One of my favorites that I'll include here is when Dollie decided she wanted her name to be spoken with the French pronunciation, "Daulie" - (Dohlie). She insisted on it, actually. Such a Diva, was the Doll.
In honor of her late interest in things French, I offer here a link to a recording of Gabriel Fauré, one of the foremost French composers of his generation. Here for your enjoyment, is the Berceuse (cradle song or lullaby) from the "Dolly Suite". Though not actually written with a feline friend in mind, I think it's quite appropriate for one as petite and sweet as our little Dollie-Mae Groh. I like to think of her being held and petted by the angels during the Berceuse. Berceuse for Dolly - click this link and then scroll down and press the play button in the little pink box.
The Dolly Suite is made up of 6 pieces composed and dedicated to a little girl who was nick-named "Dolly" because of her petite stature (just like Doll-Kitty) and really I think they all make a nice tribute to our Doll. Perhaps you'll come across the entire collection of music one day and be reminded of sweet Dollie-Mae.
After the Berceuse comes "Mi-a-ou" which was actually the little girl's mis-pronunciation of her brother's name - but I like to sound it out as "Me-o-w" as in Dollie's little expressions.
And when I had the honor of meeting Dollie in Maryland, she was happy to sun herself among the flowers on Oma's back porch - "Le jardin de Dolly" is "Dolly's Garden" in English. We have a sweet photo on our refrigerator of Dollie Groh sitting all prim and proper among Oma's flowers - I will definitely think of that image when I hear "Le Jardin de Dolly".
And though "Kitty-Valse" was actually a typo and was supposed to be "Ketty" for the little girl's dog of that name - I will simply choose to embrace the mistake and dedicate it to the sweetest KITTY - Dollie - so this is her little waltz, then. I can just see her spinning around the dance floor! :)
And "tender" she truly was as in movement 5 - "Tendresse".
And finally, in the last movement, "Le pas espagnol" we hear a spirited Spanish Dance and this same title is often used in Equine Dressage - you see it in the horse shows. It describes a very majestic and spectacular scene in which the horse lifts each front leg up high and extends it straight out, one after the other while keeping a very steady gait and exquisite form. I think it's quite possible that if secret cameras had been installed in her home, we would have video of Dollie prancing around in this manner in front of the mirror. I wouldn't be at all surprised!
Anyway, she was very well-loved by all who knew her and I pray that her memory will be eternal and that she will be awarded a sunny place in paradise for all the love she shared with us during her life. God Bless you, Doll-kitty. And God grant solace to the bereaved she left behind.
The Dolly Suite, Op. 56, is a collection of pieces for piano four-hands by Gabriel Fauré. The only piano duet in Fauré's oeuvre (and also the only work containing pieces bearing titles other than those of a musical form), the suite was written between 1894 and 1897. Its six pieces take a total of fifteen minutes to perform.
This six-part piano duet, written between 1894 and 1896, was inspired by a charming and delightful little girl named Hélène Bardac, the daughter of a neighbor banker's wife named Emma. Hélène was nicknamed Dolly due to her diminutive size (JUST LIKE OUR DOLL-KITTY!). The various segments of the work commemorated aspects of Dolly's life and served as birthday presents.
Le Pas Espagnole (Spanish Dance), an exhilarating allegro full of Latin rhythms and color, was named after a bronze equestrian statue created by Fauré's father-in-law Emmanuel; it was admired by Dolly and sat on her mantelpiece.
