No chocolates. No flowers. Just some music from the heart.

Hey, how about some original music to help celebrate Valentines Day! Thought I'd offer you two samples of music that express - at least in the way I imagine it - two kinds of love.

Some of my students are familiar with these two pieces - they've performed them in previous student showcases with other musicians playing along. These two versions, however, are shortened arrangements for solo piano (performed by yours truly).

I wrote the first piece, Lullaby, early one morning back in 2012. The image of a mother with her newborn child was my inspiration for this slow, sentimental tribute. My goal in writing this one was to express feelings of pure, unconditional love.

The second piece, Z Tango, was written back in 2013 for a couple of dancers I've always admired. While the music certainly reflects a more "traditional" Tango offering for dance, the couple, for whom the music was written, are well known for their ability to dance "on the fly." Anyway, I wrote this piece - not surprisingly - with a kind of love centered around sensuality and passion.

What images come to your mind when you hear these pieces? Would love to hear your comments.