Arietta

While viewing silent images recorded during one of my recent live performances (this one at the Québec Jazz Festival in October 2011), I was listening to the second movement of Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata in C minor, opus 111 (Arietta, adagio molto semplice e cantabile). I was struck by the "accidental" dialog that occurred between those silent images, and that music. So, as usual, I "religiously" heed to those "accidents" and proceeded to make the piece presented here.
This music has been with me for many years. It is the piece I would like to have performed during my funeral. And the interpretation that has grabbed me most since hearing it many years ago is by the fabulous pianist Vladimir Feltsman http://www.feltsman.com.
Mr. Feltsman was kind enough to allow me to use this recording of the Arietta to make this film, and while I was nearing the point at which I usually put to rest a new piece, I learned of the death of Montserrat Figueras. I had to make a tribute to Montserrat http://vimeo.com/33622600 before returning to the Arietta.
Little did I know that while I was mourning Montserrat Figueras, and also making a film that may be screened during my own funeral, a very close friend and collaborator, Carol Novack, the writer with whom I made "Civil War" http://vimeo.com/26869484 and "Destination" http://vimeo.com/26782140 was about to die (on Dec.29, 2011).
So this "Arietta" is for Carol Novack (1948-2011).
If she can hear/see it, she will know that I/we miss her, and no doubt, she will be delighted to know that she was able to make me/us happy -and miserable- again!