In the early 1990s I was approached by Robert Cram to write for the Pierrot Ensemble. It was an ensemble comprised of great musicians in Ottawa. Just a year or so prior, I had spent some time in Paris and made the trek out to Versailles. Its splendour made an impression that lingered into the writing of this work. “Velvet Versailles” was completed in 1994 and revised in 1998. The work was commissioned by the Pierrot Ensemble with the assistance of the Ontario Arts Council.