Memoirs, memories, in memoriam Solomon Mikowsky: Theme, Variations, and Finale
Solo piano / 15 min.
Program Note
When Solomon Mikowsky died on March 16, 2024, the world lost one of its great piano pedagogues. His students at the Manhattan School of Music have gone on to be star performers and master teachers. Ten of them, led by Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz, came together to commission me to compose Apartment 5G (titled for the abode where he taught many a lesson), a set of variations on an original theme, with a variation dedicated to each pianist. Conversations with the participants painted a rich portrait of a passionate and demanding teacher, with a sense of humor and a love for the rhythms of his native Cuba. Across the variations and finale, I tried to capture the many facets of his personality that so powerfully motivated his many students.
