Articles and Interviews with Deborah Keily Hanson
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Program Notes

Deborah Keily Hanson’s debut album, Pianoscapes blends the vibrancy and color of the impressionist artists with the beauty and clear melodic lines of the romantic composers.
Do you always compose with a person in mind? Yes, I try to capture the musical personality of my friends who are pianists. A "musical portrait”.
"Palawan" is an island in the Philippines. It is dedicated to my friend, Filipino pianist Tessie Chua Chiaco Goodman in honor of her birthday. There are many birds on the island, so I used bird calls in the music, and one sounds like "Hello, are you there?"
"Angel Rhapsody" is a dance with an angel. This piece is dedicated to my daughter, Aubrye Michelle Hanson who is my angel. Many others have connected with this piece for their special angels, so it is named Angel Rhapsody for all of our angels.
"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. The lyrics to this piece sound like, "Mario Augusto Roque, happy birthday to you! A beautiful, bright shining sun when the morning is new."
"Tango de Eduardo" came about after attending a concert of Argentine pianist Eduardo Delgado. Delgado's beautiful tone and lyricism in his playing inspired the "Tango de Eduardo", in which I used the letters of his name, E,D,A,Do for the motif, and the phrase, "Tango Eduardo Delgado". This piece is sultry and sexy, and portrays a couple dancing in a warm, summer evening in Argentina.
What inspired you to begin composing?
My first piece, "Starry Night" was composed for my friend and teacher, Vitaly Margulis. I used the numbers of his birthday for the motif. The entire piece is structured around the intervals and chords created by the numbers, 4-16-1928. Margulis was amused and pleased with my foray into composing, which encouraged me to continue writing.
My second piece, "Nijo Gardens" is for the pianist Kanae Matsumoto. Nijo Castle and Gardens is located outside of Kyoto, Japan. It is a beautiful, artistically designed park open to the public, and many schoolchildren visit there. Nijo Gardens has many pools of water, topiary and stone bridges, plus a castle. Nijo Gardens was awarded first place in the California MTAC Composer's Today Contest, 2011.
My father, John P. Keily is an artist. I am so lucky to have his paintings in my home. Each one of my pieces also has a famous painting to go along with the music. Starry Night, Van Gogh. Nijo Gardens, a bridge by Monet. Tango de Eduardo, "The Boating Party" by Renoir. Marito, a Matisse. Angel Rhapsody, an original pastel titled "Hummingbird's Wing" by my daughter, Aubrye. Palawan is a Picasso.
I hope you enjoy my music, that it takes you places, and gives rest after long days.
Do you always compose with a person in mind? Yes, I try to capture the musical personality of my friends who are pianists. A "musical portrait”.
"Palawan" is an island in the Philippines. It is dedicated to my friend, Filipino pianist Tessie Chua Chiaco Goodman in honor of her birthday. There are many birds on the island, so I used bird calls in the music, and one sounds like "Hello, are you there?"
"Angel Rhapsody" is a dance with an angel. This piece is dedicated to my daughter, Aubrye Michelle Hanson who is my angel. Many others have connected with this piece for their special angels, so it is named Angel Rhapsody for all of our angels.
"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. The lyrics to this piece sound like, "Mario Augusto Roque, happy birthday to you! A beautiful, bright shining sun when the morning is new."
"Tango de Eduardo" came about after attending a concert of Argentine pianist Eduardo Delgado. Delgado's beautiful tone and lyricism in his playing inspired the "Tango de Eduardo", in which I used the letters of his name, E,D,A,Do for the motif, and the phrase, "Tango Eduardo Delgado". This piece is sultry and sexy, and portrays a couple dancing in a warm, summer evening in Argentina.
What inspired you to begin composing?
My first piece, "Starry Night" was composed for my friend and teacher, Vitaly Margulis. I used the numbers of his birthday for the motif. The entire piece is structured around the intervals and chords created by the numbers, 4-16-1928. Margulis was amused and pleased with my foray into composing, which encouraged me to continue writing.
My second piece, "Nijo Gardens" is for the pianist Kanae Matsumoto. Nijo Castle and Gardens is located outside of Kyoto, Japan. It is a beautiful, artistically designed park open to the public, and many schoolchildren visit there. Nijo Gardens has many pools of water, topiary and stone bridges, plus a castle. Nijo Gardens was awarded first place in the California MTAC Composer's Today Contest, 2011.
My father, John P. Keily is an artist. I am so lucky to have his paintings in my home. Each one of my pieces also has a famous painting to go along with the music. Starry Night, Van Gogh. Nijo Gardens, a bridge by Monet. Tango de Eduardo, "The Boating Party" by Renoir. Marito, a Matisse. Angel Rhapsody, an original pastel titled "Hummingbird's Wing" by my daughter, Aubrye. Palawan is a Picasso.
I hope you enjoy my music, that it takes you places, and gives rest after long days.