This original composition was inspired by Frédéric Chopin's Fantaisie-Impromptu Op. 66 - a frequently performed piece for solo piano that many do not know was published posthumously. Its publication would have been much to the chagrin of Chopin seeing as it has a strong resemblance to Ignaz Moscheles' Impromptu in E-flat Major, Op. 89 and likely was never intended to be published. While many other composers have written their own variations of a number of Chopin's compositions (e.g., Sergei Rachmaninoff's Variations on a Theme of Chopin, Op. 22), my variations were written with an impressionistic/contemporary style that pays homage to a few of my favorite melodic themes in Chopin's Fantaisie-Impromptu.

Variations on a Theme by Chopin, Op. 1: Allegro - Spirito - Largo

Eyes Wide Open (2010) by Eric Jackson was composed for Judith Ann Lapple, founder of Flutopia.   Eric writes, “I wrote Eyes Wide Open to thank Judy for her warm support during hard times. The piece changes from major to minor, which represents what I learned from knowing Judy - there are will always be troubling times amidst good ones; however, the piece does in fact end in the major, which is in homage to Judy - no matter how hard your day or week may have been, her lessons always made everything better.  Thank you Judy for being such an inspiration to all.”

My Compositions

Eyes Wide Open

Eyes Wide Open (Live at Carnegie Hall)

"Eyes Wide Open" by Eric Jackson

Dedicated to the life and memory of Judith Lapple (October 23, 1953 - August 10, 2010)

Eric writes about this work:  “I wrote Eyes Wide Open (2010) to thank Judy for her warm support during hard times. The piece changes from major to minor, which represents what I learned from knowing Judy - there are will always be troubling times amidst good ones; however, the piece does in fact end in the major, which is in homage to Judy - no matter how hard your day or week may have been, her lessons always made everything better.  Thank you Judy for being such an inspiration to all.” 

"Eyes Wide Open" was premiered on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at George Mason University.  It was performed by Eric Jackson on piano, and Tori Palmer, Caroline Henderson, Ali Dettmer, Natalie Jefferson, Julia Morris, Dylan Reiser, Alexa Yeagley, Katie Lopes and Sarah White on flute.

Eyes Wide Open - Premiere

Eric Sinclair Jackson, Stanford University
Managing Member, Eric Sinclair Jackson
400 Capitol Mall, Suite 900, Sacramento, CA 95814

Eric Sinclair Jackson

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