Matt Johnson’s new release, "For Good," is a highly personal piano rendition that allows the emotional heart of the beloved piece to emerge in its purest form.
"For Good," from the beloved composer Stephen Schwartz, has been a literal part of modern musical theater for a long time. But a lot of people know how emotionally powerful it is, so that’s expected, both weight and expectation in the piece. Rather than attempt to emulate the song’s familiar legacy, Johnson meets it with quiet confidence here, stripping away instrumentation and lyrics alike to prove that the melody is enough on its own.
The Johnson version, made for Singing Fingers and played on a single instrument, sounds almost confession-like. Each utterance unfurls gradually, allowing the piano to express itself with a kind of emotional lucidity that words may not. In that way, the arrangement invites listeners to experience the piece not as a theatrical moment but rather as a musical meditation. The most intriguing thing about this iteration is its restraint. He doesn’t do too much to the original structure, he isn’t trying for a broad change. Instead, he treats Schwartz’s lovely writing with care but quiets it, making it more contemplative. The absence of lyrics doesn’t rob it of the emotional core, rather, it lends more strength to that gravity. The tune tells the story.
The performance has a delicacy, as though this piano is recalling something vital. Its understated dynamics and judicious pacing allow the piece to breathe. This allows listeners to absorb the music's sentiments.