Kelly’s Song
I composed this song as a musical manifestation of Kelly herself. The idea of composing songs for friends and colleagues was seeded in me by Eduard Elgar’s Enigma Variations. These compositions have intrigued me for most of my musical career. The story goes that simply for fun Elgar began toying with a tune on the piano, adapting it to make musical caricatures of some of his friends.
Each variation in the orchestral piece that originated from this “doodling” is headed by the initials of the friend portrayed, beginning with “C.A.E.” (Elgar’s wife, Caroline Alice) and closing with “E.D.U.” (Variation XIV), a self-portrait of the composer.
A similar creative impulse began to stir in me a few years back. Now, on occasion, I’ll anticipate a friend’s birthday, sit down at the piano, reflect on this person, and improvise what I deem to be his or her essential nature. This turns into a composition and a recording I give to the recipient. I have discovered over the years that reflecting on the distinct way a person shows up in this world and capturing this musically is just as much a gift to me as it hopefully is to the recipient.
When I think of Kelly, I think of the distinct way this beautiful woman exudes kindness and generosity and her way of speaking forthrightly to her circle of friends and family. Perhaps you can hear it.
Thank you, Kelly.
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