CCC Music Company

When I began composing A Wayward Leaf, it wasn’t about a leaf at all but rather a goldfinch. On a sunny day in June, I was walking through a forest preserve when I spotted a sprite, flittering, silly little goldfinch crossing my path in front of me. He bounced and undulated through the air with flamboyant bravado, and his golden feathers offered an entertaining counterpoint to the brilliant blue sky behind him. I was mesmerized and thought, most assuredly, I would write a piece inspired by him.

A year later, I composed a melody that skipped and bobbled just like that little goldfinch. However, as my writing progressed, the character of the piece slowly changed. Is this really about a goldfinch or is it about something else entirely? I sent the piece to Phil Erklen who showed it to a music student. She offered a title for the piece: A Wayward Leaf. How strange is it that a title so unrelated to the initial inspiration would fit so well? Perhaps a leaf, with its own windswept flight pattern, embodies the memory of the goldfinch perfectly. So, the name stuck.

Thanks to Ed Penner for painting the incredible artwork to go along with it. This piece would be incomplete without your contribution.

I dedicate this piece to my dear friend Herman White for his unconditional love of music and his endless support of its creation. Thank you, Herman, for always being there in the audience, smiling away. This one’s for you.

Sonatina Brillante has four movements, which either tell a story or present a distinct musical idea. The first movement titled, “Praeludium,” hints at music of the Baroque Era (e.g. J. S. Bach’s Preludes and Fugues.) Indeed, this section includes some 18th century textures and playing techniques. The harmonic language, however, presents contemporary style dissonances and free counterpoint. When playing this section, try to imagine a musical encounter between the new and the old, as for example, Shostakovich meets Bach.

The second movement, “Midnight Dance,” is full of secrets and mysteries of a dark night. The slow movement opens with an awkward Waltz, moving in 7/8 meter instead of the regular 6/8. A tall grandfather clock is ticking and the delicate sound of a music box appears as if in a dream. When playing, try to catch the enigmatic ambience and dramatic feel of darkness.

The third movement, “Mosquito,” depicts a combat between a pianist and a buzzing mosquito. The pianist tries to hit the mosquito again and again. Finally… What do you think? Did the tiny creature survive?

The fourth movement, “Tambourine,” returns to a quasi-baroque style. I have always admired Jean-Philippe Rameaus Tambourin. While Rameau (1683-1764) wrote his short and ornate composition for the harpsichord, I tried to emulate a similar character with this short piano movement, especially through the old-style ornamentations.

Sonatina Brillante is the fifth piano composition of mine published by the CCC Music Company. My gratitude goes to music publisher and founder of the company, Phillip Erklen, who accepted my works and included them in his company’s catalog. I dedicate Sonatina Brillante to a very special team, Dinara Klinton and her student Helena Glover, in honor of their great musical gift and their unique teacher-student bond. It was Phil who introduced me to these two extraordinary pianists. Dinaras online recitals during the pandemic lockdown of 2020-21 were a source of solace and great beauty to me. I later realized that Dinara and I have many pianist friends in common. The “discovery” of Helena Glover was another highlight this year: I immediately realized that I must not be misled by her young age! In fact, her video recordings and various interpretations of Bach, Chopin, Rachmaninov, and Debussy, reveal a mature artist who possesses a solid virtuosity and great mastery of the piano repertoire. Helena is full of promise and I, among many others, will be following her artistic progress with great excitement.