G.Henle publishers will show part of the Debussy Film in their booth at the Frankfurt Musik Messe March 21-24, I am very pleased they are interested in the film!

I will also present the Debussy film and a lecture with noted Debussy scholar Paul Roberts during the Brown Symposium at Southwestern University in Georgetown TX June 1st.

The CD program will be:

Préludes Book I

Le vent dans la plaine

“Les sons et les parfums tournent dans l’air du soir”

Des pas sur la neige

La fille aux cheveux de lin

La Cathédrale engloutie

Préludes Book II

Brouillards

“Les fées sont d’exquises danseuses

“Général Lavine”—eccentric

La terrasse des audiences du clair de lune

Ondine

Hommage à S. Pickwick Esg. P.P.M.P.C

Canope

Feux d’artifice

Other Pieces:

Clair de Lune

Reflet dans l’eau

Pagodes

Les Soirs illuminés par l’ardeur du charbon

My performances in Switzerland went very well. The second half of the program was Debussy with selected videos as I have previously performed in The Netherlands and at Texas A&M International University. I posted Pagodes from the performance, and Brouilliards and The Fairies are Exquisite Dancers from rehearsal.

The next day I was supposed to fly to Tokyo.

I am so sad I could not go but much sadder for the people of Japan. In the meantime I uploaded the introduction for my Manfred Bleffert on Debussy film:

I am inspired to narrate the new Debussy Film this week. I am finally ready to be in front of the camera!

I am curious to have impressions.

This film will keep the present form and include many of the original interviews. I will offer it on DVD this fall.

Once this stage is complete, I plan to create a second film which will closely follow my narrative. It may not include interviews but will explore the visual influences on Debussy in a different way.

I welcome ideas and feedback.

Tony

I just redesigned my personal website.

The main Debussy Piano website is here.

I will do a Debussy program Saturday October 30th at Texas A&M International University in Laredo TX. I will play all-Debussy, some with video, and will show the Debussy Film. I am very excited about this.

After much consideration and hand-wrenching I have decided to edit the original cut of the film, “The World Will Change in His Sound”.

At some point I will make other versions, but I think it is best to clarify and develop my initial vision of the film, to show through music, images, and some interviews and narration, the experience of Debussy and some of his influences.

A recent donation from a supporter will enable a September 2010 trip to Paris for more shooting and possibly another interview in Heilegenberg. I need more scenes of Paris to really fulfill my vision so I am VERY thankful this person has stepped forward.

I have 2 parts of the original film online, seen below. I will include only the most relevant and technically sound interviews in the next cut of the film.

Part I

Part II

It has been a difficult time.
But I am moving forward and will complete the Debussy and Tokyo films.

I never met my father.
Easter Day 2008 a woman contacted me about him, and I decided to try to find him. We spoke for the first time the day I learned the friend in this video was killed in a car accident.
Tony Hilfer

After this I had a few phone calls and some letters and gifts from my father. July 2008 I drove to the remote area in the Catskills to meet him, but I could not find him.
We were never in the same room, face to face. We never touched or saw each other’s expression.
I had not heard from him in about 3 months and we had not spoken in about 6.

I never learned much about him and had many questions.
I still do. I learned yesterday he died sometime in the last 2 weeks.
1/12/10
He lived in a very remote area, in a 12 by 5 foot trailer with no electricity, a battery powered radio, and a propane heater. He was last seen Dec 22, and had probably been dead since around Christmas. I am waiting for the coroner’s report, a few of my father’s things, and his ashes.
I am used to the idea, though sad, and full of questions. He obviously chose to be alone. He was free, and lived out the consequences of his actions.
1/20/10 a box with some of his belongings arrived. The smell was horrible.
I have salvaged a few documents and a xylophone. It is strange to see the remnants of a life.
1/25/10 His ashes and a letter from Veterans Affairs offering burial stones and services arrived today. I am relieved to have them and hope to spread some of them in Kamakura. He was stationed for a time in Yokohama.

2/1///10 The coroner put the wrong date of death so I will not be able to collect any of the insurance he took out for me.

I made this video about the opening of the box:

The Box