Tolstoy Park Suite

"I cannot overstate what an honor I feel to have my words inspire this music. Tom Morley's 'Tolstoy Park Suite,' those six haunting compositions, are the melody of the novel itself, with a tone and feeling lifted right from its pages."
Sonny Brewer, author of 'The Poet of Tolstoy Park'

Tolstoy Park Suite is a new suite of tunes composed by Mithril fiddler Tom Morley, inspired by the book "The Poet of Tolstoy Park" by Fairhope author Sonny Brewer. Morley was inspired to write these pieces after hearing Brewer read from his book shortly before its publication in March 2005. Mithril fans will recognize one of the melodies, 'Henry Stuart's Theme,' that the band has been playing since last spring. Added to that are five other tunes, including 'A Year To Live', ' Waltz for Kate Anderson,' 'Stedman's Landing,' 'Today I Am Leaving Home,' and 'Henry Behind the Wheel.' Sonny Brewer reads excerpts from his book to complete the work.

"Even before it was published, I was inspired by Sonny's book about Henry Stuart and the home he built for himself. Several weeks before the release date, Sonny did a book reading at the Fairhope Public Library, and a melody came into my head as he read the words he had written about Henry's life. I rushed home afterwards, grabbed my violin, and wrote 'Henry Stuart's Theme' within the hour. Over the next few weeks, as I read the book, I was continually inspired by Sonny's characters and the events he wrote about so vividly. I continued writing and recording other melodies that eventually became the 'Tolstoy Park Suite.' I don't try and tell the story of the book through these tunes; they are musical portraits of some of the memorable characters and my impression of some of the events that take place in the novel I am so pleased that Sonny agreed to add his book readings to my compositions, creating a unique experience of words and music that together celebrates the life of Henry Stuart. I'd like to thank Sonny Brewer for his inspirational book and his collaboration, and his publisher, Ballantine Books, for allowing us to use the book excerpts in the Suite."
Tom Morley

* For your listening choices, this CD features two versions of the Tolstoy Park Suite. Track one is the suite in its entirety including Sonny's readings from his book. Tracks two through seven are separate versions of each song in the Suite without the readings.

To purchase a CD online click here.

Sonny Brewer's debut novel, THE POET OF TOLSTOY PARK, sold out its first printing in 48 hours, and was selected by the Book of the Month Club and One Spirit Book Club. A movie deal based on the book has been signed, with a screen play by Tom Epperson ("The Gift" with Cate Blanchett, and "A Family Thing" with Robert Duvall). The paperback edition of the book, as well as a 6-CD unabridged audio version read by Rick Bragg, are now available.

Visit Sonny brewer's website, www.overthetransom.com, to learn more about THE POET OF TOLSTOY PARK and Henry Stuart.