Slideshow image

St Dunstan's own Robert Kowalewski has kindly shared his composition for piano 'The Voyage Of Life', written in memory of his father.

About the piece, Bob writes, 

"The Voyage Of Life is dedicated to the memory of my father, Joseph Kowalewski. A proud American of Polish ancestry, he lived from 1927 to 2012 in Buffalo, New York. This piece incorporates elements of his world, briefly quoting 20th-century American composers and drawing on the Polish national anthem and Slavic dance (although in truth his preferred music was the polka).

"The overall structure of the piece is inspired by the set of four Thomas Cole paintings of the same name. However, in contrast to the strict chronological development in Cole's work, the movements here touch on aspects of life's voyage that are experienced, to different degrees, at all ages, and the piece is more positive in its overall tone and outlook. The first movement evokes the non-self-conscious joy of dancing, a lifelong love of my father. The second speaks of dreaming, in both senses of that word. The third movement is a journey through loneliness, love and longing as we try to make sense of our lives. The final movement speaks of the inner peace we attain by steps, and of the ultimate acceptance of our mortality." [source]