Afternoon Wine

In keeping with my ancestor-based short works, I had my father in mind when I started this 20 years ago. (I work slowly.) This began as a medium-light homage to his life, and carried the working title: Fritsy.

Pastoral - Movement1 (Edited 231021)

An arrangement based on a seasonal favorite

Hiho the holly fantasia

Teen Dreams 1888
Since this is program music, you should know the program. In this case there are two. 

Program #1: Young Rudolf is at the docks, nervous. He's set to leave Eastern Europe for Amerika. As the ship readies its engines and blows its horn, Rudy momentarily regrets leaving his Moravian homeland for the unknown. As the ship gets underway, Rudy gains courage and begins to see the journey as the romantic adventure it is. The ship reaches the ocean, which lobs  dramatically, and sails away into the unknown, with a seasick Rudy aboard. That's one program.

The alternate program can be viewed as funeral music... a setting for Tennyson's 'Crossing the Bar.'

Sunset and evening star,
      And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
      When I put out to sea,

   But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
      Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
      Turns again home.

   Twilight and evening bell,
      And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
      When I embark;

   For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
      The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
      When I have crossed the bar.

13-Teen Dreams 1888 (v13a)

garyvandersteur

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