Life Sketches

Date of Composition: 1994

Duration: 15'

Category: Solo

Instrumentation: Piano

Life Sketches is dedicated to the memory of Yvar Mikhashoff, with whom I studied piano 1974-76 at The University at Buffalo. I cherish the memory of his teaching, his friendship and generosity. Yvar was a person of opposites: publicly gregarious, privately lonely. He loved all things theatrical as well as arcane.
A large man, somewhat ungainly, he was an exquisite ballroom dancer. The six movements of the suite locate Yvar at various moments in his life and personae. the last piece, Barcarolle, floats down the river Styx and remembers the first piece, Wild Hopes, now shorn of its hysteria, as well as Cambiata Waltz, which hovers over a muted ostinato.

Life Sketches has been recorded by Jenny Q Chai on Naxos CD 9.70216