All The Words To All The Songs

Description

Flute, Piano — This little piece for flute and piano was commissioned by flutist Nancy Andrew, in memory of Vinson Hammond. Vinson, a pianist with a stellar career as an accompanist died in 1992 of complications from the AIDS virus.xa0 He was an avid believer in contemporary music, primitive Southern churches, an Elvis – and did a mean impersonation of the latter, if one can imagine The King singing at a piano.The title refers to a remark Vinson made on the NBC-TV “Today” show, as he was appearing with flutist James Galway.xa0 Gene Shalit, host of the segment, asked Vinson if he knew the words to the John Denver song they were about to play, and Vinson looked straight into the camera lens and (in his best Alabama drawl) declared “I know all the words to all the songs.”My work is both a reflection on the untimely loss of a young talent, and an homage to popular songs.xa0 Knowing, “all the words to all the songs” might help a listener somewhat, but it’s best to hear the piece as a spiritual benediction.xa0 My hope is that Vinson Hammond has, by now, met his idol in Heaven – an hopefully, has accompanied him in a few of the good old songs.