NEW PHIL

PROGRAM NOTES

Ramblings

an FTD “Frontotemporal Degeneration” Journey

for Orchestra

in 4 movements

in memory of Karen Zander, RN,BSN,MSN,PHD,CMAC,FAAN

Dedicated to Katie Brandt, & Brad Dickerson who continue to help those who suffer and also to search for a cure

and to all those who have made and those who continue to make “the journey”. Also dedicated to Jonathan Bass who recorded the original piano version and whose support gave me the inspiration to continue to compose and to my theory teacher David Stevens whose original guidance led me to write the piano piece and also helped me with the final score production. Others who helped make production of the score and parts: Cynthia Clark, Russel Allyn, Scott Woolweaver, Kiya Klopfenstein

I – Discovery – Andante (kind of)

II – Descent into Loss and Uncertainty – con fuoco – mostly just confusion

III – Ogni vita ha bisgono di un piccolo scherzo (every life needs a little joke) – Scherzo

IV – Disappearance into Death – Andante, Grave, Con fuoco – just plain bad stuff

This piece in four movements attempts to show the emotions associated with the FTD journey. For most of us it starts out with a vague awareness that something is just not right. It may be as innocuous as repeatedly listening the same song, or as in my wife’s case playing up to 50 Words with Friends games. The search may start to discover what is wrong. On average this can take 2-3 years as FTD is frequently misdiagnosed as mental health issues Many medical professionals have little awareness of this disease and may be confused by the fact that dementia in a 30 year old is not a normal consideration. This first movement portrays this part of the journey, ending in the diagnosis, which is a death sentence. Karen’s theme is first introduced in the opening bars of the piece. The 2nd theme, Augmented 6 chords, introduced by the violas, represents the disease.

The second movement portrays the middle part of the journey as the FTD sufferer continues to decline. This period can be particularly difficult for the partner/caregiver as their loved one engages in strange or illogical behaviors. Things can go from crazy to normal.

I put the third, scherzo, movement in as an afterthought. This journey would be impossible without some humor… so here it is. However, even here, the unresolved German Aug 6 chord and Karen’s theme show up. In the midst of joy, there is still sadness.

The final, somewhat calmer movement speaks to the final stages of the disease. The patient becomes non-verbal, may lose the ability to walk or eat without help. Finally, at the end, as the brain continues to disintegrate, it loses its ability to run the body and death takes over. I have added the theme which represents the patient, after the death knell, to signify that love conquers all and that in the end, it is the spirit of the person that remains and the memory of the disease fades.

You will experience many long silences which may make you uncomfortable or anxious. That was done on purpose.

Words that describe this piece: Anger, Confusion, Frustration, and Sadness

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