Winter Memoirs

What comes to mind when we hear someone say, "Winter is coming?"Is it the chill in the air? Perhaps it's the first sign of snow or rain. Winter to some evokes memories of joy, family gatherings, holiday festivities, cozy and warm fireplaces and the fun of skiing and snowball fights.To others, it brings feelings of sadness, loneliness, and want. It is my hope that this piece captures all of those moments as you listen to the premiere of Winter Memoirs.The piece opens with a variation of the ostinato figure from "Carol of The Bells" setting the tone of a holiday gathering very much in full swing. As the piece draws us in, we can almost hear the arrival of guests, seeing the lively yet chaotic kitchen and hearing music from a room where some are enjoying a night of dancing to the Waltz and fellowship of the season. As the festivities continue indoors, out in the cold, people from different walks of life stop to look in on all the fun and excitement. Some know that there will be no holiday parties for them. Feelings of loneliness, despair and even rejection is conveyed in the lyrical section. The clarinet and alto sax closes their musical dialogue with the sense of HOPE. Letting us know that the winter season promises a cathartic experience for even the less fortunate, alone as well as grieving and heartbroken individuals. A recap of the waltz evokes the joys and fun of winter as snowball fights, sledding, skiing and sitting in front of a warm fire closes the piece that is "Winter Memoirs."