I am so excited to tell you that a new book of mine has been published by Hal Leonard! American Portraits is a collection of six character pieces for piano. I was inspired to write this collection of pieces after reading the book, John Adams by David McCullough. While reading this book, I became very attached to John’s wife, Abigail. The love she had for her husband, her amazing courage in difficult times, her sharp mind and quick wit, and the undying affection she displayed for her country and her family impacted me in a profound way.
As I reflected on how few people know about Abigail’s amazing spirit, I began to think of the many other forgotten heroes in American history. Their individual achievements are often overlooked in the shadow of larger historical figures. I wrote these pieces to try and capture the spirit of these forgotten heroes and their accomplishments.
There are 6 characters pieces in this book. Before each character piece is a beautiful portrait along with intriguing historical background sure to inspire the intermediate-level pianist. Pieces include: Letters from Abigail • Frontier Chrous • The Midnight Ride • Morning at the Falls • Summer on the Prairie • Underground Railway. Can you guess who the forgotten hero or heroine might be for each of these pieces?
