In crafting music that speaks from the heart, I often reflect on the words of 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.
This profound declaration inspired me to create a collection of pieces I call Love Letters. Each piece is a musical expression lasting approximately 3-5 minutes, dedicated to someone dear to me. These compositions are my way of conveying emotions and memories that words alone cannot capture
This is the fifth piece in the Love Letter collection, written during a pivotal and transformative period in my life. I had recently moved to the San Francisco Bay Area with a rock band, seeking a fresh start. In doing so, I left behind a girlfriend in Dallas, to whom this piece is dedicated. At the time, I didn’t anticipate seeing her again, but after six to eight months, she made the decision to follow me out here.
Interestingly, I wrote this piece after she arrived in California, though its heart lies in the time we spent apart. It’s a reflection of the distance and longing that marked that chapter of our relationship, as well as the hope and connection that persisted despite the miles.
What makes this Love Letter particularly special is that she was the first person I ever dedicated a piece to who could actually play it, being a pianist herself. The music carries a deep personal resonance, blending themes of separation, yearning, and eventual reunion. Through its phrasing and melodic structure, it seeks to capture the emotional tapestry of our experience—a love sustained through distance and uncertainty.
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Tags: Love Letter, piano