In Effect, Remembering Bill Goodwin

 Yes, I would wear a T-shirt that reads “Press and Hold for More Options.”

Porridger’s Almanack (Breakfast of Ganglions)

Mr. Reiter nodded and sighed: “The worst barbarian is one sprung from the civilization itself. He knows from the inside precisely what he is perversely rejecting. The outside barbarian is jealous, and secretly wants to lose his barbarism, to become part of something greater, but his pride prevents it, like a child refusing to accept a lollipop. But the barbarian from the inside has experienced civilization, and still wants to destroy it. Yes, the civilized barbarian is the worst.”

— Leo Schulte

Whether one or more, or none of my pieces should find use in the Redeemer/First Christmas celebrations this year, I have very much enjoyed revisiting the pieces, and it is gratifying to have the music considered by sympathetic ears and eyes. Most especially, I am pleased to have reconstructed a piece which I had practically given up as lost—for yesterday I completed reconstruction of the Opus 61.

To recapitulate, then, I have lately “dusted off:”

The Snow Lay on the Ground, Op. 68
Reflections upon a French Carol, Op. 61
I Look from Afar, Op.60
Joseph & Mary, Op. 53

As suggested by the cluster of Opus numbers, these pieces are right in the “sweet spot” of music which the late Bill Goodwin generously afforded me the opportunity to compose (and indeed to conduct) at Woburn’s historic First Congregational Church. Bill was always enormously supportive, and pretty much made me free to write what I pleased. A list as near complete as dammit of music I composed for Bill appears in this post.

Le tombeau de W.A.G., Op.122

I thought of adapting the Op. 122 for our sextet for the Henning Ensemble next year, but I keep misremembering it as a piece for quintet, where in fact it’s a trio. Might still adapt it for April in King’s Chapel.