Gravity fr. Arnor Dan — Made in Abyss OST (Piano Cover) / Kevin Penkin

I have been looking at this soundtrack for a very long time. I am glad to finally be able to cover it. Kevin Penkin's music seems to force me to pull new tricks out of my hat all the time. Despite its difficulty I can proudly say I have produced some of my best work. I hope you enjoy it. As usual, sheet music is available by request via email, which you will find below. I have, not entirely frivolously, marked the starting tempo as "Adagio con gravita". I hope someone finds this funny. I find the opening section the most interesting. It feels like it wants to be a passacaglia, but sort of isn't (pay attention to the bassline and you will find that the second time around it's not the same; though it does correct itself subsequently). In any case there are many layers and different textures going on, and I've tried my best to capture that eclectic mix on the piano. For the lyrical sections at 1:47 and 2:58 I have chosen to be entirely faithful to the music, and so I prioritised the preservation of the secondary line played by the plucked string instrument (not sure what it is; perhaps a mellow lute). As such 2:00 proved quite challenging as there were four voices to balance, but I think it worked out. The first chorus at 2:20 derives its rhythmic propulsion from the syncopated drumbeat. I have endeavoured to convey this in the left hand accompaniment. I quite like the harmonies at 2:37. The second chorus at 4:07 is far more unrestrained. In fact I toned down the intensity of the first chorus to really hammer home the outpouring of emotion in the second. The left hand chordal jumps were not particularly easy, but I really wanted to evoke a waterfall of sound and this was the best way I found. I do find it quite ironic that in my previous arrangement (Recollect) I expressed a desire to create a left hand etude; meanwhile this entire arrangement has turned out to be my left hand etude. Let me comment on the ending a little. I have specified that the two chords at 5:14 are to be non-legato. This is significant for a reason I'm not sure how to explain. Also, in the original the last moments feature a rapid whir of running notes from the woodwinds. Through persistence and careful listening I have elucidated them (see 5:20). I feel like I've commented on trills as a means of intensifying held notes before. In this arrangement I have been quite liberal with the use of this tool, particularly in the opening sort-of-passacaglia section. A friend commented on the profound ugliness of my plaid shorts. To anyone else similarly offended I offer a remorseless apology. Original work: Gravity ft. Arnor Dan Anime: Made in Abyss Artist: Kevin Penkin ft. Arnor Dan Email: [email protected] #madeinabyss #piano #pianocover