COMPOSER’S NOTES
The five pieces comprising Homework Suite were written while I was studying at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 1961 and 1962. They weren’t actually homework assignments, but more in the nature of voluntary extra work. I wasn’t aware of the echoes of Chopin in “Ghost Waltz” and “Night Horses” until a few years later. In truth, they don’t bother me.
My teacher at the Conservatory was the renowned Sol Joseph. I was lucky. These compositions, and everything I have written since, bear something of his mark. Yes, and Chopin’s too, for although Mr. Joseph was of the twelve-tone persuasion, he taught us the old masters with instinct and conviction. I would like to be able to report what grade he gave these efforts, but it wasn’t his practice to grade them.