Für Anela (for piano)

In 1810, Ludwig van Beethoven composed Für Elise — a piece that remained unpublished until 40 years after his death, only to become one of his most iconic works. 149 years later, in 1976, Arvo Pärt wrote Für Alina, a seminal tintinnabuli work that would go on to define much of his musical language.

Now, 49 years after Für Alina and 215 years after Für Elise, I have chosen to take part in this tradition. Für Anela was written as a birthday gift for my dear friend, the Icelandic pianist Anela Bakraqi, whom I came to know during my time at the Malmö Academy of Music in Sweden.