Fazil Say’s "Summertime Variations": A Jazz-Infused Masterpiece (And Where to Find the PDF) When Turkish pianist and composer Fazil Say released his interpretation of George Gershwin’s classic aria "Summertime," he did not simply transcribe it. He deconstructed it, exploded it, and rebuilt it as a high-voltage showpiece for solo piano. For classical pianists, jazz enthusiasts, and advanced students alike, the Fazil Say Summertime Variations PDF has become one of the most sought-after modern scores on the internet. But why has this piece captured the imagination of so many musicians? Beyond the buzzwords of "difficult" and "fast," Say’s Summertime Variations is a masterclass in stylistic fusion, rhythmic ingenuity, and percussive piano writing. This article explores the history of the piece, its technical demands, its musical structure, and—most importantly—the legality and availability of the PDF sheet music. The Genesis of a Modern Classic Fazil Say composed his Summertime Variations (formally titled Summertime Variations for Piano ) in 2005. The work was commissioned by the Ruhr Piano Festival in Germany, a venue known for pushing the boundaries of traditional recital programming. 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. The result is a piece that lasts approximately 7-9 minutes, consisting of a hauntingly simple statement of the theme followed by six distinct variations and a ferocious coda. Why the "Fazil Say Summertime Variations PDF" Is So Popular A quick search for the PDF reveals thousands of forum threads, Reddit posts, and blog comments. Three groups of people are desperately searching for this document:
Advanced Piano Students: Conservatory students need a challenge for juries or recitals. Say’s variations are flashy, modern, and far less "overplayed" than Liszt’s La Campanella or Chopin’s Winter Wind etude. Jazz Pianists Classically Trained: Jazz players want to see how a composer notates swung rhythms, glissandos, and cluster chords within a strict classical framework. Gershwin Purists: Many musicians want to compare the original harmonic structure to Say’s reharmonizations.
A Breakdown of the Variations (For Those With the Score) If you have managed to locate the Fazil Say Summertime Variations PDF , you will notice that the piece is not organized like a traditional theme and variations (Haydn or Mozart style). Here is a roadmap of what you will find on the page. Theme (Lento, very free) 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. Variation I (Mosso, leggiero) Suddenly, the piece accelerates. The right hand plays rapid-fire sixteenth notes, while the left hand jumps between low bass notes and mid-range chords. This variation feels like a buzzing insect—light, fast, and perpetually moving. It introduces the first major technical hurdle: finger independence. Variation II (The Blues) 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. Variation III (Turkish March) Say inserts an homage to Mozart—but twisted. The left hand pounds a percussive rhythm reminiscent of a Turkish davul (drum). The Zeybek rhythm (a 9/8 or 9/4 folk dance) emerges. The right hand plays the "Summertime" melody in octaves, but the left hand attacks the piano as if it were a drum. This variation requires violent forearm technique and absolute rhythmic precision. Variation IV (Minimalist) 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. Variation V (Toccata) 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. Variation VI & Coda (Prestissimo) The finale is a barn-burner. The right hand plays the melody in screaming, high-register octaves. The left hand alternates between low growling clusters and explosive leaps. The piece ends with a slap gesture—Say instructs the pianist to slap the strings inside the piano (on some models) or to violently close the keyboard lid. It is theatrical, shocking, and unforgettable. Technical Challenges (What You Will See in the PDF) Before you print out the Fazil Say Summertime Variations PDF , be warned: this is a Grade 8+ (Diploma level) piece. Here are the specific technical hurdles:
Thumb Glissandos: Say frequently demands glissandos using only the thumb (usually on white keys). This is painful if not practiced correctly. Cluster Chords: You will see chords that require you to play with your fist or the flat of your palm (e.g., C-D-E-F#-G-A all at once). Asynchronous Hands: In many variations, the left hand is playing straightforward quarter notes while the right hand plays frantic 16ths against them. Keeping the "backbeat" steady is a nightmare. Large Leaps: The left hand often jumps two or three octaves between beats while playing fortissimo . Tonal Control: Playing the simple, lyrical theme after the toccata requires complete command of touch. Most amateur pianists play the theme too loudly because they are exhausted. fazil say summertime variations pdf
The Controversy: Legal vs. Illegal PDFs Now, the elephant in the room. If you search for "Fazil Say Summertime Variations PDF" on Google, you will find many sketchy websites (scribd.com, musicnoteslib.com, pdfcoffee.com) offering free downloads. Are these legal? Usually, no. Fazil Say’s Summertime Variations is published by Schott Music (Mainz, Germany). It is under active copyright (copyright 2006). Distributing or downloading a scanned copy without paying the publisher is copyright infringement. Why You Should Buy the Legal Sheet Music
Print Quality: The illegal PDFs are often blurry, missing pages, or have incorrect fingerings. The Schott edition is beautifully engraved. Composer Support: Fazil Say is a living composer (born 1970). Every illegal download deprives him of royalties. Legitimate Alternatives: There is no free legal PDF. However, you can purchase the authorized digital edition for about $12-$15 USD from Schott Music’s website , Sheet Music Plus , or Amazon Kindle .
How to Buy the Official Version 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. Performance Practice: What the PDF Won't Teach You Having the PDF is only half the battle. Here are three interpretive tips from masterclasses on this work: 1. Don't Neglect the Silence In Variation IV (the minimalist section), Say writes long rests (whole bars of silence). Most students fill these with pedal noise or nervous shuffling. Treat the rests as part of the music. The silence should feel like a held breath. 2. Percussion is Key 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. 3. The Blues Feel In Variation II, do not play the dotted rhythms strictly. Listen to Ella Fitzgerald or Louis Armstrong sing "Summertime." The vocal phrasing is lazy, late, and behind the beat. Say notates rigidly, but your interpretation must breathe. Comparing Say’s Version to Other "Summertime" Arrangements To appreciate the Fazil Say Summertime Variations PDF , compare it to other famous versions: But why has this piece captured the imagination
Gershwin’s Original: Simple, song-like (voice and piano). Art Tatum’s Arrangement: Virtuosic, swing-era jazz, full of extended substitutions. Earl Wild’s Virtuoso Etudes: Over-the-top romantic, dense chords. Fazil Say’s Version: Percussive, minimalist-meets-Turkish-folk, theatrical.
Say is unique because he keeps the original melody recognizable. Tatum and Wild sometimes obscure the tune; Say always brings it back before the next explosion. Is There a Simplified Version? A common search query is "Fazil Say Summertime Variations PDF easy." The short answer: No. There is no simplified arrangement. If you cannot play Chopin etudes or advanced Bach preludes and fugues, this piece is not for you yet. Attempting it early will lead to tendonitis and frustration. Instead, work up to it via:
Gershwin’s Three Preludes Kapustin’s Concert Etudes Say’s own Black Earth (easier than Summertime Variations) The Genesis of a Modern Classic Fazil Say
Final Verdict: Should You Download the PDF? If you are a professional pianist or an advanced student preparing a recital, the Fazil Say Summertime Variations PDF is worth your time and money. However, do the right thing: pay for the score. The illegal PDFs floating around are often incomplete (missing the coda) or have note errors from bad scanning. By purchasing the official Schott edition for less than the price of a pizza, you get:
A clean, urtext-quality scan. Legal permission to perform it publicly. The satisfaction of supporting 21st-century classical music.