Prufrock's Dilemma

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Ancient Instruments, Timeless Sounds

St. Donats Arts Centre, Llantwit Major, Wales, May 9, 2012

Vale of Glamorgan Festival of Music

I’ve not learned to drive on the “wrong” side of the road. That meant cadging a lift to Llantwit Major for my first Vale of Glamorgan Festival of Music concert. Thank goodness for Festival staff member Cathy Morris, who did the driving, for the evening was rainy, and Llantwit Major is about an hour’s drive from Cardiff on small and yet smaller roads.

Crossing a Bridge of Dreams

All Saints Church, Penarth, Wales, May 10, 2012

Vale of Glamorgan Festival of Music

The taxi driver knew exactly where to find All Saints Church in Penarth. “I was married there,” he said. When we told him we were going to a concert of choral music, he seemed almost as excited as I was. It transpired he’d sung in a choir as a boy, at least until his voice changed. “It went all flat,” he said. His dejection at not being able to continue was palpable, even now.

Gertrude’s Gloire

Gertrude Stein, sculpture by Jo Davidson

I’d been warned that the exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum, The Steins Collect, was vast and, not only that, but also full of explanatory text. “You can spend all your time,” said my artist-friend Barbara, “just reading the text.”

Gathering Blossoms While I May

Central Park Conservatory Garden
(if you can't see the photo slideshow above, try clicking here.)

Traveling Music

(No, not a misprint: the musical form is a palindrome, and the title is a palindrome, as well.)

So, off I go to the Vale of Glamorgan Festival of Music. I'll look forward to catching up with you on my return from Wales.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

The Welcoming Spirit of Composer John Metcalf

John Metcalf

Composer and Artistic Director of the Vale of Glamorgan Festival of Music

On May 7, I'm heading to Wales to attend the last three concerts of the Vale of Glamorgan Festival of Music. The Festival, which this year runs from May 1 through May 11, is dedicated to celebrating the work of living composers from all over the world. This year, for example, two of the featured composers are Danish composer Per Nørgård (on the occasion of his 80th birthday) and Chinese composer Qigang Chen.

And On To a Dazzling CD

cover art by George Mattingly Design
the full CD jacket booklet can be found here

Today, April 24, is the official release date for the first CD from Contemporaneous: Stream of Stars, Music of Dylan Mattingly. To mark the day, a big day for my personal musical history book, I am taking the unusual step of re-posting what I wrote earlier this month about Stream of Stars. For more information about the CD, click here.