Click the title for the listening sample. Additional listening tracks at CDBaby.com.
All the Pretty Little Horses African–American lullaby. I once had a friend who maintained that pianists should learn a new Chopin nocturne every spring. He was responding to the almost decadent quality of spring nights, when the old is finally rotting away to nurture the new. This arrangement is my haunting & lyrical springtime nocturne. It is also available in sheet music.
East at Sunset In Iowa, watching the sunset turn prairie fields to the east into pure gold—an experience not to be missed!
40 Days of Desert Wherein something so small as to be almost nothing turns within itself again and again to become massive and powerful.
What the Stars Saw on the Prairie On the western prairie, nestled against a hill, there is an unexpected forest: shade and water abound. One summer it was all I dreamed of.
Something Water, Something Light There was a piece by Chopin I wanted to play, and it had a technical challenge I could not quite handle. So I created a mini–etude for myself, and was delighted as it grew into Something Water, Something Light. Oddly, I never could find that Chopin piece again. This solo is available as sheet music.
That Single Star “Ages of endless dark, pierced by that single star, echo with visions lost long ago... All the darkness waits for you, dazzling and holy. Pierce my heart, angel star; sing me the vision lost long ago. Starlight—grow!” Also available in sheet music.
Shule Agra Irish folk song. “His hair was dark, his eye was blue, his arm was stout, his word was true. I wish in my heart I was with you! Go thee, thu, mavourneen slaun.”
Hymn for Peace No further comment necessary.
Forest Green English folk song. I have set this melody in several arrangements; this is actually the most rambunctious of the lot!
Wayfaring Stranger African–American spiritual. Plaintive, yearning, and consoling simultaneously, a song to keep us moving forward through the darkness. Also available in sheet music.
Veni Creator Spiritus Gregorian chant. I love this melody, which is the office hymn for Whitsunday and was the great hit of the Middle Ages, set by nearly every composer for nearly every vocal ensemble imaginable. Here it jumps to the piano!
First Only Whisper What is the phrase that must first only be whispered?
Bells, the Veil, and Victory When I first created this piece I was afraid it would kill people! Which is my way of saying: Victory overcomes, and that includes volume!
Simple Love The Riddle Song–English folk song; & A Gift to Be Simple–Shaker hymn.
A Handfull of Quietness I had not originally intended to have a title track for the album, but I am so glad to have been given this piece: to hear, to play, to share. Also available in sheet music.