Composer’s Note:

Each of the three ballads and the gymnopdie in this program were written for people who have beenespecially meaningful in my life.

The first ballad, Mels Song, was composed in honor of the late Mel Strauss, a fine musician and dear friend,on the occasion of his 75th birthday.

The second, Song for Judith, was written for my wife, Judith Glaser.

The final ballad, Return to Star Lake, was originally composed for my colleague, bassist Salvatore Macchia,with me at the piano; in this arrangement, it appears in an expanded version enriched by clarinets,saxophone, horn, and percussion.

The ballads draw inspiration from the rich tradition of American musical theatreGershwin, Porter,Bernstein, Berlin, Rogers and Hammerstein, Eubie Blake, Noble Sissle, and so many others. Each isconnected to the next by a brief transition, creating an unbroken musical arc.

The gymnopdie belongs to a different lineage altogether. The form was introduced by French composer ErikSatie in his Trois Gymnopdiesquiet, languid pieces in 3/4 time that avoided dramatic contrasts in tempoor intensity.

My own gymnopdie, written for my friend Elaine Bowdich, begins in the spirit of Saties model, butgradually divergesgathering momentum, building to a large climax, and finally returning to the calmsimplicity of its opening.

I am grateful to Lynn and Laura Klock, who patiently awaited this work, and for whom it has been mypleasure to rework and link these pieces into the form presented here.

New engraved 2nd edition from Michael Golzmane.