Expert: Pat G - 7/5/2010

Question
Hello Pat -

I'm back! My second time around - and it may not be my last;  people keep putting up wonderful music on YouTube - which they never identify (if they did, I wouldn't have to write to you).  Anyway, here it is (solo piano) -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9bLJsgOMNo&feature=related

Thanks - Mark

Answer
Hello, Mark,

Boy did THAT bring back memories! I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when the world learned that Kennedy had been killed. I also remember Jacqueline's pink pillbox hat! I have also flown into Love Field in the 1950's. I was able to read the captions.

I'm not really able to be much help. This is what I would call a "light classic" or "space music". There are a few composers who are writing or improvising piano music like this. For example, the Greek composer Vangelis comes to mind. There are others. But he's the only one I can think of at the moment. The reason I say this is because musically, this piece is light-hearted, and the musical ideas are not quite as complex as you'd hear in a classical piece. Generally speaking, even in a simple piano piece, you will hear several different themes or styles. This seems to focus on one style, and just weaves a relatively simple melody in and out of the left hand part. You can find a lot of music like this in the archives of http://www.hos.com/ . This is "Hearts of Space" and they have quite a collection. Other than that, you can ask the person who put the movie on YouTube. They may not know, however. That was over 45 years ago! And someone else might have put on the soundtrack.

I don't know how much this helps, but hopefully it will provide some good pleasure.