For Hilde

For Hilde was composed for and dedicated to Hilde Valcke on her retirement after decades of devoted service as director of Muziekacademie Schaarbeek. Although originally a saxophonist, she had begun studying the piano a few years earlier, and the work became one of her farewell gifts. A year later, she performed it herself. Its original title was Schimmering Through the Years, but I now simply call it For Hilde.