Dedicating

[narsil26]

At the top of a composition that you write, what is the proper way to dedicate it to someone?  Like, what is the standard thing you write, and where on the page?

[mike_lang]

Usually directly above the title in small italicized print, "To [my dear friend] ______".

Best,
ML

[narsil26]

What's better to use...."to..." or "for..."  ?

[mike_lang]

I don't think that it really matters.  I know that often times when it is not in English, they use "a", i.e., "a F. Liszt" (with the accent above the a), which means "to," but I've seen people go both ways in English.  My personal preference is "to."

Best,
ML

[pianistimo]

just make sure you don't rededicate it to someone else.  i think that is rude.  schumann wrote his beautiful a minor piano concerto and dedicated it to his wife clara - and then, when brahms suddenly came onto the scene - immediately rededicated it to him  (i think it was the piano concerto?)  anyway - i thought - how rude!  if i was his wife- i'd have a snot fit.