(Written and performed by Reynold D. Philipsek 2011 copyright Zino-Rephi Music BMI)
One of my grandmothers was born in Poland (Mechnica, Krapkowice, Opole Voivodeship, Poland). She lived to be 92 and came to the U.S. at the age of 12. (By the way, my mother also lived until the age of 92.)
This piece is simple like a folk song but with a few small harmonic twists. Prokofiev’s “Tales of an Old Grandmother” sort of inspired this piece in a very indirect way. It is probably the shortest piece of music I ever wrote.
A babushka is a term for a head scarf and also a Slavic term for grandmother.
Incidentally, my grandmother nearly always wore a “babushka.” Ergo, my “babushka” wore a “babushka.”
On another note, I just heard about the passing of songwriter Burt Bacharach. He was a great songwriter.
Be kind.
Love,
Reyn