If you are acquiring the PDF to learn the piece, be prepared for the following technical demands:
The tempo slows to a meditative pace. Here, Say uses techniques borrowed from Steve Reich and Philip Glass. A simple three-note pattern repeats in the left hand while the right hand plays the melody in slow, suspended chords. The dynamics shift from ppp to fff gradually, creating a hypnotic, trance-like state. This is the most "spiritual" section of the piece.
Having the PDF is only half the battle. Here are three interpretive tips from masterclasses on this work: fazil say summertime variations pdf
Important Note: Fazıl Say is a living composer, and his work is actively protected by copyright. Unauthorized scans (e.g., on IMSLP or random blogs) are illegal piracy. However, legitimate legal PDFs are available.
Here is where you can purchase and download the official Summertime Variations PDF: If you are acquiring the PDF to learn
1. Schott Music (The Primary Publisher)
2. Sheet Music Plus / Sheet Music Direct The tempo slows to a meditative pace
3. Stretta Music (Europe)
Go to en.schott-music.com 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.
If you are a piano teacher who finally secured the official Fazil Say Summertime Variations PDF, how do you approach it with a student? This is a Grade 8+ (ABRSM) to Associate-level piece.
The piece opens with the original Gershwin melody, naked and vulnerable. Say uses the sustain pedal generously, allowing the famous minor blues scale to hang in the air. Unlike many jazz arrangements, Say stays remarkably faithful to Gershwin’s original harmony here—Cm, Fm, D7, Gm. The tempo is rubato, almost improvisatory. This section is the calm before the storm.