Description
Arrangement by concert pianist and composer Daniela Mastrandrea of my “Sweet Suite” – a four movement sequence originally written for string quintet.
The piano version is fairly difficult and requires large stretches at times, but for those who like a challenge it is well worth it.
The original stories behind the movements are:
1. Marie for shame (4′ 30”) – based on a setting of the poem Maries vous estes paresseuse – Marie for shame to keep a-bed too long, you must get up and enjoy life.
2. Nocturne (2′ 50”) is basically a segue to the first movement, in which Marie yawns and goes back to bed! The harmonies are rich and yet somnolent.
3. Camp David (4′ 10”) is a sprightly number based on the Yiddish folksong Ikh bin a meidel in de joren – I am a maiden come of age and I am looking for a husband.
4. Blue Boar Blue (3′ 30”) is based on a poem by a friend stuck studying in his college room (Blue Boar Quad at Christ Church Oxford) but dreaming of sunny outings to the river and punting.