As Time Goes By (Hupfeld) : Piano solo transcription from Casablanca.

p1anosteve
p1anosteve
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Published 2020-05-22
In the scene, Ilsa says to Rick "There's still nobody in the world who can play 'As Time Goes By' like Sam". That is true, and from the first time I saw Casablanca I was impressed by the music and piano playing. Only now decades later have I tried to capture some of the magic in those performances of the song. Only the first part of the song is featured in the famous scene but a good part of the orchestral film score is based on it. The bridge of the song is only featured later in the Paris flash back scene.
My transcription is not note for note exact, because I wanted a piano solo and the famous Sam and Ilsa scene is an accompaniment to Sam's vocal. But from the film scenes I managed to hear much of what the pianist does in each scene. The two renditions are quite different and in different keys, neither following the composer Herman Hupleld's harmonic changes entirely. The Ilsa scene accompaniment is I think the pianist's own work, whereas the Rick scene is part of the film score, presumably under the guidance of Max Steiner the musical director. The song was part of the play on which the film is based but Steiner actually disliked it and wanted to replace the song with something of his own. How fortunate it is, that didn't happen!

FILM FACTLETS
The tiny upright piano featured in the Ilsa scene was auctioned in 2014 for $3.4m.

The upright piano in the Paris flashback scene was auctioned in 2012 for $600k.

Everyone thinks the phrase Bogart used was "Play it again Sam" but he actually says......"You know what I want to hear, you played it for her ..now play it for me....Play it!"

Dooley Wilson who played Sam and sang in the film, was a not a pianist and mimed the playing in the film. So who actually played it? Recent research (ref. Wikipedia) indicates although there were three pianists involved during the production and the actual pianist was not credited. When Dooley Wilson subsequently made a record of it with one of the other pianists.. wrongly took the credit for the film work. However the iconic playing we hear in the film is actually that of Jean Plummer a young Los Angeles studio pianist. He went on to have a successful musical career in the Army and on CBS Radio.
#casablanca #piano #pianosolo
All Comments (18)
  • @PaulWhite743
    A very clean and precise performance with sparing use of the pedal, so every note is heard clearly. Thanks Steve for this excellent interpretation ! With best wishes, Paul
  • @macky-HomelikeMusic
    So romantic and brilliant!😌🎹🎶✨Excellent performance and nice song choice😄🌹🎶! Have a nice weekend and stay safe!~Macky:)🎶✨
  • @DavidFraser007
    What a wonderful rendition. A real pleasure to listen to.
  • @simonnewton1330
    Lovely playing Steve and thanks for sending me the sheet music. I appreciate the hard work that must have gone into this so thanks a lot!
  • @claricosens1253
    Beautiful interpretation! I suscribe to your channel! Have a nice day!! 👍👏🎼🎹🎶🎵🎵🎵🤗💕
  • @ljroe53
    Terrific arrangement, Thank You!
  • @richardmalton4985
    Many thanks for transcribing that; I've been hoping someone might for years! I've tried to myself, but could never get right those slinky jazz progressions in between phrases. To include the melody is masterful. Is the score available anywhere to purchase, please? Aside from As Time Goes By...I don't suppose you've transcribed the opening Jacob Gimpel piano solo arrangement from Tom & Jerry's Johann Mouse, have you (someone's done The Blue Danube section...that's if you know the cartoon)?! I adore that, but it's way beyond my technique & ear's capabilities. Thanks again, a joy to hear /see it being played. Best wishes, Richard.
  • @zacharykhall
    I would love to have the transcription of this!
  • @anthonyng8817
    HI, @p1anosteve, your arrangment is so nice. Can you share your pdf with me ?
  • @gabrielzack6355
    Muy mal , que desgracia de entrevista, esta señora esta cerrada a la historia del pueblo de Israel.