{"product_id":"three-ballads-and-a-gymnopedie","title":"Three Ballads and a Gymnopédie","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eComposer's Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eEach of the three ballads and the \u003cem\u003egymnopédie\u003c\/em\u003e in this program were written for people who have been especially meaningful in my life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe furst ballad, \u003cem\u003eMel’s Song\u003c\/em\u003e, was composed in honor of the late Mel Strauss, a fine musician and dear friend, on the occasion of his 75th birthday.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe second, \u003cem\u003eSong for Judith\u003c\/em\u003e, was written for my wife, Judith Glaser.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe final ballad, \u003cem\u003eReturn to Star Lake\u003c\/em\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe ballads draw inspiration from the rich tradition of American musical theatre—Gershwin, Porter, Bernstein, Berlin, Rogers and Hammerstein, Eubie Blake, Noble Sissle, and so many others. Each is connected to the next by a brief transition, creating an unbroken musical arc.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe \u003cem\u003egymnopédie\u003c\/em\u003e belongs to a different lineage altogether. The form was introduced by French composer Erik Satie in his T\u003cem\u003erois Gymnopédies\u003c\/em\u003e—quiet, languid pieces in 3\/4 time that avoided dramatic contrasts in tempo or intensity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eMy own \u003cem\u003egymnopédie\u003c\/em\u003e, written for my friend Elaine Bowdich, begins in the spirit of Satie’s model, but gradually diverges—gathering momentum, building to a large climax, and finally returning to the calm simplicity of its opening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eI am grateful to Lynn and Laura Klock, who patiently awaited this work, and for whom it has been my pleasure to rework and link these pieces into the form presented here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eNew engraved 2nd edition from Michael Golzmane.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Robert Stern","offers":[{"title":"Physical - Score + 7 Parts","offer_id":51930223214812,"sku":"ACA-STER-016","price":78.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Physical - Score Only","offer_id":51930223247580,"sku":"ACA-STER-016s","price":44.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Digital (PDF) - Score + 7 Parts","offer_id":51930223280348,"sku":"ACA-STER-016e","price":59.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0685\/8198\/2428\/files\/PagesfromStern_ThreeBallads-Fullscore_Page_1.jpg?v=1783108152","url":"https:\/\/composers.com\/products\/three-ballads-and-a-gymnopedie","provider":"American Composers Alliance","version":"1.0","type":"link"}