Oh, for corn's sake, Ethel! - (2020)   


for James Walker

 

A set of messages sent back and forth between Walker and I over a theme he'd written involved some frustration as the file in question did not come"through" as planned. James commented with this amusing phrase, new to me. For fans of the "I Love Lucy" television series, the character of Fred Mertz would say this, among other things, in exasperation to his wife, Ethel. The phrase itself amused me, for language can be its own plaything, of course, and so I penned a little bit of musical "fluff" with Walker's theme as the bridge material. after "singing" in my imagination "Oh, for corn's sake, Ethel!" Such is the nature of inspiration, I suppose. And I am apparently easily amused. In this, I am not alone. Thankfully.

 

 

 

2 pages, circa 1' 45" - an MP3 demo is here: 

 

The score is available as a free PDF download, though any major commercial performance or recording of the work is prohibited without prior arrangement with the composer. Click on the graphic below for this piano score.

 

Oh, for corn's sake, Ethel!