Commission an Elegy
An Elegy is a bespoke, piano-based musical portrait that honours one person you love and miss, created through a tender, in‑depth conversation about their life and your relationship with them.
What is an elegy?
A unique, composed piece that translates memories, stories, and small everyday details into intimate, contemporary classical music.
A lasting musical keepsake you can return to in moments of remembrance, share with family, or play at commemorations and anniversaries.
Feedback from an elegy recipient
"I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the song you composed for my son. Words are hardly enough to describe how much it touches me that you gave him his own melody - a child who you never knew personally and who through your music has come to life so much.
You didn't just listen to him by taking in what I said - you heard between the lines, felt what remained unsaid. And that's exactly what I feel in every single note. There is so much tenderness, so much respect and so much honest intimacy in your song that it feels as if you have carefully captured a part of his being and given him a place where he can continue to exist. A place where he is not lost, but resonates, breathes and is remembered."
How will it be created?
You meet with Garreth (in person or online) for a gentle, structured conversation about your bereavement, focused on the person’s character, quirks, and the love you shared.
Garreth then composes and records a piano work specifically for your loved one, shaping melody, harmony, and pacing directly from what you share.
Once the piece is completed, Garreth will invite you to meet again. He'll play the piece to you several times, explain the compositional process, answer any questions you have, and give you another opportunity to reflect on your grief and remember your loved one.
What will it be like?
It'll be guided by you.
Crucial to know is that the tone is not only about sorrow; it centres on love, connection, and the textures of a life well lived, reflecting the idea that there is no grief without love.
Many people experience the process as quietly supportive, helping them feel less isolated in grief and more able to name and hold their feelings.
What you receive
- A dedicated Elegy for your loved one.
- Two 1-2-1 sessions with Garreth.
- The Elegy recorded in high quality audio that you can listen to privately, play for others, or incorporate into ceremonies.
- Sheet music of the Elegy, so that you can play it on the piano, or get another pianist to play it for you.
Gifting
You can gift an Elegy to someone who who has lost a loved one. This is a wonderful way to help them move through their grief.
Price
Commissioning a personal Elegy costs €500, reflecting the many hours of time, craft, and careful emotional holding involved in each piece.
Due to the generosity of other Elegy commissioners who have paid more than the standard charge, people with limited means can access a lower price. Please contact Garreth directly using garreth@garrethbrooke.com to discuss.
About the composer
Garreth Brooke is a pianist, composer, writer, teacher and grief companion based in Frankfurt, Germany.
He works with bereaved people to help them honour their loved ones.
His 2019 album Healing depicts the complex process of healing from physical and mental trauma. His 2025 album Life Through Loss is an exploration of grief in all its complexity.
“Full of warmth and intimacy, beauty, contrast, and dynamism. The depth of the compositions matches the dazzling technical skill. Broke plays with effortless grace, always focused and with profound inner reflection. Life Through Loss is an extraordinary album that helps anyone experiencing grief to integrate loss into the fabric of life.” — Hans Kaltwasser, DerKulturBlog