Work
Ship Waltzes
for piano
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About
I started my second cruise ship contract as a sketch and improv music director for Second City with a resolution: I would compose and notate a brand new miniature waltz for piano, one a day for all 127 days of the contract. I made it to 23 days – admittedly better than nothing. This collection is twelve of them, a mix of traditional, swing and weird waltzes.
Some were inspired by specific cruise ship phenomena: the Chicago-themed-ish steakhouse on Deck 8, the rush back to Manhattan’s Pier 88 to meet my all aboard after a cruelly short three hours in an actual proper city, and how groups of teenage passengers are drawn to stairwells like moths to flames. Others were to do with my frame of mind or my day-to-day: silly warmups with my company of improvisers, boring sea days, and waiting for news of the birth of my second nephew.
Contents note
I. Bombard
II. Hoppity-Bop
III. Cagney’s
IV. Folia moderna
V. Excitable Puppy / Dark Dog
VI. Teenagers in Stairwells (too cool for school)
VII. Crew All Aboard
VIII. Waiting for the Text (8lb 14oz)
IX. Echauffement triomphal (Dumb Warmups)
X. Listing While Listless
XI. The One With The Clicks
XII. Bye Bye Land
Performance history
24 May 2019: Performed by John Van Buskirk at Yvette Williams Retirement Village, Dunedin
26 May 2019: Performed by John Van Buskirk at Mornington Methodist Church, Dunedin