Redshift, written by Robert Bird Lawlor, 1971-1996

My brother Robert was a huge influence on me as a person and as a musician. He composed this beautiful piece, which he named Redshift, a few years before he was tragically killed in a car accident at age 24. I was able to play it at his funeral and am now happy to finally share it with the world on his behalf.

Just a few months before his accident, Robert had moved back home after a difficult divorce. He brought his electric piano with him and played it often--beautifully and thoughtfully. I remember very clearly one day hearing him play Chopin’s Raindrops prelude and feeling moved almost to tears (a huge feat for a 16-year-old). At that moment I had the distinct impression that I needed to make music a bigger part of my life. It wasn’t long after that that I began taking my first piano lessons.

The piano Robert brought home that summer now sits in my living room where I regularly coax new music from its keys. We all miss him and wish he and his quick wit were still around to make us smile.