Do You Know Me?

Programme Notes

The composition of this piece, along with To Fly, resulted from a collaboration with soprano Katya Tchoubar. Katya envisioned us creating neo-romantic crossover chamber music—not merely simple or subtle instrumental accompaniments to a vocal line, but rather an orchestration where all instruments (including the voice) are treated as equals, each contributing something interesting to the piece.

I was particularly intrigued by this concept from a compositional standpoint, and I feel it was especially realized in this piece, which undergoes several mood changes. I greatly enjoyed the freedom to explore what I could ask the piano and strings to do in both pieces without feeling constrained.

Composing these works was an immensely rewarding experience, as it reminded me of how creatively satisfying it is to write music that seeks to move the listener’s heart. Since working with Katya, I’ve gone on to compose several other neo-romantic pieces that I’m very proud of.

I’m starting to conclude that the two true motivators driving my composition are the exploration of either the beauty or the darkness within the human soul—after that, I suppose, there’s not much left to say.

– Frank Horvat

Lyrics

You don’t know me like I do.
You don’t owe me
To say:
“Take my hand, follow my voice”.
Do you know the wind when it touches
Your face?
Why do you stay with me?
Why do you care for me so?
How to express what I am feeling?
Scattered seashells on the living room floor…
Holding my breath,
Afraid to open my eyes and see
This is just a dream.
Is this just a dream?

Do you know the rain after you satisfied your thirst?
Do you?
Do you know me after you felt my caress?
Know…me…

Let my heart sing this song –
Da da da da

I’ll take your hand, I’ll follow your voice, follow your voice.
Breaking free from the past
Free from “yesterday”.
Da da da
All that matters is I want to be with you. Now!
Da da da……
Make this dream to go on and on….