This piece started life as a little work for piano. I went to see Hans last year (2005) at his villa outside Rome and he was kind enough to mention he very much liked a string movement I had recently written. So when I was asked to write something for his 80th birthday this year, I knew I wanted to write a string piece for him and I developed the little piano piece into this work. The music is very reflective and reminds me of wonderful days spent in his company over the many years I have known him.
Mark-Anthony Turnage, 2006
Reproduction Rights
This programme note can be reproduced free of charge in concert programmes with a credit to the composer