Life is Beautiful was composed for my daughter Adeline’s wedding on February 19, 2022. She and her husband Troy had a beautiful winter ceremony in Connecticut and this music served as their processional. Addy is the youngest of my older children and she has faced numerous battles throughout her life, conquering challenges and growing to become a loving, strong, intelligent, charming, and compassionate young woman. I am so proud of her and all that she has overcome.

Life is Beautiful, my second work for solo guitar, was inspired by her strength. Its melodic material is taken for my Symphony No. 10, a work with enormous meaning for me concerning the duality of life’s experiences, and its ultimate message is about overcoming those challenges to appreciate the beauty in our lives. Every time I think of Addy, I think of that message, and it was only natural for me to use the melody from the final section of that symphony (subtitled Life is Beautiful) to honor my special girl on her wedding day.

Special thanks to my friend and colleague, David Newsam, for providing me with feedback on this piece, as well as performing the recording found here.