Recomposition discards most of an existing work then phases and loops the retained fragments into a new piece

Musical recomposition — distinct from arrangement or remix — is a radical transformation of existing material: the composer discards most of the source, then applies minimalist techniques (phasing, looping, tempo and dynamic variation, re-instrumentation) to the retained fragments to create a new artistic statement. The result keeps a recognizable DNA of the source while reorganizing its meaning and structure. It is a form of ‘musical borrowing’ — taking something new from an existing piece to use in a new one — differing from arrangement (which preserves the whole) and from sampling (which lifts a recording).

Examples

Richter’s Recomposed: Vivaldi Four Seasons discarded 75% of the original; the retained parts are phased and looped, with adjusted tempo, less ‘regimented’ rhythm, altered dynamics, viola swapped for cello, and ‘jump cut’ breaks applied.

Assessment

Describe how recomposition differs from (a) arrangement and (b) remix/sampling, in terms of how much original material is retained and how much it is transformed.