"'Valentine' was composed on Valentine's Day in 2001 at The MacDowell Colony in Peterborough, NH. At the time, I was writing jazz tunes with the aid of a kitchen timer, and this was completed in sketch form in about 20 minutes. I then fashioned a lead sheet and began playing the piece in concerts, usually as an encore. It received a Grammy nomination for Best Instrumental Composition in 2008. As I performed the piece, my interpretations became more consistent - even though there is a free improvisatory introduction and improvisation after the melody and before the recapitulation (both of them written out here in abbreviated form). I have had many requests from non-improvising pianists for a piano arrangement, so I created this arrangement in 2010.

This piece is to be played in a relaxed, leisurely manner with great affection and warmth." - Fred Hersch