Still under the weather (would you believe it) ... so, a few days ago, I re-watched the stunning movie by (and featuring) Roberto Benigni, Life Is Beautiful. It's essentially a dark but uplifting comedy designed to show just how horrid and absurd all those Nazi theories of race supremacy, etc., are.

Anyway, in the movie, the lead character and his future wife end up watching Offenbach's The Tales of Hoffmann at the opera - which, of course, features the stunning Barcarolle. Soon as I heard it again, I simply had to think to myself: "I wonder what I could do by way of a BIAB arrangement with it"?

So ... here it is :-) The BIAB style - the accompaniment - is _SUNRISE.STY (Sunrise Soul Jazz Piano Waltz). The horn solo sounds are from Sibelius/NotePerformer. It's nothing major, but I wanted to try my hand at it and create a version of my own that I could use copyright free (since the music IS in the public domain, but its various interpretations by top orchestras, etc., aren't). Hope you like it nevertheless :-)

Barcarolle (by Offenbach)

EDIT: just added an alternative, rock version, too :-)

Barcarolle (by Offenbach) - the rock version

Nicely done...
But I kind of wonder what it would sound like without the drums?
Good job!

I've given it a try without drums ... it sounds more intimate, but a little more empty, too. Also, in this style, the drums provide the syncopation needed to make it work - otherwise it's all a "1 and 3, 1 and 3" feel in both horns and accompaniment, which doesn't really work (if that makes any sense?).

However, I do agree that the drums get a little in the way ... maybe I need to find a new style that provides the syncopation in itself without the need for drums? I'll try! Thanks for your thought, you do have a point!

Nice work on this Musician17! Having this without drums would be quite interesting to listen to. Overall a very good progression. Well done!

Beautiful. I REALLY love light opera. I agree with the others that the drums spoil the feel of it. Could I suggest a less jazzier style ? New age Alberti piano or, celtic slow air ? I reckon would suite this with celtic slow strings. Maybe a slower tempo would also work. I'd be more than happy to come in on a collab with this if you're interested ?

I can see where removing the drums could certainly make it sound more intimate yet empty with this particular piece. It's always interesting to hear what removing one or two instruments does to a song. Thanks for taking the time to share this with us.

Thanks everybody! I tried a few other styles yesterday - and tried it without drums in its present style - without coming to what I would have found as a satisfactory result ... so I gave up for the day, haha. I will get back on it today and see what I can do!

The other thing about the drums is this: I'd like to keep a little bit of its "marching" feel, if possible. It's a beautiful, soft love song, this piece ... but, in the context of the movie above, it's also a little bit of a protest song - and that needs a little bit of "oomph", maybe? Having said that, if I could achieve that in a subtler way than having a drumbeat in the background, that would be great ... arrghh, haha ...

furry: Yes, if you can and want to come in for a collab on this, this would be absolutely brilliant, of course! Message me, either here or in private, and let's see what we can do? Thanks!

EDIT: just added an alternative rock version on this ... see what you think? :-)

Barcarolle (by Offenbach) - the rock version

Although I don't remember the original, I enjoyed this James! I love that movie.....incredibly beautiful film. Thanks for posting this! Take care. Greg