1. Era uma vez…
2. Red Letter Day
3. A Memory

Slowly, a forgotten melody from John Estacio’s mental sketchbook begins to coalesce as Variations on a Memory takes shape. This “memory tune” becomes the unifying element of a three-movement work, unusual in that an exuberant middle movement is framed by two that
are more subdued and introspective.

What better way to begin to tell these stories of the past than by the phrase “Once Upon a Time”, or “Era uma vez…”, as the first movement is here titled in Portuguese? Memories of a southwestern Ontario childhood, bathed in the orange light of an oil stove and warmed by its heat and the loving protection of his parents, are explored in this evocative first movement. A favourite of the fairytales told by Estacio’s mother in this cozy environment featured cockroaches, but we are assured that none have crept into this work.

Red Letter Day, the second of Estacio’s memories, has all of the fireworks and celebration of a memorable festive holiday in Vancouver, relying heavily on the winds and brass. Not until the third movement, A Memory, do we hear the theme in its entirety, presented first by the solo flute. The mood is that of the melancholy the author was experiencing during a period of retrospection in his life.

Variations on a Memory has been recorded by Geoffrey Moull and the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra.

Variations on a Memory

January 22, 1995
EDMONTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Conductor: Uri Mayer
Maclab Theatre, The Citadel Theatre
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada

For more information on score and parts rental for Variations on a Memory, contact the Canadian Music Centre.