I am often asked where the inspiration and titles come from for my music. I share the following descriptions, not as moral sermons, but simply as explanations, and in some cases to connect the drama in the music to the pictured scene running through my mind when writing and playing them.
GOOGLE ME This piece is dedicated to my good friend, and media and entertainment guru, Charles R. Boswell, Jr., who related to me in a conversation about recording software “Google me, I know what I‘m talking about!” So, Google him!
ELEVENTH HOUR This piece emotionally reflects the escalating events surrounding the arrest and betrayal of Jesus, His being led out of the Garden into the darkness of the night….abandoned by His disciples.
EL AMOR DE MI VIDA Written for my beloved wife, this piece is truly from my heart. I put my college Spanish to use in naming this one. It has frequently been requested for weddings and anniversaries around the world.
BRITTANY’S LAMENT This piece was written for and is dedicated to my niece, Brittany.
TO HAVE & TO HOLD I wrote this piece to play for a wedding. It has since been requested numerous times. It is dedicated to my friends Eddie and Patsy Elrod….for “The Peanut.”
MOTHER MARY Written for my mother, Mary, for Mother’s Day. “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30, NIV). I love you Mom.
DARWIN’S DILEMMA While I was playing this yet unnamed piece, someone remarked that it has more transitional forms than the fossil record! This piece is dedicated to Dr. David Berlinski, Ph.D.
MARJORIE & ATHENA Written for my friend, Marjorie, commemorating her special relationship with her “four pawed soul-mate,” an Irish Setter named Athena.
THESE THREE REMAIN: Dedicated to my good friend, pianist, and composer, Michael Dulin, this is a short suite of three pieces based on 1 Corinthians 13:13, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” NIV
FAITH “...faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see...” (Heb 11 NIV)
HOPE “…a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life...” (Titus 1: 1, 2 NIV)
LOVE “...God is Love.” (1 John 4:7-19 NIV)
SIMPLE TRUST One period of my life was a time of monetary lack and physical uncertainty, and in which my greatest possession was a simple trust in God. Yet it was a time in which I had a great sense of peace and contentment. This piece reflects that time and the faith born from it, and is dedicated to my Dad.
ACCEPTANCE From the Kübler-Ross model of the five stages of grief, this piece conveys to me the spiritual growth in which one comes to terms with the reality of a certain loss. Acceptance catalyzes the process of coping, emotional healing, moving forward, and finding peace. This piece is dedicated to Yvonne Ford.
SET FREE During one challenging time in my life, I happened to see a bumper sticker that read “Let Go and Let God,” reminding me that a power far greater than me is in control. This piece reflects on the paradox that only by letting go and trusting Him can you truly be set free. This piece is dedicated to Dr. Charles Hayden.
APES IN THE ROTUNDA This piece was written while on vacation in 2007 in Daytona Beach, FL. I forget what was happening in the political arena at the time, but it was something that prompted me to dedicate this work to our state and federal legislators, as a sort of illustration of the age old battle between brilliance and idiocy.
BRIGHT GREY This piece reflects a pensive, yet hopeful spirit of emergence from my self-imposed musical cocoon and is my first piece of original music written after a nearly 15 year long sabbatical. This piece is dedicated to David Walbert, my good friend, colleague, and teacher.
Guitars Used: Breedlove Focus, Breedlove Focus Custom, Kenji Carrera SJ, Taylor GS, RTaylor Style 1, Stonebridge GS-23-CR
Sheet music to all pieces is available at www.derekpatton.com
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