In music, an arrangement refers to the way in which a composer or arranger takes an existing musical composition and reinterprets it, altering various elements such as the harmony, rhythm, texture, tempo, dynamics, or instrumentation. The goal is often to make the piece suitable for a particular performer, ensemble, style, or context.
The practice of arranging is an essential aspect of many genres, from classical to jazz, pop, and beyond. For instance, a jazz standard may be arranged differently by various ensembles to match their unique style and instrumentation.
One well-known example of arrangement in action is Maurice Ravel’s orchestration of Modest Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition”. The original piece was a piano composition, but Ravel’s arrangement for orchestra brought a new depth and color to the work, making it one of the most performed orchestral works today.
In the realm of copyright, it’s important to mention that arranging a copyrighted work usually requires permission from the copyright holder. This process is often managed through music licensing companies.
For more extensive information, consider visiting the Arrangement page on Wikipedia.