DESCRIPTION

This is a live recording of a 1998 concert that was held in honor of Doris and Bill Preucil on the occasion of their retirement from the Preucil School of Music, a renowned Suzuki Method institution in Iowa City, Iowa.

The CD is 77 minutes long and features a variety of classical works, performed by professionally active Preucil School alumni (including all four of Doris and Bill's children).

The program ends with a piece that Doris Preucil commissioned me to write especially for this occasion: My piece, entitled “Remembrances,” is a lush and emotionally stirring string arrangement of these two melodies:

♦  Dvořák's “Songs My Mother Taught Me” (a favorite piece of Doris Preucil's)

♦  “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” (the very first piece every Suzuki student learns)

To learn more about my piece entitled “Remembrances” and to hear sound clips, click here.

I was honored that this piece was chosen to conclude the Gala Benefit Concert of the 2014 Conference of the Suzuki Association of the Americas.

AVAILABILITY

To obtain the CD entitled “Remembrances” (which contains the entire gala concert — including my piece, “Remembrances”), please order it directly from the Preucil School of Music.

REVIEWS

Doris Preucil, founder of the Preucil School of Music:

" 'Remembrances' is based on two melodies that evoke feelings of love and nostalgia — 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star' and Dvořák's 'Songs My Mother Taught Me.'

Peter's arrangement is creative and the scoring is rich. He knows how to write effectively for strings, and knows how to bring out maximum resonance. Performers and audiences alike are very moved by this piece, and I listen to it again and again.

[This piece] is especially meaningful for those who have grown up in the Suzuki environment, since they began their musical journey with 'Twinkle' and parental help — but it is equally desirable and effective as a concert piece. I am most happy to recommend it."

— Doris Preucil, Founder and Director Emeritus of the Preucil School of Music, and former President of the Suzuki Association of the Americas

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Clarisse Atcherson, Suzuki instructor:

" 'Remembrances' by Peter Bloesch is a favorite piece for my husband and me. There's something about the lush, full-string orchestration, enhanced by piano and harp, that makes it evoke deep feelings in the listener.

Peter's use of introduction, transition, and coda is masterful. The piece flows from Dvořák's 'Songs my Mother Taught Me' into a magical, stately arrangement of 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,' and ends with a grand flourish.

I loved performing this piece and hope I will play it many more times. I highly recommend it to string ensembles."

— Clarisse Atcherson, Suzuki instructor; Past President of the Oregon Chapter of the American String Teachers Association; and violinist with the Oregon Symphony

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Audience comment:

"Your string piece 'Remembrances' was truly wonderful. I had to 'weep a little weep' when I heard your arrangement of 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.' It was so full of emotion and like no other 'Twinkle' I've heard before."