Isolated and alone during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, sitting at my piano, I was thinking more and more often about young musicians of every age, background and ability, trying to imagine their anxiety, their worry, their sense of confusion. What were they doing? What were they thinking? What were they feeling? More importantly, what could I do to help?
The result was Microvids, 19 miniatures for piano, intended for beginner students of all ages. The title is a nod to Bartók’s Mikrokosmos, fondly remembered from my childhood, but the music is transposed to our own age and culture, with short pieces that are rhythmically compelling, musically tuneful, and - more importantly - emotionally uplifting.
Microvids also features an interesting theatrical touch: each piece comes with a descriptive title and a short accompanying poem, penned by this composer.
The music has been recorded by my friend, the superb pianist Donna Weng Friedman (who also had the idea of adding descriptive titles to each miniature). In the pianist’s words: “I want listening audiences to hear how new music can capture your heart with soaring melodies, heartbreakingly beautiful harmonies, and exciting passages - just like the great classics we all know and love”. (Broadway World).