Earlier this week — Wednesday — I received the news that esteemed colleague and friend Pearl Lang had died. A woman of remarkable and clear musical vision, working with her was never dull, often exciting, educational, and always stimulating.

Today, Friday, I worked alongside equally esteemed colleague and friend Christine Dakin at the Playhouse, a venue where Pearl herself some years earlier had regularly rehearsed and taught. Naturally, albeit briefly, we talked of Pearl, the meaning of her life and work for us, and our sense of loss.

At a certain moment Christine introduced a short movement study, unlike anything that had preceded it in today’s work, and I felt a certain mood evolve within. As I played the mood deepened and widened and a quiet presence lingered in the room. Afterwards, as someone said aloud, it was clear, that was ‘our moment’, our moment of goodbye to Pearl.

As regular readers know, I’ve been bringing my mobile recording rig with me to the Playhouse, on a regular basis. The recording is now uploaded, unordained and with very little enhancement. Performed solo on Piano, Korg Poly 800 II and Roland Handsonic, Neighborhood Playhouse (in Studio 4), NYC , February 28th 2009.