When I start playing "Pale Memories Of Wisdom," I gently press the piano keys, letting each note breathe and find its place in the air. I want you to know, as a listener, that this is not just a melody; it’s like an open window into thoughts lost in time, where pale memories and moments filled with hidden meaning reside.

As the piece unfolds, you might sense a subtle sadness, but it’s a sadness filled with respect, with quietness. It’s as if each note touches a hidden corner of the soul, where we keep what once was and still hold dear. I’ve chosen chords that resonate subtly, like a whisper or a distant echo from someone who’s learned to look back without regret.

In the middle sections, you may feel a gentle warmth, hope slipping between the notes like a ray of light filtering through autumn leaves. This is the part where, even in moments of deep silence, I feel there is a future waiting to be discovered.

As the piece nears its end, I return to the main theme, softer now, as if putting a period on a story that will remain, from now on, in quietude. Maybe what I played is about me, maybe it’s about you, but I hope each note accompanies you in your own memories, your own inner journey.

Pale Memories Of Wisdom

Inspired by the film That They May Face the Rising Sun (Pat Collins, 2023). Near the beginning, the sunrise over the lake is accompanied by some Bach keyboard music. My nocturne takes up where the film (and Bach) leave off, a night piece looking towards the sunrise. Painting: Sunrise by Thomas Treherne, reproduced with permission. https://www.thomastreherne.com/sketches

Nocturne: That They May Face the Rising Sun

Intermezzo

I simply wanted to express the raw emotions I have about life.

Life's Change

Siciliano Bach

Navigation 24 February 2025

A variation on a theme by Francois Couperin.  It was composed after my time at the European American Musical Alliance in Paris.  It is performed by Markus Kaitila at The Hit Factory, NYC on July 6, 2025.  Maximilien Hein was the Recording and Mixing Engineer on the project. Special thanks to Ray Lustig for help during the recording session.

Couperin Variation No. 1 - Under the Mountain Road

A second variation on a theme by Francois Couperin.  My initial plan was to compose a fugue but the piece soon took on a shape of its own.  It was composed after my time at the European American Musical Alliance in Paris.  It is performed by Markus Kaitila at The Hit Factory, NYC on July 6, 2025.  Maximilien Hein was the Recording and Mixing Engineer.  Special thanks to Ray Lustig for help during the recording session.

Couperin Variation No.2 - Runaway Fugue

Francis Poulenc - Improvisation No. 7
Played, recorded, and produced by Alice Hsu.

Francis Poulenc - Improvisation No. 7 | Alice Hsu

I'm a multi-media artist and composer.  I play the Uilleann pipes, piano and tin whistle.  I compose, paint and and make videos.  I am deeply interested and concerned about the state of our planet and the all the living things that depend on it.  I live in New Jersey, can often be found in New York City, and escape to Vermont, where "I go to lose my mind and find my soul," as John Muir so poetically put it.

Hi, I’m Alice Hsu. I was born in Taiwan and now live in the United States.

Here, I share my musical works, including original piano compositions, piano covers, and recordings of classical pieces.

If you’d like to download scores or read more stories behind my compositions, please visit my blog.

I hope you enjoy the piano music here! ✨🎹♭♯✨

As a seasoned banker, I believe in maintaining a balanced life despite the demands of a fast-paced career. Music, particularly smooth jazz, bossa nova, and instrumental genres, offers me a refined way to unwind and find focus. These curated sounds bring a sense of calm and sophistication to my day, providing both relaxation and inspiration. I invite you to explore the playlists that help me stay grounded, offering a peaceful counterbalance to the intensity of my professional life

Hello! 
I'm Chas_G
Please listen to my music often!

I'm a composer, organist, pianist and theologian. All the music here is by me unless otherwise indicated - the other pieces are by collaborators, particularly from the family of the Dominican Order which is my life context.

New tracks tagged #Classical, Piano