Is Opus 17 Classical?

Tuesday, 26 June 2007

Hi Denny Just wondered if you could help me. I've always wanted to know if 'Opus 17 (Don't You Worry 'Bout Me)' was based on a classical piece of music. And if so, which piece. I LOVE this song, and the Four Seasons' superb recording of it. Many thanks, Peter, Canberra, Australia ________________________________________________ Hi Peter, Great to hear from you and I appreciate so much your being such a great fan of “Opus 17 (Don't You Worry 'Bout Me)”, which is my original melody and not based on a classical piece. Your question is a really interesting one to feature though because many people ask it - I guess for one of the two following reasons: - Many who ask know that my song “A Lover’s Concerto” was based on Bach’s “Concerto in G Major”, which I first played and loved as a kid, and  “A Lovers Concerto” was recorded in a similar pop setting to “Opus 17”.   - In writing "Opus 17” I purposely gave it several personality traits that created the feeling that it was (similarly) based on a classical piece, such as that the word “Opus” is used to in naming or cataloging classical pieces and that the melody has certain qualities of a classical motif. The song was written with the Four Seasons in mind following two other of my hits with them (‘Let’s Hang On” and “Working My Way Back To You”) and when I thought about what I wanted to write for them next, I decided it would be great to create an experience similar to “A Lover’s Concerto” but with (in this case) a harder edged song and and recording fitting to the incredibly high energy and exciting sound and personality of Frankie and the Seasons. So Peter, now you finally know right from the writer’s pen (no, word processor) what you’ve been wondering about. Thanks for asking and keep on enjoying the music. My Best, Denny Randell

 

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