without simply repeating it. The partner song structure keeps both groups engaged with their own melodic line while the musical dialogue between them creates natural energy and surprise. For a 2-part choir, this offers sophisticated harmonic texture with genuine character without overextending singers' ranges.
What to expect
Nostalgic warmth meets playful energy. The ragtime idiom and partner song structure create a conversation between the old and new, with Berlin's original melody shining through while Besig and Price's tune brings fresh color and forward motion. There's joy here, and a hint of vaudeville charm.
Who it's for
This arrangement works well for developing choirs, youth ensembles, and adult groups comfortable with partner song independence. The 2-part voicing keeps it accessible while the nostalgic material and theatrical character appeal to singers who enjoy repertoire with personality and historical roots.
How to get the most out of it
- Clarify which section sings which melody during rehearsal with a color-coded score or separate sectional runs. The partner song format requires confident independence, especially when the original tune and new melody occur simultaneously.
- If using the piano accompaniment with two players, schedule a joint rehearsal beforehand so both pianists establish their part clearly and can lock into the ragtime idiom together.
- Shape the ragtime feel through articulation and slight rhythmic lift rather than tempo swings. Berlin's ragtime should bounce, not rush.
- Bring recorded accompaniment into later rehearsals to help singers feel secure over the full texture before performance.
How to use it
This pairs naturally with other early 20th-century American material in a nostalgia or Americana concert. Consider pairing it with other Berlin standards or adjacent popular songs from the same era to build a thematic program. Its upbeat character and staging possibilities also make it ideal for a pops concert or a family audience show where accessibility and good humor matter.
Skills your students will build
- Singing independent melodic lines in a partner song format
- Maintaining secure intonation while listening to contrasting melodies
- Interpreting ragtime rhythmic character and articulation
- Ensemble balance between melody and accompaniment texture
- Responding to movement and staging cues while singing