Piano composition/performance: Francess Harris (@pianofran)
Orchestration: Timothy McGuire (@tim_mcguire)

Collaborations: Timothy McGuire / Francess Harris

I am pleased to share a new collaboration with the very talented Timothy McGuire, who added his beautiful orchestration to my "Twilight in the Garden" piano composition.  It was an honor to collaborate with Timothy and to hear more of his amazing work, you can visit his SoundCloud page by clicking here: https://soundcloud.com/tim_mcguire

Twilight In The Garden - Timothy McGuire Mix

Many thanks to Timothy McGuire for adding his beautiful orchestration (and a bit of magic!) to my "Traveling Light" piano composition. This is our second collaboration and it was a pleasure to work with Timothy again!  To hear more of his wonderful music, you can visit his SoundCloud page by clicking here:  https://soundcloud.com/tim_mcguire

Traveling Light - Timothy McGuire Mix

I am happy to share this third collaboration with Timothy McGuire who added his beautiful orchestration to my "Finding Hope" piano composition. It is always a pleasure working with Timothy and to hear more of his wonderful work, you can visit his SoundCloud page by clicking here: https://soundcloud.com/tim_mcguire

Finding Hope - Timothy McGuire Mix

Many thanks to Timothy McGuire who added his beautiful orchestration to my "Promises To Keep" piano composition. It is always a pleasure working with Timothy and to hear more of his wonderful work, you can visit his SoundCloud page by clicking here: https://soundcloud.com/tim_mcguire

Promises To Keep - Timothy McGuire Mix

Thanks so much to Timothy McGuire who added his beautiful orchestration to my "In The Rain" piano composition. It is always a pleasure working with Timothy and to hear more of his wonderful work, you can visit his SoundCloud page by clicking here: @tim_mcguire

In The Rain - Timothy McGuire Mix

"Second star to the right and straight on 'til the morning." - Peter Pan

Chasing the Stars

"Not all who wander are lost." -- J.R.R. Tolkien

We all wander at one time or another.  Sometimes, it leads us to wonderful discoveries.  At other times, it can take us away from the things and people in life that are truly important.  One thing is certain:  Wandering almost always teaches us something.

Wandering

"I've never seen a moon in the sky that, if it didn't take my breath away, at least misplaced it for a moment." --Colin Farrell

Moonlight Dance

It is my pleasure to share another collaboration with the wonderfully creative and talented Michele Ansani.  For a complete translation and description of this work, please visit Michele's SoundCloud page (@MicheleAnsani). While you are there, be sure to listen to his other great compositions!
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Lyrics: Francesco Petrarca (1304-1374)
Music: Michele Ansani & Francess Harris (@pianofran)
Piano: Francess Harris
Vocals, keyboards and electronic strings: Michele Ansani
Michele Ansani & Francess Harris
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Cover picture: Anonymous, 'Francesco Petrarca in the Studium', wall fresco, last quarter of the 14th century, Reggia Carrarese, Sala dei Giganti, Padua.

In rime sparse il suono [Petrarch, Canzoniere - Introductory Sonnet]

"Life is a balance of holding on and letting go." -- Rumi

Balancing Act

A Simple Prayer

We are currently in the season of the Orb Weavers.  Elegant and boldly-colored, these industrious spiders spend their time tending to their large, symmetrical webs, and hunting.  Over the years, we have been entertained watching them during late summer and into the fall season, so it seems only fair that they are repaid with a little music.😊Winter will be here soon, but for now, they enjoy Autumn with the rest of us!

The Orb Weaver

Many thanks to Timothy McGuire, who added his beautiful orchestration to my original piano composition, "Spring Begins". It is always a pleasure working with Timothy and to hear more of his amazing work, you can visit his SoundCloud page by clicking here: @tim_mcguire

Spring Begins - Timothy McGuire Mix

Thanks so much to Timothy McGuire who added his beautiful orchestration to my "Moonlight Dance" piano composition. It is always a pleasure working with Timothy and to hear more of his wonderful work, you can visit his SoundCloud page by clicking here: @tim_mcguire

Moonlight Dance - Timothy McGuire Mix

Born in County Cork, Ireland, Robert Farrell (my great-great-great grandfather), had a sense of adventure, so it was probably no surprise that in the 1800s, he boarded a ship for North America with his wife and daughter.  What was it like to travel from the Emerald Isle to a new world?  Perhaps he had mixed emotions, but more than likely, he was filled with excitement at the prospect of pursuing long-held dreams.  Ultimately, his story took a very unexpected turn...but that tale will have to be told in another musical work!

From The Emerald Isle

A follow-up song to "From the Emerald Isle" (also on my SoundCloud page), "No One Really Knows" tells the story of Robert Farrell (an ancestor of mine), who after arriving in North America and settling in Pennsylvania, gave up his tailoring business and family in order to seek his fortune in the Gold Rush of 1849.  Long story short, his family never heard from him again after he left Leavenworth, Kansas.  For a long time, his wife and daughter waited for a return that never happened and many years later, no one in the family knows what happened. 

Lyrics are not a part of the recording but are included below.
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Lyrics:
No one really knows what happened,
On that day in Kansas, when he disappeared.
Sold his shop in Pennsylvania, and
Left the family he'd lived with for over seven years.

Letters came home as he journeyed,
Telling friends and loved ones, he was doing fine.
Chasing, gold and chasing treasures,
As he traveled searching for the perfect mine.

But past Leavenworth, he simply disappeared,
Without a trace, without a word,
His family hoped and prayed that he would make it home one day,
But nothing else was ever heard, not a single word.

There were never any answers,
Just a thousand questions, no open cases closed,
Did he lose his life for gold, or start another family?
No one really knows, no one really knows...

Words & Music by Francess Harris.
All rights reserved.

No One Really Knows

Whisper In The Wind

The last autumn leaves are letting go and falling, after providing a season of beauty...A companion piece to "Whisper in the Wind".

Last Leaves Falling

Come Take My Hand

Thanks so much to Timothy McGuire who added his beautiful orchestration to my piano composition, "Emmanuel". It is always a pleasure working with Timothy and to hear more of his amazing work, you can visit his SoundCloud page by clicking here: @tim_mcguire

Emmanuel - Timothy McGuire Mix

Today, and every day, we pray for peace in our world.

Today We Pray For Peace

A Cherished Moment

Thanks so much to Timothy McGuire who added his beautiful orchestration to my piano composition, "Moments Remembered". It is always a pleasure working with Timothy and to hear more of his amazing work, you can visit his SoundCloud page by clicking here: @tim_mcguire

Moments Remembered - Timothy McGuire Mix

A little "quiet improvisation" from earlier today, this composition has a few elements reminiscent of an earlier work ("Today We Pray for Peace").  It seemed fitting however, since rest is easier to find when peace exists.

A Time Of Rest

A Winter Chill Arrives

Peaceful & Still

Many thanks to Timothy McGuire who added his beautiful orchestration to my piano composition, "Come Take My Hand". It is always a pleasure working with Timothy and to hear more of his incredible work, you can visit his SoundCloud page by clicking here: @tim_mcguire

Come Take My Hand - Timothy McGuire Mix

Faraway Dreams

A large branch of my family tree belongs to the McGill family, who found their way to North America in the 1700s, from Tullycahan, Louth, Ireland, when my 5th great-grandfather, John McGill, was 10 years old.  My grandmother would occasionally tell me stories about her ancestors...They worked hard, played hard, lived difficult lives, but still managed to love deeply and honor their family.  Recently, I lost a cousin from the McGill line and decided to revisit a little family history and create a composition that recalls the lives they lived and their journey to North America.

The McGills

Inspired by a long-remembered childhood dream of this tiny, mythical creature hovering over my windowsill, then abruptly leaving (represented by the final chord in the composition).

The Windowsill Faerie

"...He leads me beside the still waters." Psalm 23:2

I have always loved the poetry, and the messages contained in the book of Psalms.  Throughout my life, I have returned to the Psalms as a means of comfort during tough times and celebration in good times.  

Today, I have been reflecting on Psalm 23, specifically on the passage that mentions "still waters".  The though of stillness itself is very comforting in our modern-day world...We need peace and calm more than ever before.  Whether or not you are a reader of Psalms, I hope this music infuses your day with a few moments of stillness.

Still Waters

Winter Carol

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." - J.R.R. Tolkien

Time whispers constantly in the background of our lives, reminding us that we have a limited amount of it, and should strive to use it wisely and live with purpose.

Time Whispers

A reflective composition on the Christmas star.

Star Of Hope

I love improvising and “being in the moment” of creating and playing music at the same time. It’s like taking an impromptu snapshot of a particular point in time, to be remembered later. This work was created late one evening this past week on a very cold, clear evening when the house was warm, quiet and still.  I might revise it in the future, but for now, I like the musical picture and the memory of the peaceful moment it was created.

Beginning (An Improvisation)

Many thanks to Timothy McGuire who added his beautiful orchestration to my "Last Leaves Falling" piano composition. It is always a pleasure working with Timothy and to hear more of his incredible work, you can visit his SoundCloud page by clicking here: @tim_mcguire

Last Leaves Falling - Timothy McGuire Mix

Many thanks to Timothy McGuire who added his beautiful orchestration to my my piano composition, "The McGills".  It is always a pleasure working with Timothy and to hear more of his incredible work, you can visit his SoundCloud page by clicking here: @tim_mcguire

For the story behind the composition, see below:

A large branch of my family tree belongs to the McGill family, who found their way to North America in the 1700s, from Tullycahan, Louth, Ireland, when my 5th great-grandfather, John McGill, was 10 years old. My grandmother would occasionally tell me stories about her ancestors...They worked hard, played hard, lived difficult lives, but still managed to love deeply and honor their family. Recently, I lost a cousin from the McGill line and decided to revisit a little family history and create a composition that recalls the lives they lived and their journey to North America.

The McGills - Timothy McGuire Mix

Many thanks to Timothy McGuire who added his beautiful orchestration to my my "Joyful Hearts" piano composition. It is always a pleasure working with Timothy and to hear more of his incredible work, you can visit his SoundCloud page by clicking here: @tim_mcguire

Joyful Hearts - Timothy McGuire Mix

A Dream Of Falling Stars

Many thanks to Timothy McGuire who added his beautiful orchestration to my "Peaceful and Still" piano composition. It is always a pleasure working with Timothy and to hear more of his incredible work, you can visit his SoundCloud page by clicking here: @tim_mcguire

Peaceful And Still - Timothy McGuire Mix

Late today, I sat down to finish a particular music project, then never got around to it.  A few hours earlier, the news had included a tragic event and it was heavy on my heart.  Sitting at the piano and recalling the day’s events, my thoughts turned to the very old song, “Dona Nobis Pacem” (translated “grant us peace”), and this improvisation was the result. 
 
Originally a prayer from the Agnus Dei section of the Latin mass, “Dona Nobis Pacem” has typically been sung as a round. (My improvised arrangement uses the primary melody from the round. )  Over the years, the song has been published in church hymnals, appeared in popular programming/literature, and used to promote peace during turbulent times.

Today’s world is as turbulent as ever, peace is needed more than ever, and the prayer is as heartfelt as ever…Grant us peace.


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Improvised arrangement/piano: Francess Harris, based on
"Dona Nobis Pacem" traditional melody (in the public domain)

Dona Nobis Pacem

Welcome to my SoundCloud page.  It serves as a jar of sorts, to catch the musical ideas flying around in my head!  My hope is that you find something to listen to that offers encouragement and refreshes your soul.

PianoFran

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