In addition to numerous recordings by the composer himself (including at least five released under his own name,[1] plus many more featuring the composer as either co-leader, sideman, or arranger, all of them employing Fischer's arrangements),[a] it has been covered by a multitude of artists, including Bill Evans, Dave Valentin, Gene Harris, Jack Wilson, Bill Perkins, Brian Bromberg, Bob Florence, and Rob McConnell.
Many more, including George Shearing,[3] Gene Bertoncini,[4] Hubert Laws,[5] Billy Taylor,[6] Bill Mays,[7] Marian McPartland,[8] Benny Green,[9] Sam Most,[10] Gary Foster,[11] and Freddie Hubbard,[12] have made "Pensativa" part of their regular repertoires.
Speaking to students at an informal clinic hosted by his brother Dirk in October 1998, Fischer explained: That has been recorded by some jazz players - Freddie Hubbard is one of them.
[16] They were promptly reprised in 1985, again with Fischer accompanying, this time with a full rhythm section, on singer Lisa Rich's second album, Touch of the Rare.
[19] As with each new dawnSun is giving the breath of day,And warms the cold from nightAnd hovers softly o'er the sea of day.And now with the twilightYou sit pensive and lost it seemsWhat lived so near last nightIs now converted into empty dreams.For day starts once more anewAnd lifts you from the clutching bonds of nightAnd leads you once more in search of happinessEver seeking on and on, searching endlessly for what is gone.Then night drops its curtainMaking certain your lonelinessAnd fills a longing cloud [also: "and drops a shroud of gloom" - better!