In memoriam was written in 2001 as a tribute to three close friends and distinguished scholars of Iranian languages who all died in that year: Ron Emmerick, Neil MacKenzie and Ilya Gershevitch. The three instruments of the string trio, each of which in turn takes the leading part, symbolize the three colleagues. The music was inspired by the following lines by Emily Dickinson, which many musicians will know from the setting by Aaron Copland:
The world feels dusty When we stop to die; We want the dew then, Honors taste dry.
Flags vex a dying face, But the least fan Stirred by a friend’s hand Cools like the rain.
Mine be the ministry When thy thirst comes, Dews of thyself to fetch And holy balms.
