LEE SANG GUL
Compositions · 33 / 34

Sad But Beautiful No. 2

A sequel after eight years, expressing the warm spring after a cold winter and memories that are sad but beautiful.

Difficulty · AdvancedClassical
Sad But Beautiful II — Lee Sang Gul original release cover

The story behind the piece

Sad But Beautiful II

The sequel to Sad But Beautiful: a second story of sorrow and beautiful memories.

Sad But Beautiful II · cover from the original release
Sad But Beautiful II · cover from the original release

Left Behind

It has been included again in the full-length piano album *Left Behind*.

Left Behind · 2024 piano album cover
Left Behind · 2024 piano album cover

Listener Comments · Piano

SubmitHub · Verified reviewer
“Beautiful melodies and a great arrangement. I feel it is more contemporary than traditional classical music. It is a great song, regardless of the genre. Advice, have you considered making a more extended version, with a flute or oboe playing the upper melody in some parts and some countermelody on others?”

Beautiful melodies and a great arrangement. I feel it is more contemporary than traditional classical music. It is a great song, regardless of the genre. Advice, have you considered making a more extended version, with a flute or oboe playing the upper melody in some parts and some countermelody on others?

SubmitHub · Verified reviewer
“Me encanta la composición, muy original en la armonía y en el arreglo, me encantan como quedan los arpegios como agua que fluye. Tus desarrollos (~01:00) siempre son muy interesantes desde el punto de vista armónico. Buena melodía e interpretación y buena producción. Buen trabajo!”

I love the composition, very original in harmony and arrangement, I love how the arpeggios flow like water. Your developments (~01:00) are always very interesting from a harmonic point of view. Good melody and performance, and good production. Good job!

SubmitHub · Verified reviewer
“I wouldn't call it sad. For me it reminds of sea waves rolling onto the sand in sunny day. There are some artifacts on my sound system on higher notes, but overall it is a nice piece.”

I wouldn't call it sad. For me it reminds of sea waves rolling onto the sand in sunny day. There are some artifacts on my sound system on higher notes, but overall it is a nice piece.

SubmitHub · Verified reviewer
“HOla! excelente dominio del piano, la composicion es muy buena. Creo que tienes un control tecnico del piano admirable. La pieza tiene riquiza armonica y melodica. Saludos”

Hello! excellent mastery of the piano, the composition is very good. I think you have an admirable technical control of the piano. The piece has rich harmonic and melodic qualities. Regards.

Sheet music

Sad But Beautiful No. 2 — piano score

5 pages of piano music · 1 page of copyright and usage information

A closer look at the score

Like its predecessor, it contrasts continuous right-hand figures with sustained left-hand bass notes, but Allegro and repeated accents give clearer momentum here. The score specifies which of the four sixteenth notes to emphasize, so an even stream of fast notes alone does not complete the melody. Read the upper notes’ connections alongside the accent positions.

The register and dynamics fall in the middle, then expand to ff, while chords such as Am/C and Gm/E appear beneath the same figure. The later Dm–Gm passage also changes harmonic color without stopping the movement. D-centered material returns near the close before the quick flow resolves into a long chord. Its link to the earlier piece lies in the figures and the hands’ roles; its individuality lies in the faster tempo, accents and wider dynamic contrasts.

Orchestral arrangement

The Orchestral Collection · Lee Sang Gul · album cover

Jazz arrangement

Piano Meets Jazz — Jazz album image provided by Lee Sang Gul

Listen to all versions

Piano and arranged versions organized by release order.