Gianna Patchett - 2021

Mourning Dove

This earth is full of memories, recorded in the flutter of leaves in the wind and the blue of the sky at midday. For me, one of the most potent is that of Thanksgivings spent in the desert of Arizona. I remember resting on the cool grass as heat from the western wind settled heavy around us, even in November. I remember the sound of unseen cicadas, humming as they emerged from their slumber, blanketed by the thick smell of citrus trees. But most of all I remember the soft sound of the Mourning Dove, gentle in the dawn. It is a song I still sing today.

“Mourning Dove” is a piece for solo piano inspired by this simple bird song. The pattern of seven notes can be heard in the opening of the piece. The thought for this composition came from our discussion about biodiversity and I felt a need to preserve a beautiful aspect of nature that may someday be lost. As I began to compose however, an interesting thing happened. I found that the music was too fluid, too free, to write down. Every time I sat at the piano something new came out and each was beautiful and unique. It occurred to me that it was representative of nature. A birdsong will never be exactly the same twice, just as a beautiful sunset is singular. Therefore, the recording included here is but one version of “Mourning Dove.” It is one moment preserved and offers a plea that the wonders of nature be preserved as well.