This piece holds a special place in my heart, as it sparked the Love Letters collection, a series exploring personal and emotional connections through music, which continues with each composition I add to it. This idea was inspired by a card I received from my mother, which included this quote from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In a letter to his father dated November 8, 1777, Mozart wrote:
I cannot write poetically, for I am no poet.
I cannot artfully arrange my phrases so as to give light and shade.
Neither am I a painter;
Nor can I even express my thoughts by gesture and pantomime, for I am no dancer.
But I can do so in sounds.
I am a musician.
As someone who is dyslexic and has always struggled with writing, this quote resonated deeply with me. Music has always been my preferred way to express myself, and this composition uniquely captures my emotions.
A Love Letter: “Dear Mom” was written for my mom, Connie Cooke, as a heartfelt gift for her birthday or Christmas in 1989. In many ways, it felt like the musical equivalent of a football player saying “Hi Mom” on TV.
The piece was composed for a college music theory class, which explains its Romantic-style tonality. It also marked the beginning of my exploration of using the voice as an instrument, rather than as a medium for traditional singing with words and story. The vocalist here is tasked with creating expressive sounds rather than conveying lyrics, a technique I later expanded on in Music for Humans.
A friend of mine from the class performed and recorded the piece for me, singing and playing the piano with heartfelt precision. Her interpretation brought a warmth and intimacy to the music, enhancing its emotional depth and personal connection. Unfortunately, that recording has since been lost, but the memory of its creation and performance remains a cherished part of my musical journey.
Discover more from Michael Cooke | Blog
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Tags: Love Letter