In Memoriam, the victims at Minamisanriku, Nippon

[qccowboy]

In memory of the countless victims of the disaster in Japan, especially the horrible devastation and extreme loss of life at the village of Minamisanriku, Miyagi district. Half of the population is either missing or confirmed dead, and the town is, for all intents and purposes, razed from the face of the map.

http://www.dosblanc.ca/music/minamisanriku.mp3

this is a lightly altered adagio movement from my violin sonata, performed by Finale 2011, the Garritan Stradivarius, and the Garritan Authorized Steinway.

[rpearl]

Beautiful and fitting music for an elegy - which sadly applies. A very touching piece; the piano writing is just wonderful.

It is hard to imagine such devastation...

Thanks for sharing this.

[garymosse]

Hi Michel,
NICE! A flowing, somber piece uncluttered by extra notes.
Three voices complete the music.

Good job.
Gary

[lesotho72]

Very beautiful and poignant piece. Beginning reminded me a bit (slightly) of Janacek
While the piece is a memoriam -- it is not altogether sad and has moments of hope.
Difficult to compose such a sparse piece and you have done so splendidly.
Would love to hear the other movements of the Sonata.

Thanks,
Dan

[RichR]

This is a very nice tribute. As said before, there is nothing complicated in its structure. Simple and compassionate it melodic line. It is sensitive and hauntingly beautiful. The violin and piano have a wonderful relationship and do work well together. I am touched by this piece and especially what it represents.

[qccowboy]

thank-you all for your comments.

I have to say that working with the Garritan Strad is incredibly inspiring.

And of course, the GAS piano is beautiful. It is hard to imagine going back to working with any other piano.

This was actually a very difficult piece to write for me. Simplicity and transparency are deceivingly difficult. It is easy to get distracted and toss in lots of huge gestures and try and complicate matters.

[FLWrd]

Serene, compassionate, and expressive. A worthy musical reflection.

[swinkler]

Transparent is the word that comes to mind. Very nicely done Michel.

[sd cisco]

Very impressive, Michel!!
Your style is intricate and your musical judgment, impeccable. Your handling of the Strad is the best I've ever heard, and your sentiments are well taken. Thank you for sharing this, and your other work, I sincerely enjoy it!

Best regards,
sd cisco

[qccowboy]

thank-you so much, Steve, Theo and SD (or do I call you Cisco?)

while this piece wasn't written specifically as a memorial, I felt that it worked as my expression of deeply-felt grief. When I saw the events unfolding on the news, through my tears, all I heard was this piece.