AFFIRMATION is written for John Jensen and in memory of Clinton Hamlin Blake III, uncle and Godfather of the composer.  Clinton Blake’s life was spent in the pursuit of the ministry, the family, music, poetry and education.  AFFIRMATION began with the composition of the second movement, “Irrepressible,” a title (subject) requested of me by my uncle.  Upon completion of the second movement it became obvious that an introduction (“Hesitance”) and a conclusion (“Benedictus”) were needed.  The resulting sonata for piano is an instrumental “Requiem.”

The first recording below is of the first movement, and the second is the rest of the piece.