Andrew Mark Sauerwein

For Joel, With Love  was composed for my brother’s memorial service, at the request of our elder brother Tim. The piece is partly a public expression of remembrance and loss, but the sentiments it reveals are more personal and varied: the music voices my recollection of our enduring affection for one another, the maturing of our relationship over half a century, the quiet pain of being geographically separated by half a dozen states over the last two decades. These images scarcely have time to unfold in so brief a work, yet the music distills both a sense of loss and an enduring longing for our eternal home. For this, and for Joel’s life of faithful love for Jesus Christ, neither words nor music will ever be enough.