Overture for Jeanie was specially written for the 7th Annual WARchild Gala Concert, held in the City Museum, Plymouth, on May 22nd, 2004, and played by Clive Jenkins and myself.

The 'Jeanie' in the title is Jeanie Moore MVO, who has been organising these Gala Concerts, as well as the ongoing International Series of Lunchtime R... (more)

Overture for Jeanie was specially written for the 7th Annual WARchild Gala Concert, held in the City Museum, Plymouth, on May 22nd, 2004, and played by Clive Jenkins and myself.

The 'Jeanie' in the title is Jeanie Moore MVO, who has been organising these Gala Concerts, as well as the ongoing International Series of Lunchtime Recitals at the City Museum, where the first performance was given.

This piece is based on her Christian name, turning 'Jeanie' into the two notes G and E (below). This motif is then used as the main thematic material for a number of different sections which aim to hint at some of the different musical genres heard throughout the season. After a typical 'Broadway-style' opening, the Jeanie theme then changes into a waltz, typical of some of the 'songs from the shows' sung over the season, then into a paso doble section, typical of some of the flamenco and guitar music heard, then into a jazz section, before setting off with some Bach-like counterpoint in a more classical vein. This leads to a mock 'patriotic' and rather Elgarian section, which acknowledges Jeanie's award of the MVO (Member of the Royal Victorian Order). A short, faster section closes the Overture. There's just a very brief reference to another well-known 'Jeanie', but their hair colour is certainly somewhat different! Whilst all the sections are specific references to Jeanie Moore MVO, by virtue of being based on the 'G & E' motif, the piece would still make a good opening, or closing piece for any piano duettists' recital.

There is now an arrangement of this piece for Wind Band, where its title has sensibly been changed to SHOWTIME, as the otherwise local referencee would be lost outside the Plymouth area! It is published by EDITIONS MARC REIFT of Switzerland. This Wind Band arrangement is now published by EDITIONS MARC REIFT of Switzerland.

The attached MP3 file features a brand new CD recording of the Wind Band arrangement: Show Time. Please click here for further details!

Why one real regret in having written this piece was that, during its composition, my dear late mum, who sadly passed away just over a month before its first performance, kept saying to me: "You've never written a piece like this for me, but you're writing one for Jeanie Moore!" Mum had ths wonderful second-sense of being able to see through people, even if she had only spoken with them on the phone. And her initial gut-feeling uncannily nearly always proved right, with the fullness of time.
Of course, with the benefit of hindsight, I now realise how wrong I was at the time, not just because mum died, but also because she was far more deserving of a musical tribute. Yes, 'Sylvia' would have given me a few more musical problems, but 'S' could provide me with 'Es' (E flat in German), and I'd just have to get on with it from there.
Incidentally, you can hear mum singing on a couple of MP3 files: The Violet and New Tomorrows. Hopefully in time I, too, will be able to bring myself to listen again to her singing.

All Reviews

There are 4 reviews for this score

He's done it again !
I have long been a fan of Philip - apart from sharing the the same Christian name,initials, West County origins,teaching and a talent for playing the piano, the similarity stops there !. Such a talent for wonderfully inventive, fresh ,sparkling and attractive music- I am drumming my fingers on the desk playing this piece long before the end. As soon as I've printed it I'm locking myself away for the next 2 hours to record the 2 parts on my Technics piano. Your compositions are such a tonic, and they always revitalise my piano/organ playing. Your music should be on the Associated Board lists -you are truly inspirational !

PHILIP BALDWIN

Does it get any better?
I think the answer is no! Im completely amazed at Philips talent. The way the themes are variated is injeaniously done and a brilliant piece has been created. I only hope one day my works will be half as good as this. Keep up the excellent work. All the best Mike

Michael Edwards

A Rollicking Romp
Simply fantastic, Phillip. I enjoy all your work, and this is no surprise other than good. I LOVED the way you manipulated the theme, and the variations were brilliant. I loved the bach like fugue, the flamenco, heck I loved all of them. Brilliant work phillip. The comments were amusing too :) Luke

Luke Nickel

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