Pining for the Spring Breeze by Robert Oetomo

Robert Oetomo’s beautiful solo marimba arrangement of Yu-hsien Teng’s (鄧雨賢) song Pining for the Spring Breeze (望春風) incorporates elements of jazz, extended and dissonant harmonies and improvisation, as well as elements of the classical romantic period, such as runs, ornaments, and flourishes. While including these elements, Oetomo’s arrangement also maintains the simplicity of the well-known Taiwanese original while taking liberties with the melodic line and rhythmic structure. Oetomo also suggests that “the arpeggiation markings of chords are merely suggestions. Feel free to play all chords, marked or unmarked, as you wish (arpeggiated or as blocks).”