Behind Clouds, Blue Sky

The sky is always blue. Of course, clouds come, and sometimes cover our vision so completely that we forget the constant, clear expanse that lies behind them. However, the beautiful blue is always there – we just have to remember it exists, and wait for the clouds to pass.

I wrote this piece to symbolise this idea. The constancy of the blue is represented by the first phrase, ending on an F#. The first time the first phrase is played, I harmonise the F# in the melody with a B minor chord; the second time, with an F#m chord; and the final time, with D chord. The idea is very simple: the note F# remains constant; no matter what surrounds it, rings out; and it has an ultimately cheerful resolution. I wrote this for Máiréad y Esteban, who married on 7/6/2017.