Mnémosyne -Souvenirs d’année en année-

– Note

Mnémosyne
– Souvenirs d’année en année –

The title “kai-sou-fu” in Japanese is an im- pressionistic term that implys memories of old days. Because there is no English translation for this title, a friend of the composer suggest- ed the French title, which means “souvenirs from year to year.” This music includes a short story written by the composer to evoke the feelings the composer is trying to convey.

Imagine an old man sitting on a bench in a back yard with a cup of coffee, remembering days gone by. A retrospective melody plays repeatedly, sometimes quietly, sometimes emotionally, always changing.

Suddenly, as he day-dreams, the old man feels young again and starts to dance with unsteady steps. Before long, he tires and returns to his bench. The afternoon sun shines golden as it sets. The old man’s coffee has gone cold and his days have caught up to him. The nostalgic melody repeats over and over as he continues to remember his past.