Solemnity: A new and appropriate piano solo arrangement for the times
Hurricane Harvey etched a devastating path of destruction throughout the southern United States. Our son who lives in Jupiter, Florida, is now anticipating the arrival of Hurricane Irma. He's on staff at the Loggerhead Marine Life Center which rescues and rehabilitate sea turtles.
The center is shuttering doors and filling and stacking sand bags. At the same time, our son Carter, is packing up his own things and plans to evacuate his 2nd story apartment today.
With 3/4 of a tank of gas, it looks like he'll make his way to a friend's house in Tampa on the west side of Florida. We are not sure if that will be much better than Jupiter (on the East coast) as Irma is twice the width of Florida. From all appearances, it doesn’t look good for any one in the path of Irma.
Sometimes words aren't enough. On sobering days like these something more solemn is appropriate and strangely comforting.
Contrary to what you may think, my latest contemporary setting of Beethoven’s symphony movement was inspired long before these unnerving days. I was reminded of this pensive movement a while back when watching the movie, The King’s Speech. The music powerfully sets the scene when King George VI, played by Collin Firth, awaits the delivery of his speech announcing that Great Britain would be joining World War II. The repetitive melody and soulful counter melody made such an impact on me that I wanted to play it myself. After months of doodling with it, my abridged interpretation has been completed.
Over a year ago, I knew I wanted a cover image to fit the pensive mood of the piece, and decided upon a photo of a window painted with raindrops taken by my mom, Joanne Alberda. It reminds me of one of those days filled with resolve to get through whatever the tasks and trials that lie ahead. Sometimes words just can’t express the determination and dedication of resolution. Music and images speak when words can't.
Solemnity is an arrangement "owed" to Beethoven and dedicated to all those resolved to get through a day, a month, a year,—a storm—that is anything but sunny.
ALL the proceeds generated from the sales of Solemnity during the month of September 2017 will be donated to the MTNA benevolence fund which supports musicians and teachers devastated by disasters like Hurricane Harvey.
Because of this, I'm offering only a studio license priced at $10.
When a "feel-good" tune just doesn't seem right, Solemnity will. Listen to Solemnityhere.
-Leila
Purchase it here and your $10 will be donated
https://youtu.be/NgEtCz0zBUA
In case you'd like to hear the full symphony, I've included a video of it below.
https://youtu.be/JNnuN8-wlwY