Rainbow Bridge

Album Notes:

'Rainbow Bridge' ... an introduction..

Whether you're an enthusiastic listener or someone who is engaged in creating the music, 'tis a wonderful thing indeed to lose one's self in it; a blessing to the soul. I derive a great deal of enjoyment and satisfaction from my recording projects; arranging and orchestrating each of the musical phrases that make up a piece of music. Two of the pieces in this collection were new to me. I had never heard 'Ode to Newfoundland' or 'Nancy Spain' until it was suggested by friends that I include them in this collection. I'm glad I got introduced to these two lovely pieces.

I learned also that Newfoundland - the province that was a country - is the only province in Canada that has it's own anthem. I played 'Ode to Newfoundland' during a concert tour of that beautiful country in 2017. Imagine my surprise when I heard singing and looked out at the audience to see they were all standing with their right hands over their hearts, singing in a most stately manner. But I wasn't really surprised - during my many memorable visits to the Rock I have long since realized that Newfoundlanders are justly proud of their heritage and culture. In the composition of this anthem I have included an imprompto intermezzo which serves as a bridge between two different arrangements.

Most will agree that a lot of great music comes out of Ireland. Star of the County Down is an Irish melody which has been used for a number of songs, and hymns, too. But the most popular is a ballad set near Banbridge in County Down, where a young man falls instantly in love after a heart fluttering encounter with the fair Rosie McCann while he was out walking. He courts the girl then she emigrates to America.

One of the most successful movies of all time, The Wizard of Oz, gave us 'Over The Rainbow'. This timeless refrain became Judy Garland's signature song and of the most enduring ballads of the 20th century.

Some of the most beautiful melodies we hear today came to us long ago from the brilliant composers of classical music. Toselli's 'Serenata Rimpianto', known also as 'The Nightingale Serenade,' is one of the well known popular classics. Most people, upon hearing the title, would say they don't know this piece - then they hear it and would likely say 'oh yes, I love that music'! This would often be the case with Schubert's immortal 'Serenade' - one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written.

'The Shadow of Your Smile' arrived in the sixties and was introduced in the movie, The Sand Piper. I played this song often during my years playing music for ballroom dancing; it was very popular as a rhumba - the dance of lovers. People who say, 'they don't make music like they used to' are quite often reminiscing about music from the forties and fifties. This was the time when Cole Porter, a prolific songwriter, wrote many hit songs that brought him accolades from around the world - and have remained evergreens to this day; 'Night and Day' was one of his classics.

The last piece in this collection, 'Rainbow Bridge', I composed as a dedication. Inspiration for this work came from reflections on a wonderful relationship I had with my beloved dog, 'Tika' (Tee-ku), who we lost suddenly in March 2017. This six and a half minute opus is made up of six parts - each one being inspired by moments of remembrance.

• It would be unusual for me to go anywhere without Tika and our bond was tight and wonderful. I understood her every gesture - as she did mine. She came to us when she was eleven months and was a disturbed and unhappy soul as a result of ill treatment. It took two years to earn her trust, but our bonding began right away.. and she began to train me! The opening phrases of Rainbow Bridge I call: 'Jubilate - Deliverence from Sadness'....
• My dog and I would roam the hills together for hours. Come sunshine or snow, we never missed a day of play together. I generally never had her on a lead. She would most often walk ahead of me, her head up and her rear end bobbing up and down. It was my memory of her jaunty trot that inspired the second part: 'FourPaws - Footloose and Fancy Free'.
• While on our walks we would climb some of the hills that surround our village. From one particular hilltop it was possible to see for miles across peaceful countryside and a sky which had a different mood every day... a perfect place for meditation... I call this third passage: 'Peaceful Moments Under Pastel Skies'.
• As far as a dog is concerned every day is the perfect day to be joyful and they never cease to find joy in the ordinary.. The next brief passage gives expression to 'A Joyful Spirit.'
• When I consider the unlikely circumstances that brought Tika into our lives I am convinced it was a preordained event. Not all soulmates are human. Anyone who has ever truly loved a pet will confirm that these special animals are their soulmates. The one thing that can be said about these special pets is that their love is constant and unconditional. I still feel the presence of my beloved dog. Her gifts to me were many and I am very grateful for the time we shared. The finale` of this composition: Continuum of Bonded Spirits - Farewell until we meet at The Rainbow Bridge.Composing this music brought a peacefulness to a grieving heart... John Sands