Comments on: Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About

By: zeno

zeno — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:05:43 +0000

… “the Glass-Hampton-Coetzee “Waiting for the Barbarians” — premiered a few years back in Erfurt, Germany, and captured, in fragments, in Scott Hicks new documentary.” (zeno)

Goofus, don’t you know that Glass’s ‘Waiting for the Barbarians’ (as staged in Erfurt, Amsterdam, and London; if not San Francisco, New York City, or Washington, D.C.) was released, in full, by Orange Mountain Music over a month ago?

Yeah, I know, but I can’t always keep Glass’s many recent releases straight in my mind. Thanks for pointing it out.

By: Seth Gordon

Seth Gordon — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:11:30 +0000

Perhaps all this showed was that white males in their mid-40s are more likely to waste their lunch breaks filling out internet surveys.

By: J.C. Combs

J.C. Combs — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:24:51 +0000

“… his 35th (?) film score?” zeno

Really, there are 35? I always assumed it was one regurgitated over and over. Comedy, drama, thriller, makes no difference really, keep those childish chords rolling (just kidding Glass. I dig your film music, but , I dig your non-film music even better).

By: zeno

zeno — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:55:41 +0000

ok, points taken

… hmm, Philip Glass (and colleagues) self-produce a huge experimental opera at the Metropolitan Opera House at the age of 39, and the run sells out [1976]. Can this not be considered just as much a success as Mr Glass completing his 20th opera, his 8th symphony, or his 35th (?) film score?

[I'm still waiting for the MET or the NYCO to announce an upcoming staging of the Glass-Hampton-Coetzee "Waiting for the Barbarians" -- premiered a few years back in Erfurt, Germany, and captured, in fragments, in Scott Hicks new documentary.]

By: Elaine Fine

Elaine Fine — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 15:19:03 +0000

If I am over 45 can I be considered above average?

By: david toub

david toub — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:51:14 +0000

I absolutely agree—the whole notion of composition competitions, grants, etc. are absurd concepts to me. Ives once said “Prizes are the badges of mediocrity,” and he was totally correct. When he did get the Pulitzer, it was for a piece that pales compared to the music many at that time disdained.

By: PKB

PKB — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:10:56 +0000

Since when is receiving a grant a sign of success? By one measure, a composer who can make it through life as a musician without ever soliciting or receiving a disbursement might be considered a success.

By: Sparky P.

Sparky P. — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:27:27 +0000

Yeah, perhaps, but an example of one does not an average make (and besides, it was a rhetorical question to begin with).

By: zeno

zeno — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:52:30 +0000

“But what is the average age of the average SUCCESSFUL American composer?”

– Sparky P.

John Adams received his first NEA grant when he was 31 or 32 years old (I believe).

By: lawrencedillon

lawrencedillon — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:04:30 +0000

Anthony — I just got a call from the people who put together the survey. You were the only one who filled it out.