Pensativa Original Key/Roman Numeral Analysis

[appledoreii]

Hey, I'm wondering what the original key of Pensativa is cause I have to do an analysis of it. The copy I have is in Gb, is that the original? Also, if anyone can give any insight into some of the analysis that'd be awesome (I got to the Eb7#9 (in my version) in the sixth measure and gave up, #9 is throwing me). Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks!

[mikeweil]

Why not ask the composer at http://www.clarefischer.com/ ?

[Alexander Hawkins]

Don't have the dots on me, but I remember playing it with Gb as the first chord. And IIRC - that Eb#9 is followed by a Dmaj - so the Eb chord functions as a pivot chord between the 'flat' key center and D major. It goes to D major because it's a tritone substitute for an A chord (i.e. Eb and A share a 3rd and 7th). The #9 - well, this gives a nice 'dominant' sound to the Eb chord, as well as being a common note (i.e. the 3rd) with the D major chord, so gives a nice melody note.

[Shrdlu]

The only version I have ever heard is the one on Art Blakey's "Free For All" album, and that's in Gb. Considering that there is no vocalist to allow for, it's a safe bet that they used the original key.