Tuesday, December 15, 2015

MIDNIGHT ON THE CLIFFS









Here's my latest video Midnight on the Cliffs, inspired by a composition written by pianist Leonard Pennario (1924-2008). This has a special personal meaning to me, for more reasons than I could reveal here.
(video best viewed full-screen)

Pennario was born in New York but lived in Southern California his entire life. He wrote Midnight on the Cliffs when he was eighteen and gave the first live performance of it in 1942. The composition was initially titled Midnight on the Newport Cliffs - inspired by the cliffs at Newport Beach. He later changed the title to Minuit sur la falaise de Newport.

When Doris Day heard the music, she liked it so much that she requested for it to be used in her 1956 film Julie.

It has been widely believed that Pennario never actually wrote down a music score for Midnight on the Cliffs, but this isn't quite true. He wrote a simple piano version, which was published by Ardmore Music Corp. in 1954. He never wrote a musical score for the elaborate piano version that he performed in public - and he supposedly never played it exactly the same way twice.

My video is dedicated to someone now deceased who was extremely close to me. This person also happened to be a friend of Leonard Pennario.



to W.G.H.

Those were luxurious nights that we shared, long ago in the golden zenith of our youth and the spectacular setting of Los Angeles. The gentle winter nights washed clean by Santa Ana winds, the indigo sky immersed in an infinite sparkle of stars.

Candlelight, wine, and the piano. You would play your latest compositions and arrangements, and then I would play mine. We discussed every aspect of music and the keyboard....and planned to give future concerts together, works for two pianos.

Later we'd sit by the fireplace and listen to records, all of our favorite piano music. Midnight on the Cliffs was a particular favorite. Leonard Pennario was a friend of your family and you had known him since childhood. You would tell me stories, like the one about going to the racetrack with him at Hollywood Park.

And we both knew the secret, wild, intoxicating beauty of the cliffs at Newport Beach - - and we explored the same places that had inspired Pennario long before our time.
After all, love in Southern California is ageless....and endless....

Tonight, in the tepid mountains of Tennessee, so far from the pinnacle of our long-ago existence..... I listen to wind sifting through treetops and I think of you....and remember those pristine, perfect nights......and I think of what could have been....if you hadn't succumbed so prematurely to the arms of eternal sleep.

Jon




Probably shouldn't have posted this, but what the hell......
In case anyone cares, the video can be found on my YouTube channel  Jayveesonata



15 comments:

  1. a heartfelt tribute to someone you cared for, jon.

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    1. It could have been a perfect relationship - and it was, while it lasted.
      Life is a bitch.

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  2. What a memory of what could have been !

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    1. I have some really incredible memories, Paula.

      I hope your back is better!

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  3. Quite breathtaking, Jon - and (dare I suggest?), referring to all those sweeping, harp-like arpeggios, with 'film score' written all over it? Must need a devil-like Superman to play it - some Paganini of the keyboard.
    But we are hearing it from the outside whereas your own personal connections make it something much more visceral, your own personal response being totally individual and something we couldn't hope, or even try, to emulate.

    The film 'Julie' must be one of those many that have got away. I'd never heard of it, but judging from the brief review in my Halliwells, it maybe deserved to sink without trace - like the featured aeroplane ought to have done - or maybe did, for all I know.

    Thanks so much for the vid - and the trouble you took to put it up here.

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    1. You're right on target with the film score notion. Pennario was strongly immersed in atmospheric Hollywood - and I feel that he was strongly influenced by film score composers such as Miklos Rozsa (in my opinion, one of the best).

      I'm positive that "Julie" was Doris Day's least memorable film. I've never seen it, but from the reviews I've read it was mediocre at best. It's a shame that such beautiful music was wasted on this particular film.

      I'm greatful for my many unique and wonderful memories, and for my California connection. "Midnight on the Cliffs" is indeed deeply personal. My relationship with Greg (William Gregory) was my longest and most serious relationship. He was a brilliant musician and we had much in common. Unfortunately both our personal lives were tainted with tragedy and chaos, which often kept us apart and eventually killed him.

      I could write a book, Ray......

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    2. That's a little (more) view into your soul, Jon. Thanks for putting it out here.

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  4. Such ultra romantic music, perfect for the words and mysterious images....

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    1. This is indeed ultra-romantic music - and so very reminiscent of old romantic Hollywood. It was difficult to find suitable pictures for the video, but I managed to come up with a reasonable representation of Pennario's music.

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  5. Beautiful and sad post. I'm so sorry for your loss Jon. ((Hugs))

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    1. Thanks, Amanda. It was all long ago, but I often like to pine for the past.

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  6. I wasn't familiar with this piece Jon so thank you for introducing me to it. It is indeed romantic and lush. Quite lovely. Your personal message was poignant too. It's clear that you cared a great deal for this person. Chin up.

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    1. I think this piece always had more of a Southern California appeal than an international one. It's strongly representative of old Hollywood romance. Greg was indeed the love of my life.

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  7. "Midnight on the Cliffs" is most eloquent, Jon, including the candle extinguished at its close. It took some strength to produce this post, and dedication to beauty. I admire you for that. You're remarkable.

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  8. I really appreciate that, Geo, many thanks. I couldn't get the candle exactly the way I wanted it at the end, but it turned out reasonably well.

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I love comments. Go ahead and leave one - I won't bite. But make sure you have a rabies shot just in case.