The title of the present collection--Tombeaux--literally means "tombs," in a musical sense similar to that used by composers from the seventeenth through the twentieth centuries for pieces intended to honor the memory of distinguished personages. From early times, it has been customary for the creators of tombeaux and similar works to make at least some allusion to the styles of those composers they have chosen to commemorate musically. Ford has intentionally refrained from dedicating the pieces in the present collection to any specific composers, broadening the concept of tombeau to include any commemorative musical essay in the style of a particular composer or historical period.
All of the tombeaux in this album are short romantic works which range from relatively easy pieces to technically challenging studies for the mature pianist. Since they were composed at different times and under different circumstances between 1969 and 1991, Ford never intended the pieces to be performed as an integral set, although they possess sufficient stylistic unity and variety to be effectively grouped together in this manner on recital programs.
"Wings" is an alluringly gossamer étude for developing staccato and legato touch and dynamic control.