About the Music / Art Gallery
The Paintings of John P. Keily
My father, John P. Keily is an artist.
I am so lucky to have his paintings in my home. My father paints, and I compose music for his paintings, like a "painting in sound". Each one of my pieces has a painting to go along with it as inspiration. My father's paintings are interpretations of the great masters.
My children are also artists.
Angel Rhapsody is an original pastel titled "Hummingbird's Wing" by my daughter, Aubrye.
I am so lucky to have his paintings in my home. My father paints, and I compose music for his paintings, like a "painting in sound". Each one of my pieces has a painting to go along with it as inspiration. My father's paintings are interpretations of the great masters.
My children are also artists.
Angel Rhapsody is an original pastel titled "Hummingbird's Wing" by my daughter, Aubrye.
Palawan
Dedicated to Tessie Chua Chiaco Goodman
Palawan is an island in the Phillippines. It is a wild and beautiful jungle island where many birds sing. Akalat de Palawan, also known as the melodious babbler, has a beautiful singing voice. It’s song sounds like it is singing, “hello, are you there?”. Palawan was composed using the song of the melodious babbler for the motif, taking the listener on an adventure to a faraway place, mystical and magical, filled with the sounds of birds calling to each other in the jungle.
John P. Keily' s painting, "interpretation of a Picasso"
Nijo Gardens
Dedicated to Kanae Matsumoto
Inspired by the beautiful Nijo Gardens in Kyoto, Japan, the piece begins in a descending line as if following a path into the garden. A gentle breeze carries the fragrance of cherry blossoms over the tranquil landscape. Ascending a grassy hill behind a topiary pine, children’s feet echo across a stony bridge to Turtle Island.
The theme expands ripple by ripple, as sounds of water joyfully dance among the rocks. Suddenly, raindrops scamper playfully across the pond’s surface, revealing a reflection of the enchanted scene. A brief cloud burst, the skies clear, and Nijo Castle appears through the mist.
Interpretation of a Monet by John P. Keily
Starry Night
Dedicated to Vitaly Margulis
My first piece, "Starry Night" was composed for my friend and beloved teacher, Vitaly Margulis.
I wanted to surprise him for his birthday in 2011.
The entire piece is structured around the intervals and chords created by the numbers, 4-16-1928, the date of his birthday. Margulis was amused and pleased with my foray into composing, which encouraged me to continue writing.
Interpretation of Van Gogh's "Starry Night" by John P. Keily
Angel Rhapsody
Dedicated to Aubrye Michelle Hanson
Angel Rhapsody is a dreamlike waltz. A little girl has a dream that she could dance with her grandfather just one more time, but now he is an angel. She dreamt that the angel came to dance for one night, and then she must set him free.
The melody begins in the soprano line, then is answered by another voice. The two voices have a conversation as they continue their dance. The piece ends when the little girl sets the angel free, and it returns to Heaven with the final, unexpected surprise G Major chord.
Hummingbird's Wing
Original pastel by Aubrye Michelle Hanson
Original pastel by Aubrye Michelle Hanson
Tango de Eduardo
Dedicated to Eduardo Delgado
Tango was composed for my friend, the pianist Eduardo Delgado. I used the letters of his name for the motif, E D A D, for EDuArDo. You can also hear the theme, "Tango Eduardo Delgado" in the repeated triplets in the middle section.
Tango is set in a sultry and steamy night in Buenos Aires, dining at a cafe, dancing under the stars. The piano imitates various instruments, beginning with a cello. It is joined by a violin, then an accordion. Later, a bass and a guitar serenade along with the piano. The ending sequences are in reverse order from the beginning, as the dancers gradually become weary and rest, to enjoy the evening under the stars.
Interpretation of a Van Gogh by John P. Keily
Marito!
Dedicated to Mario Roque
"Marito" was composed as a birthday gift for my friend, Argentine pianist Mario Roque. Mario works and plays to raise money for St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Marito means “little Mario” in Spanish. I composed this piece for Mario's birthday in 2011. I wrote a "musical birthday card" for him, first writing a poem, then a melody for the words. The result was "Marito!" Poem/ Lyrics: "Mario Augusto Roque, Happy Birthday to You, a beautiful, bright, shining sun when the morning is new! Mario Augusto Roque, a pianist's delight, I wish you the happiest birthday, from morning to night."
Marito has many interesting rhythmic patterns combining the rhythms of Latin and Jazz. The middle section is beautiful and lyrical, with lots of expression and rubato, like the beautiful, lyrical performing style of Mario.
Interpretation of a Matisse by John P. Keily
Sunrise at Yushan
Dedicated to Jeremy Lee
Yushan means Jade in Mandarin. Yushan Mountain (Jade Mountain) is the most beautiful mountain in Taiwan, and may become one of the new natural wonders of the world. When the sun rises over the mountain, it is an awesome experience! The sun makes the snow glisten in many colors like Chinese jade. I wrote this piece as a new beginning, from China to America. The chance to play piano in America was a great gift for my friend, Jeremy Lee. He could not play much in China, because he did not have a piano in his apartment. When he wanted to practice, he had to pay the lady across the hall to use her piano. His only opportunity to practice the piano was when she let him.
The many colors and shades of sound in Sunrise at Yushan provide images of visual sound, like a sunrise made on a piano. For my friend, every day is a new sunrise, a new beginning with a dream to be fulfilled, like the many colors on Yushan.
Interpretation of a Renoir by John P. Keily
Autumn in Connecticut
Dedicated to Carlen Gaines
Autumn in Connecticut was composed for my cousin, Carlen Gaines, who lives in Connecticut. I wrote this piece during the fall, looking out my window watching the leaves brilliantly dressing up the trees in various shades of color, then flying away in waves and swirling around in the air all the way down the street . For Autumn, I tried to imitate the calm, serenity of fall, intertwined with the capricious antics of the swirling leaves, and that lovely, warm feeling of gratitude as Thanksgiving approaches, counting my blessings and giving thanks for my family and friends.
Interpretation of a Van Gogh by John P. Keily
Veraneo
Dedicated to Konstantin Sirounian
Veraneo means "summering" or "vacationing" in Spanish. My composition teacher, Konstantin Sirounian, suggested I write a Latin piece for my first assignment with him. I used a 3 note motif that plays forward and in reverse, alternating between Major and minor in rapid succession, giving a mood of both light and dark, like the sun on a hot day, rippling in a heat wave, cooling off in the shade, happy times on vacation at the beach, and hot summer nights all in one piece. It is a summer fantasy story in music.
"Veraneo"
Original Oil Painting by John P. Keily
Original Oil Painting by John P. Keily
Spinnaker Bay
Dedicated to Jeff Hanson
My husband Jeff grew up in Florida, where he spent many days sailing and adventuring on the water. Spinnaker Bay was composed as an intermediate level piano piece for him to play, that would remind him of those golden summer days of his childhood.
Interpretation of a Monet by John P. Keily
La Petite Rose
Original Drawing by John P. Keily Jr.
Dedicated to Belva Thibodeau Hannon
Words by Mary A. Hannon
Music by Deborah Keily Hanson
A newborn rose, all robed in pink,
With petals stretched toward morning sun,
Catches me in its embrace,
And holds me there before I run.
I stop to stare, and bend to touch,
Its tender petals, not too much.
It captures me, in place and time.
A perfect moment, and all mine.
I wonder how it came to be,
This perfect rose.
God's little work of mastery.
Words by Mary A. Hannon
Music by Deborah Keily Hanson
A newborn rose, all robed in pink,
With petals stretched toward morning sun,
Catches me in its embrace,
And holds me there before I run.
I stop to stare, and bend to touch,
Its tender petals, not too much.
It captures me, in place and time.
A perfect moment, and all mine.
I wonder how it came to be,
This perfect rose.
God's little work of mastery.
Tango de Eduardo por dos pianos
Dedicated to Dilara Khalilova and Tamara Krigman
The Two Piano version of the Tango de Eduardo was composed for my friends, duo pianists Dilara Khalilova and Tamara Krigman. Continuing the motif of EDAD using the letters of Eduardo, the 2 piano version repeats this motif in both voices throughout the piece. The piano imitates various instruments, beginning with a cello. It is joined by a violin, then an accordion. Later, a bass and a guitar serenade along with the piano.
Tango is set in a sultry and steamy night in Buenos Aires, dining at a cafe, dancing under the stars. The two pianos symbolize the two dancers, playing their own parts, but intertwined in the dance. The ending sequences are in reverse order from the beginning, as the dancers gradually become weary and rest, to enjoy the evening under the stars.
John P. Keily's Interpretation of "The Boating Party" by Renoir