About this work: This is an improved version of the 1983 "First Love, in May" listed in my Compositions.
(This 2009 version has been superseded by the 2011 version. Please go to the improved 2011 version, which is accompanied by additional information and a recording.)
It is the third in a set of ten piano pieces first posted in the last quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009.
The recording here is that of the computer playback of the score, thus the sound quality is not as good as that of a real piano and the play is rather mechanical.
The playback will be improved in the upcoming 2011 version.
Different computer systems will produce different quality sounds. The piece sounds far better when played on a real piano by a proficient pianist.
The titles of the pieces are:
1. Mazurka March
2. Ballad
3. First Love, in May
4. Hispanic Rhapsody
5. Hymn of Consolation
6. Nocturne
7. Spanish Sonatina
8. Variations on a Game
9. Venetian Cadence
10. Rondo Refrain (designed for improvisation between the repeated “refrain” section)
If the pieces are all played on one occasion, I recommend that they be played in the given order.
To help the pianist interpret the pieces, performance recommendations and options are placed in boxes on each of the scores.
Finale file copies of these pieces, which can be printed out and played back after downloading, are available at www.finalemusic.com . (This requires one of the Finale family of notation programs, one of which, Finale Reader, is available free at this website.) In the “Showcase Your Music” menu, click on “Search”, enter “Raymond Michael Reddy” in the Composer box.
The indicated duration (2 minutes, 39 seconds) is that of the computer playback.