(photograph – Ruthie’s graduation photograph)
(photo of Ruth when this Psalm Offering was composed for her.)
NOTES: Psalm Offering 6 was composed in 1970 as an assignment for Music Theory 1 in college. The assignment was to compose music in the form of an Etude, etudes being basically a music exercise for the hands. Some of the more famous Etudes were written by Frederick Chopin, most people having heard the #12 Etude, also known as the “Revolutionary” Etude. What I handed in was the first 20 measures. I remember I knew the intention of my Etude was arpeggio exercises for the right hand. I worked out the chord progression (harmonic rhythm for the musically astute) but could not think of a melody to go along with the arpeggios in the right hand. I went to bed and in the middle of the night, the melody came to me in a dream. I awakened and quickly wrote down the melody I heard in the dream. After it was graded I knew that I wanted to compose it as a present for Ruth. From the time I was a Junior in high school, I was in love with this beautiful girl, Ruth Ahmann. Ruthie and I dated steadily since May of 1969. I had my whole life planned, and the biggest part of that plan was to marry Ruth. I took my Etude assignment and expanded the original 20 measures and gave it to Ruth. As you know, the biggest part of plan was realized and Ruthie and I were married in 1974. I revisited this Psalm Offering in 1985, altering the middle section slightly. When Ruthie heard this Psalm Offering today, she thought it was brand new. I guess a few years have gone by since she last heard it in 1970. One thing has not changed over the years. My life still revolves around that beautiful brunette haired girl with the most magnificent smile.
THE MUSIC: This Psalm Offering is in simple 4 part,AABA, form. Melody A is introduced in the left hand, while the right hand accompanies the melody with ascending and descending arpeggios and then restated. The melody segues into melody B, with arpeggios in the left hand and melody in the right. It segues back into melody A for the grand finale.
