“Beautiful Love” is a classic jazz standard with a slightly dark, romantic edge. Published in 1931, the music was written by Victor Young, Wayne King, and Egbert Van Alstyne, with lyrics by Haven Gillespie. Originally introduced as an American popular song, it quickly crossed into the jazz world and has since been recorded by countless artists—both vocal and instrumental. Over the decades, it has appeared in several films and has become a favorite tune at jam sessions because of its memorable melody and rich minor‑key harmony.

This recording is part of my Piano playlist, where well‑known standards and themes are arranged for intimate solo piano. Stripped of lyrics and band accompaniment, “Beautiful Love” becomes a kind of nocturnal confession—melancholic but still warmly lyrical.

1.) Melody & phrasing
“Beautiful Love” is typically played as a 32‑bar standard in a minor key (often A minor), with an AABA form. The melody combines clear, singable lines with a touch of drama: short rising gestures, sighing falls, and a few expressive leaps that give the tune its emotional intensity.
In my interpretation, I treat the melody as if it were being sung late at night—slow, legato, and shaped with flexible rubato. Key notes at the top of phrases gain a bit more time and dynamic weight, while the ends of lines gently fade, as if disappearing into the background. Even without the words, the phrasing hints at the original lyric’s mixture of hope, longing, and vulnerability.

2.) Harmony & piano texture
Harmonically, “Beautiful Love” is beloved by jazz musicians for its flowing, slightly cinematic chord progression. The tune moves through classic minor ii–V sequences, modulations, and lush cadences that invite reharmonization.
In this solo‑piano arrangement, I stay close to the standard changes but color them with extended chords (9ths, 11ths, 13ths) and some subtle inner‑voice movement. The left hand alternates between steady, grounded voicings and broken‑chord patterns that suggest a quiet rhythm section. The right hand carries the tune in a singing register, occasionally adding short, lyrical fills between phrases—small hints of improvisation that never overshadow the main melody. The overall sound is warm and intimate, like being close to a piano in a small room rather than in a large hall.

3.) Mood & use
This version of “Beautiful Love” leans into the tune’s bittersweet character: romantic, but with a touch of mystery and sadness. It works well as background music for reading, a quiet evening, or late‑night reflection, yet it also rewards focused listening if you follow the harmonic turns and dynamic nuances. Within the playlist, it represents the classic jazz‑standard tradition—music born in the 1930s, translated into a contemporary, minimalist solo‑piano language.

Beautiful Love

Original composition by Maria Antonieta Rodriguez
© 2015 Maria Antonieta Rodriguez. All rights reserved
Artwork from web.

Dancing With The Beast

Hi all,
I've been experimenting again!  I've tried to soften up my old Challen piano using various materials.  For this track I've used additional felt on the hammers to create a delicate sound.  Please let me know what you think :)
Ed

Desire (old piano version)

In Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7730axPW-4

Original composition by Maria Antonieta Rodriguez
© 2015 Maria Antonieta Rodriguez. All rights reserved
Artwork shared from http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sAEjLGoNZjA/S_1MjPgYbVI/AAAAAAAAADg/AI544cO-Cuk/s1600/a,kiss,black,and,white,lust,kiss,romantic,hugs-fb41a1ca899549963c6eb68e2b069cb2_h.jpg

Love or Lust (Improv)

George Varsamakis - Way On Clouds (Διαδρομή Στα Σύννεφα)

Above Us

Los ojos de Alicia es una composición original de Mario Viñuela para piano y violonchelo. 

Listen to my music on Spotify / Escucha toda mi música en: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4hAdpygElM5qnAI534XVRp

George Varsamakis - Way On Clouds (Διαδρομή Στα Σύννεφα)

zeyneb