Notes by Noel Benkman

Siegfried Benkman, the composer of Yosemite Suite (Impressions of Yosemite Valley), was my great-uncle. His music is unabashedly romantic with touches of impressionism and is imbued with the harmonic language of popular American music from the early part of this century.

Arabesque written for me when I was about thirteen. In true arabesque fashion, the melody is ornamented and embellished numerous times leading to a dazzling climax reminiscent of Ravel's Jeux d'Eau.

Yosemite Valley is a spectacular glacier-carved geologic wonder of the world. Waterfalls cascade thousands of feet down vertical granite walls to a forest and meadow covered valley floor inhabited by, among other mammals, bears, deer, coyotes, and mountain lions. The Miwok Indians discovered it first, John Muir discovered it over a century ago, and Siegfried discovered it in 1934.

Yosemite Suite opens with Entrance into the Valley. Powerful octaves usher in a thoughtful, spacious music followed by a pastoral section with bird calls which then builds in excitement to a repeat of the opening. Mirror Lake is quiet and serene with a boldly passionate middle section. Bridalveil Falls is a lyric expression and dazzling display of cascading falls and sinuous streams

Firefall refers to a nightly summer event in Yosemite Valley that ended in the 1960's. I remember camping in Yosemite Valley in the 1950's as a small child. Each evening hundreds of campers would migrate into the meadows and gaze up at Glacier Point. At the top of Glacier Point was a bon fire. When it became dark the Park Rangers would begin shoveling glowing coals over the 3500 foot precipice. Thus would begin a spectacular 15 minute firefall. Firefall begins restlessly before letting loose with a chromatic, dissonant, virtuosic passage descending the keyboard. Passionate chords emerge and then vanish like an apparition. Cathedral Spires is a Debussy-like piece which uses rolled chords to paint an alpine landscape of jagged spires. Half Dome at Sunset begins with ominous bass chords and a slowly rising melody that suggest the emergence of Half Dome. And at the end these chords repeat and fade, suggesting Half Dome's dissolution after sunset. In the middle is a section full of lush harmonies reminiscent of American popular music from the 30's and 40's. Yosemite Falls is a tour de force of relentless, cascading, spiraling arpeggios. Legend of the Indian Caves - Lament is a poignant tribute to the first human inhabitants of Yosemite. El Capitan closes the suite by beginning with the same four chords that opened Yosemite Suite, and then proceeds to build an eponymous edifice of sound.

Prelude was written for Siegfried's close friend, the clarinetist George Kaye. It is a fun piece, exciting, a little nostalgic, exuding the warmth of friendship. Valse in e minor is an exuberant elfin waltz. Valse Scherzo, with its lilting melody and harmony, might just carry you away...