Album Notes

Originally composed as incidental music for John Alban Coughlan's play "Of Lives and Lives," directed by Chuck Blasius, the score has been re-designed as a single three-part suite, inspired by three short stories of Anton Chekhov: "Two of a Kind," "Other People's Money," and "The Darling."

The Main Theme represents the stationhouse where the characters wait. Each on a separate journey; each to play a part in a shared memory or possible future. The last to enter is a young couple, prepared for travel.

Variation 1 (Upon Embarking) is based on Chekhov's Two of a Kind. Youth; a wedding party, a blissful honeymoon coach ride through the forest, a disturbing visit with an embarrassing uncle, a rush to leave, the journey continues but the pace and mood have slowed, then a surprising decision to happily turn around and go back.

Variation 2 (Upon Arriving) is inspired by Other People's Misfortune. Midlife; a long auto trip from the noisy city into the quiet countryside. A couple journey to a strange and seemingly deserted house; birch trees, a summerhouse, all under the watchful eyes of ever present ghosts, faces in the windows who never leave but are ready to welcome those who have come to join them..

Variation 3 (Upon Departing) explores The Darling. Maturity; thunder and a sudden playful rainstorm bring us to a porch, a childlike but older woman who longs to love or leave, a proposal of marriage, a march of busy town gossip, sudden death and a funeral; a hopeful heart grows weary, settles and lingers in regret as she imagines a new beginning.

The sounds of a waking locomotive interrupt as the stationhouse is emptied and a young couple runs to board the departing train.