|
| |
| |
"Cancione" sound clip.
|
Mother's Day Memorial Concert Program |
|
Sunday May 8, 2005, 3:30PM Temple Shir Tikvah,
34 Vine Street Winchester, MA 01890
Tel: 781-729-1263 |
|
|
Shir
Tikvah String Ensemble
Barbara Oren, Harris Shilakowsky, violin
Sonia Oram, David Schreiber, viola
Jon Dreyer, Sandi-Jo Malmon, cello |
|
 String Quartet No.
2 in D major - Borodin
Dedicated to Motherhood |
|
Cancione for
String Sextet - Ramsey Ameen
Premiere Performance
Dedicated
to Nancy Friedman Grassian, 1951-2004
Dear Stuart,
You and your family have my deepest sympathy as you continue to cope
with the loss of your beloved wife
Nancy. What I have read
about Nancy leaves no doubt about her extraordinary vivacity and
connectedness to others, or about her remarkable courage in enduring
what must have been an incredibly difficult course of treatment for so
many years.
How do we carry on after such loss? I believe that such persons as
Nancy, who give so much to others while living, bequeath an enduring
gift after their passing, in the persistent survival of their most
uniquely beautiful qualities in the hearts and minds of those who knew
them best.
When I heard of your loss, I immediately began to write a piece of
music, "Cancione." This music is dedicated to Nancy, to you, to your
family, and to all those who knew and loved Nancy. The human truth
at the heart of "Cancione" is expressed in this poem by Emily Dickinson:
"We learn in the Retreating
How vast an
one
Was recently among us –
A Perished Sun
Endear in the departure
How doubly more
Than all the Golden Presence
It was – before –"
I hope that this gesture of friendship through music will offer some
small measure of support to you and your loved ones now and in the
future. I wish you and your family the continued fulfillment of the all
goals and dreams that you and Nancy shared.
Sincerely,
Ramsey Ameen |
Intermission
|
|
Alexander Ameen, Piano |
|
Sonata in A major, Op.101 -
Beethoven, 1st and 2nd Movements
Dedicated to
Compassion and Courage |
|
Well Tempered
Clavier Book 1
Prelude and Fugue in D minor - Bach
Dedicated to Mara Beller,
1945-2004
Dear Mr.
Beller,
I was very moved by the words you wrote about your wife
Mara Beller. Having learned
more about Mara, I now understand why Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier
Prelude and Fugue in D minor will be an excellent dedication to the
memory of her life.
Mara's unusual interpretations of "Copenhagen" by Michael Frayn and "Novogodnee"
by Tsevetaeva were inspiring to read about. I think my interpretation of
Bach's Prelude and Fugue in D minor is a very unique one. This music,
which is so open to interpretation, will be a fitting tribute to such a
creative person as Mara. The numerous unexpected turns the music takes
can relate to someone who "always managed to surprise."
I am especially interested in Mara's idea of a dialogue after death. I
never considered such a thing before, but after reading about her I
started wondering what it would be like to have a conversation with
departed relatives. I think this Bach piece, especially with the surreal
atmosphere during the fugue, captures the essence of this idea and
creates a world where this type of communication is possible.
The story of Mara Beller is a touching one. From now on, whenever I play
this Bach Prelude & Fugue, I'll be thinking of your words and their
characterization of your wife. I hope you will find that the music I
will play for Mara can highlight and communicate some of her qualities
and personality.
Sincerely,
Alex Ameen |
| |
|
|
Works for Solo
Piano - Bartok |
|
Round Dance
Dedicated
for our contributors to their Loved Ones
Fairy Tale
+ Improvisation, w/Ramsey Ameen, violin, Ed
Levine, percussion.
Fairy Tale
dedicated
to Laura McNamee
Improvisation dedicated to Amber Ameen
Chorale
Dedicated
to Lillian S. Goldrich, 1921-1974
Evening in The
Country
Dedicated
to Mary D. Ameen
|
|
In a Sentimental
Mood - Duke Ellington, w/Jon
Dreyer, bass
Dedicated to Love and Friendship |
|
|
Pianist Alexander Ameen, age 16, is generously performing in
this concert as a community service volunteer. |
|
|
