Fine Tuning

Released: 9 January 2006

This CD is a compilation of twenty piano pieces that I composed between 1972 (when I had a full head of hair but little insight into the human condition) and 2006 (when I had little of either). The various pieces that I have included represent many different periods of my life and serve for me as sweet reminders of people and places that remain very dear to me.

Paul Fine · Fine Tuning

CD Artwork

Liner Notes

A Dance with Karen: This piece was written in 2002 for my beautiful wife in honor of the many evenings we have spent together dancing at the grand Hotel Ballroom on Mackinac Island.
Anticipating Derek: I composed this piece in 1991 on the day that I learned that I was going to be a father for the first time. It is, of course, dedicated to my wonderful son, Derek.
Beholding Eleanor: This composition was a gift to my fabulous daughter, Ellie, a week or so after her birth in 1994.
Singing to Benjamin: I wrote the first part of this piece for my wonderful son, Ben, shortly after he was born in 1996. The second section (starting at 1:56) began as a little song that seemed magically to calm him when he was upset and was added a few months later.
Kaleidoscope Colors: This piece was composed at the home of John and Jennifer Nastelin to celebrate the birth of Caleb Ernst in 1999.
Churchyard Snowfall: In 1986, during my second year of medical school, I found a classroom with an upright piano and composed this piece little by little before the start of morning classes.
Melpomene: I composed this piece to honor my dear niece, Julia. Melopmene was a nickname my erudite father gave a young Julia many years ago.
Beholding Eleanor: This composition was gift to my fabulous daughter, Ellie, a week or so after her birth in early 1994.
Singing to Benjamin: I wrote the first part of this piece for my wonderful son, Ben, shortly after he was born. The second section (starting at 1:56) began as a little song that seemed magically to calm him when he was upset.

Post-Lubrication Axle Mechanics: This ragtime composition was written for the Sylvania Northview variety show, “The Cat’s Meow,” in 1981. Fortunately, the performance successfully diverted attention away from my complete lack of acting talent.
Dreams of Children: The first part of this piece was composed when I was 10. The variations were completed in 2006 at the suggestion of Noriko Ernst.
Lillies and Ivy: This piece was composed in 1994 for the wedding of Abby and Duane Craddock.
Strings: This piece from 1984 was inspired by a novel of the same name by Liz Maxwell. The book’s protagonist is a violinist who battles depression.
Asa’s Waltz: This composition was written in 2004 to commemorate the birth of my nephew, Asa Yoshioka.
Welcoming Claire: This was a birthday gift to newborn Claire Hertzfeld in 2005.
Haydn Seek: This diminutive piece in classical style was composed in 1983.
Now We Are Four: This was composed to celebrate the addition of Elijah to the Craddock family in 2006.
Tammi’s Wedding Waltz: This piece was composed in 1988 for the wedding of Tammi and Bill Weiss in Sylvania, Ohio.
Chasing Butterflies: This composition was a gift to celebrate the birth of Erin Furney in 1999.
Rabbit Ragtime: This piece was composed in 1980, but I wasn’t creative enough to come up with a title until 2005. It is dedicated to our two bunnies, Hershey and Skittles.

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