EXCITING CONCERT PIANO ARRANGEMENTS!
in classical, ragtime & modern styles
“Please enjoy my finely crafted original compositions and arrangements for your listening pleasure as well as the concert stage!”
Cory Hall (D.M.A.)
• 10 Biblical Portraits
• 4 Medieval Portraits
• More Original Compositions & Arrangements
• Bach Goes Romantic (10 four-part chorales arranged, Vol. 1)
• Bach Meets Ragtime (10 four-part chorales arranged, Vol. 2)
• More Compositions & Arrangements (not listed previously)
CORY HALL
virtuoso pianist, composer & arranger
(For a general bio of Cory and his team, please see the “About” page. For Cory as editor, see “BachScholar® Editions” .)
Cory Hall established the BachScholar YouTube channel in 2008 and within a few years became beloved the world over for his superb performances in classical and ragtime. Cory’s rise to prominence on YouTube led to extremely fruitful activity as a composer and arranger. Cory is especially known for his sparkling ragtime arrangements as well as his ingenious and inspired elaborations of Bach four-part chorales. Finally, Cory’s monumental 10 Biblical Portraits (Cory’s first full opus as a composer) must be watched from beginning to end, as well as the 60+ other compositions on this page!
Scroll down page to view 60+ videos of Cory’s compositions and arrangements!
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10 BIBLICAL PORTRAITS (2011)
Programmatic Concert Pieces Depicting Events from Genesis through Revelation
1. Genesis.
Cory’s first full opus is the formidable 10 Biblical Portraits. The first portrait depicts God’s miraculous creation of the world. It uses an ancient Taiwanese melody.
2. The Garden of Eden.
The second movement of 10 Biblical Portraits is a peaceful account of Adam and Eve in the garden until their unfortunate meeting up with the Serpent ruins their plans.
3. Noah’s Flood.
The third movement from 10 Biblical Portraits is a musical whirlwind journey into the exciting and riveting experiences of Noah in The Great Flood of Noah.
4. Nocturne of Hope.
The fourth movement from 10 Biblical Portraits is a nocturne heeding Paul’s advice, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.” (Romans, 15:13)
5. Toccata Mysterium.
The fifth movement from 10 Biblical Portraits depicts the Apostle Paul blinded in the desert and converted to Christ on his way to Damascus. This is desert music.
6. Veni Sancte Spiritus.
The sixth movement from 10 Biblical Portraits is a serene song without words calling for the Holy Spirit. It is appropriately imbued with much symbolism of threes.
7. Grace Abounds.
The seventh movement from 10 Biblical Portraits is a musical odyssey, one long improvisation, celebrating the free gift of Grace God bestows on the believer.
8. Rondo jubilate.
The eighth movement from 10 Biblical Portraits is a neo-classical Rondo with a quasi Mozartean theme. It is a joyous and, of course, a highly jubilant piece!
9. Heaven Awaits.
The ninth movement from 10 Biblical Portraits depicts the wonders of awaiting heaven and how it may be depicted in music.
10. Enter the Gates.
The tenth movement from 10 Biblical Portraits depicts God’s promise in Revelation that “there will be no more death, mourning, crying, ot pain.” It is an expressive song without words.
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4 MEDIEVAL PORTRAITS (2011)
1. In Days of Yore.
The first movement from Cory’s 4 Medieval Portraits harkens back to the days of yore in medieval France.
2. The Jester’s Delight.
The second movement from 4 Medieval Portraits is an exilarating rondo (incorporating three main themes) that depicts a jester up to his merry pranks!
3. The Old Castle.
The third movement from 4 Medieval Portraits is a calm and meditative piece depicting an old castle. The “jester” theme used previously is its main theme.
4. St. George + Dragon.
The fourth movement from 4 Medieval Portraits is Cory’ most thrilling and adreneline-filled composition. It depicts St. George slaying the dragon and uses the Dies Irae motif in the coda!
More Original Compositions & Arrangements
(In No Particular Order)
Ascent to Perfection.
A calm and inspirational piece about Christian sanctification. The main section that repeasts throughout consists of seven measures, which symbolizes perfection.
Sonatina Rusticana.
Cory’s neo-classical sonatina in three movements evokes the feeling of yesteryear in Germanic Lands. The second movement is especially beautiful, which was inspired by Beethoven.
Broken Intermezzo.
This is Cory’s hommage to Johannes Brahms. It is a wonderful character piece for piano that uses Brahms style 4:3 polyrhythms in the second section.
Aria of Remembrance.
This piece was composed upon learning of the death of a close friend (suicide) who lived overseas. It combines two of the deceased’s favorite pieces (from Bach and Fauré).
The Stranger.
Here is an evocative and improvisatory ballad-fantasy, titled The Stranger. The opening melody suggests the text “nobody knows my name” which was how the title originated.
Isorhythmic Exultation.
An energetic tour-de-force solo piano piece inspired by 1970s progressive rock styles!
Overture from Messiah.
A fovorite among audiences, this arrangement will impress anyone!
Hallelujah Chorus.
Cory has a unique way in his arrangements of making hard things look and sound so easy!.
Queen of Sheba.
This is Cory’s exciting, virtuoso arrangement of Handel’s The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba from the Opera, Solomon.
Toccata & Fugue.
One of the finest versions on the market today, Cory’s very accurate transcription of Bach’s classic Toccata & Fugue in D Minor is sure to bring the house down!
Bach’s “Jesu, Joy”.
Cory’s concert arrangement of Bach’s classic Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, in the evocative key of D-flat major, is sure to please everyone!
Overture, Cantata 29.
Cory transcribes Bach famous Sinfonia in his exciting, Etude on One Staff with Two Hands. It is a wonderful arrangement, much easier than if both hands had to play different lines!
Bach’s Actus tragicus.
Here is Cory’s not-too-difficult arrangement of the opening movement to Bach’s funeral Cantata No. 106, subtitled Actus tragicus.
In Deepest Grief.
Cory performs an anoymous not-too-difficult arrangement (but great one!) of the closing chorus of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion.
Pachelbel’s Canon.
This is Cory’s arrangement of Sergei Lyapunov’s lengthy arrangement of Pachelbel’s classic Canon in D. It is arguably the most beautiful arrangement of this classic!
Pachelbel’s Canon.
Cory puts some interesting twists to Pachelbel’s Canon in D in his own arrangement!
The Entertainer.
Cory’s cheeky and fun version of Joplin’s famous classic with his trademark hand crossings!
The Monstertainer.
Cory’s spooky and ghoulish arrangement of Joplin’s famous classic!
12th Street Rag.
Cory’s arrangement of Euday Bowman’s classic!
SHEETS COMING SOON!
Efficiency Rag.
Cory’s virtuoso ragtime arrangements hardly get any better than this with a classic rag by James Scott. This is one of the first arrangements with Cory’s trademark hand crossings!
The Music Box Rag.
Cory’s one-of-a-kind take on a Luckey Roberts classic!
Pork and Beans.
Cory’s one-of-a-kind take on another Luckey Roberts classic featuring Cory’s trademark hand crossings!
The Saint Louis Blues.
Cory’s rich version of W.C. Handy’s classic song is different than everyone else’s, yet at the same time, more authentic to the original.
Puttin’ on the Ritz.
This is Cory’s most popular arrangement, out of all arrangements. It is brilliant and exciting for performers and listeners alike!
Vocalise.
Rachmaninoff’s beautiful song is arranged by Cory for solo piano!
Humoresque.
This is a fun and humorous Humoresque that mixes early jazz and stride styles with 19th century romanticism. It is a gem!
BACH GOES ROMANTIC:
10 Four-Part Chorales Arranged (Vol. 1)
1. Ich ruf’ zu dir.
The first chorale in Bach Goes Romantic , “I Call On Thee, Lord Jesus Christ”, is an elaboration of the chorale BWV 177 set to a slow, Latin habanera rhythm!
2. Jesu, der du meine.
The second chorale in Bach Goes Romantic, “Jesu, Who In Sorrow Dying”, is an expressive elaboration of the chorale BWV 354 in the key of Bb minor!
3. Christ, unser Herr.
The third chorale in Bach Goes Romantic,“To The Jordan Came Our Lord, The Christ”, is set to a Baroque style Overture form with a majestic opening followed by an Allegro.
4. Hilf, Herr Jesu.
The fourth chorale in Bach Goes Romantic, “Shed, Lord, On This New Year Blessing”, comes from Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248/42. It is one of the most romantic and expressive of the set!
5. Wir Christenleut.
The fifth chorale in Bach Goes Romantic, “We Christian People”, comes from Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248/35. It is set to theme and variation form.
6. Wie schön leuchtet.
The sixth chorale in Bach Goes Romantic, “How Beautifully Shines The Morning Star”, transforms a chorale BWV 1 into a rollicking Baroque Gigue style with triples!
7. Verleih uns Frieden.
The seventh chorale in Bach Goes Romantic, Lord In Thy Mercy Grant Us Peace”, is an elaboration of the chorale BWV 42 that sounds like one long improvisation!
8. Herr, nun lass.
The eighth chorale in Bach Goes Romantic, “Lord, Now Let Thy Servant Go In Peace”, portrays the Song of Simeon in Luke 2:29-32, a Christian canticle known as the Nunc dimittis.
9. Was Gott tuth.
The ninth chorale in Bach Goes Romantic, “What God Ordains Is Always Good”, is a thrilling arrangement of chorale BWV 12 set to a theme and variation form.
10. Wer nur den lieben.
The tenth chorale in Bach Goes Romantic, “If Thou But Trust In God To Guide Thee”, is a slow and rich elaboration of the chorale BWV 84. This is extremely gratifying to play on piano!
BACH MEETS RAGTIME:
10 Four-Part Chorales Arranged (Vol. 2)
1. A Mighty Fortress.
The first chorale in Bach Meets Ragtime, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”, is an energetic and thrilling arrangement of the chorale BWV 80.
2. Christ at the Jordan.
The second chorale in Bach Meets Ragtime, “Christ, Our Lord, Came to the Jordan”, is a joyous setting of the chorale BWV 7 in E minor.
3. Easter Chorale.
The third chorale in Bach Meets Ragtime, “The Splendid Day Has Arrived”, is an exciting minor-key waltz arranged from chorale BWV 67.
4. Cake Walk.
The fourth chorale in Bach Meets Ragtime, “Salvation Now Has Come”, is a fun cake walk on the chorale BWV 86. It incorporates typical cake walk rhythms and repeated notes!
5. Divine Syncopations.
The fifth chorale in Bach Meets Ragtime, “Rejoice Dear Christians”, is an elaboration of the chorale BWV 388. It is subtitled Divine Syncopations!
6. Etude on “Jesu”.
The sixth chorale in Bach Meets Ragtime, “Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring”, is chorale BWV 147 set as a rhythmically challenging two-against-three etude!
7. Cool Swing.
The seventh chorale in Bach Meets Ragtime, “We Christian People”, is a cool swing version of Christmas chorale BWV 40. It is so cool. This is Bach in a bar with a beer!
8. With Peace and Joy.
The eighth chorale in Bach Meets Ragtime, “With Peace And Joy I Now Depart”, is a slow march-macabre setting of the chorale BWV 83 of the Song of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32).
9. Luther’s Gospel-Rag.
The ninth chorale in Bach Meets Ragtime sets the chorale BWV 307 (sometimes called “Luther’s chorale”) to a joyous and majestic arrangement with pleasing syncopations!
10. Bach has a Hoedown.
The tenth chorale in Bach Meets Ragtime , “What God Ordains Is Always Good”, is a brilliant western hoedown arrangement of Chorale BWV 12!
More Compositions & Arrangements
(Not Listed Previously)
What Child Is This.
The late Grammy® award-winning composer Norman Henry Mamey published his fantastic A Jazz Pianist’s Christmas with BachScholar®. Cory plays a sample:
O Holy Night.
The late Grammy® award-winning composer Norman Henry Mamey published his fantastic A Jazz Pianist’s Christmas with BachScholar®. Cory plays a sample:
The Friendly Beasts.
The late Grammy® award-winning composer Norman Henry Mamey published his fantastic A Jazz Pianist’s Christmas with BachScholar®. Cory plays a sample:
Silent Night.
The late Grammy® award-winning composer Norman Henry Mamey published his fantastic A Jazz Pianist’s Christmas with BachScholar®. Cory plays a sample:
Jingle Bells.
The late Grammy® award-winning composer Norman Henry Mamey published his fantastic A Jazz Pianist’s Christmas with BachScholar®. Cory plays a sample:
Jingle Bells.
Here is Cory being scholarly.
Soliloquy.
This is a unique character piece with a mysterious title. It is beautiful and gratifying to play!