If you are a fan of Gershwin or a fan of Fazıl Say, this arrangement is essential to your repertoire.
The technical demands are high. Slow, deliberate practice is key to navigating the fast passages without tension.
Starting with historical context. Gershwin's "Summertime" is iconic, so it's important to mention that. Then, why did Fazil Say choose to do variations on it? Maybe because he's influenced by jazz and classical, aligning with Gershwin's style. Then, when was the piece written? I'll need to find the composition date. I recall that Say is active in the 2000s, so maybe around 2000s to 2010s.
Say, who is equally comfortable improvising jazz as he is playing Mozart concertos, wanted to pay homage to Gershwin while injecting his own unique voice. Gershwin’s "Summertime" from Porgy and Bess (1935) is already a hybrid—a lullaby that blends African American spirituals with Jewish klezmer inflections. Say took this hybrid and grafted onto it the raw energy of Turkish folk dance (the Zeybek ), minimalist repetition, and the angular dissonance of contemporary classical music.
First, I need to confirm if Say has indeed written variations on "Summertime." I'll look up his discography. A quick check shows that yes, he has a piece called "Summertime Variations" for solo piano. That's a good start. Now, the user wants a feature on this piece, probably something that can be developed as an article or presentation. fazil say summertime variations pdf
"Summertime Variations" is a solo piano piece that consists of six variations, each with its own unique character and mood. The piece begins with a simple, lilting melody that sets the tone for the rest of the work. As the variations progress, Say introduces new themes, rhythms, and harmonies, creating a rich and dynamic sound.
Go to and search for "Say Summertime Variations." The ISMN number is 979-0-001-13979-3. The price is reasonable (approximately €14.00). You can legally download a watermarked PDF instantly. Alternatively, the physical copy is a single 16-page booklet.
The six variations of "Summertime Variations" are:
According to official descriptions, "the complete melody then forms the basis for the swinging and extremely virtuoso Presto Variations of the central section". This is the "heart" of the piece—a thrilling display of pianistic fireworks. The tempo kicks into high gear, the rhythms swing like jazz, and the technical demands are high. If you are a fan of Gershwin or
Which would you like?
This piece is as much a percussion work as a piano work. Practice without the pedal for 80% of the piece. Use your fingers as hammers. The Turkish variation requires a "dry" attack—very little pedal, very specific articulation.
The final sections of the piece demand virtuosic stamina. Packed with rapid-fire chromatic scales, wide leaps, dense cluster chords, and interlocking hand patterns, this segment pushes the mechanical limits of the piano. The climax functions as a massive, written-out jazz improvisation, bursting with energy before settling into a dramatic conclusion. Technical Challenges for the Pianist
: The piece begins and ends "very quietly and cantabile," focusing on a meditative exploration of Gershwin’s opening motif. The Presto Variations Starting with historical context
Pure chaos. Both hands engage in overlapping sixteenth-note runs, chromatic scales, and cluster chords. The meter changes almost every bar—2/4, 3/8, 5/16. This is the moment most pianists crash and burn. It requires a relaxed wrist and the ability to feel large beats despite the relentless notes.
Stand up or lean forward slightly during practice to find a comfortable posture for muting the strings. Mark the physical strings inside your piano with small, non-damaging sticky notes to quickly locate the correct pitch zones.
This is where Say shows his jazz roots. The left hand plays a walking bass line (standard in jazz piano), while the right hand syncopates the melody. The notation becomes tricky: Say writes in 4/4 time, but uses dotted rhythms and ties to create a "laid back" swing feel. Unlike American jazz transcriptions, Say does not simply write "swing" at the top; he notates every rhythmic nuance, which is both a blessing and a curse for the reader.