The Newton Music Teachers Association recently commissioned me to write an intermediate piece for their monster concert. Hal Leonard has published this piece along with 4 other duets from Phillip Keveren, Eugenie Rocherolle, and Sondra Clark in a new book called Piano Recital Showcase – Duet Favorites.
The duet I wrote is called “A Wind of Promise” and though the Hal Leonard book does not contain the program note, you are welcome to copy the program note written here for any performances you might wish to do!
One late summer evening, my family and I were driving in the hills outside of Arkansas City and Winfield. I always love driving in these hills because just over every hill is a new beauty, an interesting farm house, a new configuration of trees, and gorgeous, peaceful land. We stopped on the side of the road at the top of one of the hills and I got out, closed my eyes, opened my ears, and took a deep breath. The air was pregnant with sounds and smells of nature: the birds, the grass, the trees, the wildflowers, and so many smells of beauty. The wind just seemed to bring sounds and smells of life and the promise of even more life to my senses. I breathed in this vibrant Kansas wind and felt it full of promise.
You can see samples using the Closer Look feature on the Hal Leonard website.
As always, I thank you for your interest in my new music. I hope you enjoy this new duet!
