Arrangierung

Arrangierung is a German term referring to the act and result of arranging or organizing elements into a coherent form. The concept is used across various fields, but it is most commonly linked to music, where it denotes the process of adapting a musical work for different instruments or ensembles, or the resulting version created for a specific performance context.

In music, Arrangierung describes the practice of taking an existing piece and re-creating it for another setting. This can involve choosing which material to use, altering harmony, rhythm, tempo, and key, and redefining the texture and form to suit a particular ensemble, venue, or style. Arrangements may preserve the core melodies and character of the original while yielding new sonorities or idiomatic possibilities. Common types include song arrangements for voice and piano, orchestral or band arrangements of popular tunes, and instrumental reductions such as piano or chamber-music versions of orchestral works. The process is distinct from original composition and from orchestration, which specifically concerns assigning music to particular instruments within an ensemble.

Outside music, Arrangierung can refer to the layout or organization of physical space, objects, or processes—such as seating plans, stage or exhibition setups, or garden and interior design arrangements. In these contexts, the term emphasizes planning and ordering elements to achieve desired functions or aesthetics.

See also: Bearbeitung, Orchestrierung.