Simply Beautiful Collection I

This album, SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL COLLECTION I, began with the realization that I had more melodies than I had time. My compositions reflect the diversity of my musical taste and the return to the classical elements of my youth. 'Misty Night' - one of my very first compositions. It was a show stopper at a songwriters' showcase in Los Angeles featuring the latest genres of music. The reaction to it was - ---TOTAL SURPRISE! Loud music that had dominated the evening was replaced with the soft, penetrating notes of 'Misty Night.' 'Cella' - the inner part of an ancient Greek or Roman temple, housing the statue of a god or goddess. The image of this sanctuary drew me into a tranquility that I'd like to share with you. The piano and violins will transport you to that place... 'Dandelions' Waltz' - Upon returning from a Sondheim production, I was inspired to write the verse. It would be another three years before I heard the chorus that would complete the waltz. Even now I feel like dancing when I hear it...and I do!! 'Mystery' - All I remember noting is that this was the longest and quickest composition I had written to date. 'Blisswood' - Was out for dinner with a songwriter friend. She mentioned a bed and breakfast in Cat Spring, Texas. I loved the name Blisswood and said I'd have to write a song with that title. So I looked up the word on the internet, wrote the title on a piece of paper and placed it by the piano. Awoke the next morning with a beautiful melody and knew I was in Blisswood. 'Snowdrifts' - This piano solo captures visions of winter in Ohio. 'Linden' - On a street lined with linden trees, the ambrosial aroma of the tiny yellow-white flowers surround you and draw bees from miles around. I expect the linden flowers to attract you as it did me. 'Midnight and Promises' - This melody has had three different lyrics but I decided to keep the instrumental arrangement. 'Fairy Garden' - Just foolin' around at the piano...what a fun place to be! 'Little Ballerinas' - a student favorite with an interesting rhythm pattern... 'If' - While reading the poem 'If' by Rudyard Kipling, I was inspired to write the music. See if it will inspire you as well. 'Zephyr' - A gentle breeze closes out this compact disc. The violin and piano capture the deep melancholy of the music.