Castalia 341

Neighbors

Dear Friends,

It’s such a joy to share with you…

Neighbors

for piano

Composed and performed by Ishmael Wallace

This little romantic piece, in form like a country dance, in style like a song-without-words, was not composed to make a point — but like all music of this kind, tells of a certain way of life: a way of life in which one knows one’s neighbors; in which different people have different tasks, all in service to a greater good.

As a boy, I studied with Steven Stucky; he thought one could no longer, in this day and age, write a waltz. For this reason, in his lovely piece Dreamwaltzes, he borrowed the waltz from Richard Strauss. I never asked him why; he may have thought it could not be sincere. After all, the waltz way of life had vanished.

I see it another way: one can certainly compose this kind of music; it must be possible to live it!

Thank you so much for listening, and have a merry Christmas!

With every good wish,

Ishmael

Dear Friends, I tutor music theory online — for details and testimonials, please see my website!