Gmail-Correspondence between Frederic Rzewski and I, 2011-2021
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
10 May 2011 at 13:32
To: [email protected]
13:29 me: I can't really hear you at the moment.
13:31 Frederic: Why don't we do this another time?
13:32 me: Ok, that's fine with me. I'd like to chat but the connection is bad. And I'm supposed to catch a train in 20 minutes
Frederic: OK, later!
me: i'll call soon!
Frederic: Bye
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
22 May 2011 at 00:31
To: [email protected]
23:30 Frederic: What's up?
me: I just wanted to ask one question. maybe it's not the right moment?
23:31 Frederic: No, it's fine. Isn't the video working?
me: I just can't hear if you're talking or not
but I can hear you typing
I don't understand why you can't hear me
23:32 what the fuck is wrong with my computer?
59 minutes
00:31 me: mathias osterwolt
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
21 June 2011 at 00:51
To: [email protected]
00:51 me: Did you know Julius Eastman? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2XtFZMpwm0&feature=related
00:52 Frederic: Yes I knew him quite well.
00:53 me: Where and when did you meet him? I'll play 'Crazy Nigger' in August, in Holland.
00:54 Frederic: Buffalo, 1966.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
2 November 2011 at 13:38
To: [email protected]
13:22 me: ok
13:26 Frederic: now you have disappeared. What's up?
13:27 me: ok
13:28 ? it's not working is it?
13:30 Frederic: i can't seem to be able to call you bnck, you are "offline".
no sound
me: sorry, I don't know why there's no sound
I can't figure it out
13:31 Sorry Fred. I think my computer is falling apart.
I can't figure out why there's no sound
Frederic: well we all fall apart
me: I called with one question
since there's no sound, I can just type.
13:32 Your concert in Paris is on the 19th of Nov right?
Frederic: yesat 6 pm
me: ok. I found cheap train tickets, so I'll come
Frederic: great
13:33 me: I find this frustrating
I just tested it with 'Skype' and my microphone does work
Frederic: what is your phone number? I'll call you on call phone
me: just a minute
+49 (0) 1522 4823331
13:34 so +4915224823331
Frederic: this is a cell number?
me: yes, so its a little expensive
13:35 I have a feeling your speakers may be turned off. I could hear you typing while I was on the phone
Frederic: I'll call you on the regular phone
me: we don't have a regular phone around here.
13:36 unfortunately
13:38 mystery
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
15 November 2011 at 19:39
To: [email protected]
19:28 me: Hi Fred, my microphone is shot.
I have to buy a new one tomorrow
19:32 Frederic: Oh, OK. I just wanted to say that if you did want to come to Paris I most likely can wangle you a ticket.
7 minutes
19:39 me: that's nice. I thought you probably could. i'm exhausted and mentally a little busy. let's do it another time.
but thanks anyway
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
23 January 2012 at 00:48
To: [email protected]
00:29 Frederic: trying
00:48 me: Damn
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
18 March 2012 at 13:25
To: [email protected]
12:20 me: Hi Fred, how are you. no microphone so I can't call
12:21 I'm not sure I can do a gig, so I sent them your email address. Maybe they'll ask you. I wonder if you are interested. I'll forward you the email. Talk soon I hope, cheers, Bobby
13:08 Frederic: I can't, but I sent it on to some other folks.
13:25 me: thanks, that was a good idea. I hope someone can. I wish I could go play.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
3 April 2012 at 19:12
To: [email protected]
18:49 me: maybe it's my microphone
i'll try to call you back
Frederic: ok
18:50 me: try calling me
18:51 i have no words
Frederic: noemi's email: [email protected]
me: ok thanks
18:52 that's all i wanted to call and ask for anyway
but a chat never hurts
Frederic: I can send you her phone number, but I have to get it
me: ok
18:53 Frederic: 030 37443642
me: OK, i'll call her
Frederic: When are you goig to Berlin?
me: this sunday, 8th
18:54 Frederic: I'll try to let her know
me: OK that's nice. I'll call her sometime this week
it's hopeless
Frederic: we'll try later
me: sounds good. thanks for the info
hasta luego
17 minutes
19:12 me: call me back
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
30 April 2012 at 22:56
To: [email protected]
22:56 Frederic: Tried to call yo back, no go.
me: oh sorry, i was 'offline'
now try
22:57 nothing's up
just at home
with no sound
22:58 +4915224823331
it's a mobile though
that costs alot
forget about it
let's talk when we figure out our sound
22:59 no one uses those these days
well this was fun
i'll see what the fuck is wrong
then maybe call you back
23:01 i changed some settings
dammit
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
6 May 2012 at 20:58
To: [email protected]
20:58 me: Hi Fred, I'm in a pub, don't think I can chat here
loud music
Frederic: I thought you went to France.
me: I'm in a pub in France.
I needed a glass of wine and an internet connection. so now i'm in a pub
Frederic: Oh, OK. Later then.
20:59 me: ok, later.
A socialist just won the general election here. everyone is honking their car horns and celebrating on the street
21:00 Frederic: I guess he's better than the other guy.
me: Let's hope so.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
16 August 2012 at 22:31
To: [email protected]
22:24 Frederic: I've invited you to a hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/2c6354aa5ac1ba5f8e595eb3fd30a2227ecf5faf?hcb=1&hii=104688061237096319010&hit=1345148688193&htp=1&hmv=0
22:25 I've invited you to a hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/35701590498ad761fa7e4d91907e8c4bb4ba65dc?hcb=1&hii=104688061237096319010&hit=1345148704971&htp=1&hmv=0
22:26 me: Je vous ai invité à un hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/153eb222a71c72bc15c872e1d25faa4f89642e9e?hcb=1&hii=111739830878648841754&hit=1345148781511&htp=1&hmv=0
22:27 Je vous ai invité à un hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/153eb222a71c72bc15c872e1d25faa4f89642e9e?hcb=1&hii=111739830878648841754&hit=1345148829749&htp=1&hmv=0
It's not working. Why don't you try calling me?
22:29 Je vous ai invité à un hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/a3e45c893cf3784710b127e195b57c7bfc6f9064?hcb=1&hii=111739830878648841754&hit=1345148951737&htp=1&hmv=0
22:30 Frederic: I don't understand, something has changed.
22:31 me: I also don't understand.
Now it's called a 'hangout'.
Should I try calling you again?
22:32 Frederic: I've invited you to a hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/38d1ecde4531c38ee5cb997cd0493c6857bbbc3a?hcb=1&hii=104688061237096319010&hit=1345149135342&htp=1&hmv=0
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
26 September 2012 at 22:49
To: [email protected]
22:31 me: Je vous ai invité à un hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/4f0e4b8571c6e3ca3f9a7346587d1eb89ce6802c?hcb=1&hii=111739830878648841754&hit=1348691486325&htp=1&hmv=0
22:36 Je vous ai invité à un hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/b7829a9955906ecc2b767fb235921e7cd324aad9?hcb=1&hii=111739830878648841754&hit=1348691765814&htp=1&hmv=0
22:38 Frederic: This worked better before there were these "hangouts"
22:39 me: yeah it's dreadful
let me try to call you again
22:40 Frederic: ok
me: Je vous ai invité à un hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/54e33cfa9a642de3e7a06917ca502975c13c32e3?hcb=1&hii=111739830878648841754&hit=1348692007554&htp=1&hmv=0
9 minutes
22:49 Frederic: Do you have a tzlephone number? I'll call you.
me: only mobile...
22:50 Frederic: nlo good
me: yeah i know...
Je vous ai invité à un hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/9be7b887d31be6e79137cabdb0552c30a2bfa787?hcb=1&hii=111739830878648841754&hit=1348692620166&htp=1&hmv=0
Frederic: I've invited you to a hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/e17c31b4cbb403008c83ecdfcf9cdd8d4d4be42a?hcb=1&hii=104688061237096319010&hit=1348692634532&htp=1&hmv=0
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
16 October 2012 at 22:23
To: [email protected]
22:01 me: Hi Fred, are you back from America? I can't call you for some reason.
22:04 Frederic: Yes, got back a few days ago.
me: You can't hear me, can you?
I can hear you.
Frederic: No
22:05 me: yes, i really hear you
yes.
that's right.
yes, i'm Beethoven. i'm doing the writing
Well it's a little slow.
yes, just keep talking
22:06 music?
you wrote enough music today?
that's good.
just came back from africa
had a wonderful time
today
22:07 yes, same time zone
and i have to wait for a few minutes, and then talk to my parents and grandfather
so i'm pissed off that the sound isn't working
i'm going to cut this off, and try again
i only have a cell phone...
hasta pronto
22:10 it's just not working
maybe i'm too tired to get this shit to work
maybe we should talk another time
22:11 Frederic: OK. I guess you can't hear me now.
hello?
me: now i can hear you. but you still can't hear me
i can hear you though
22:12 yes, probably
why not?
i have interesting conversations with myself
yes, Beethoven
yes, pretty good
could be worse
not so bad
i did my best
22:13 yes, definitely
well
in the cadenzas i also played some of beethovens music
and then improvised as well
you know he wrote cadenzas
i used some of his 'material
yes
yeah
for now
exactly
22:14 i'm happy with it
i agree
it's lost treasure
hahahaha
smoked glass
well there's the story of the loom in lyon
loom = making quilts, right?
22:15 they invented a loom in the 19th century
but it would have put the whole city of out work
so it was locked up in a room for 100 years
oh yes, you have?
oooh
saint etiennes
ahh ok
22:16 very interesting
oh yes
there's also the akhnetan mechanism
hold on
who's that?
oooh
ooh, well you should rather talk to her
yeah
22:17 hold on i'll find the wikipedia page and send it to you
don't worry, i'll send it
was discovered in the aaegean ocean
2500 years ago
technology from 2500 years ago
anyway who gives a shit
yes, me too
22:18 interesting
it wasn't a cultural interest
or priority
oh yeah
oh wow
i didn't know that
22:19 well
music is irreproducible, really
well
fuck them
well
oh i could do my best
thanks
these days you have to watch out for std's
sexually transmitted diseases
22:20 that's good
probably you are
but i just mean
fucking the record industry is a health risk
std's
well i mean literally
by literally fucking
22:21 oh maybe not
but you never know
that's true
it doesn't involve me
22:23 i think that's right
anyway music is best most enjoyable when done yourself
that's that
that's true
i think it still happens all over the world
it happens on the streets of africa
22:24 people make music just for fun
it's beautiful to see
anyway
all three cities
jo'burg for one day
durban where i played
and cape town for two days where i fell in love with a beautiful man
i mean
whatever that means
22:25 haha
that's right
in my experience
distraction
oh i have to go
parents are calling
adios fred
talk soon
yes, will do
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
23 October 2012 at 23:18
To: [email protected]
23:14 Frederic: hello, are you there?
me: Sure am
Frederic: What did you think of Igor?
23:15 me: all in all, i was a bit disappointed
Frederic: Why?
me: but still, he's clearly a good pianist
the first have seemed too serious to me. in the Bach/Brahms I felt like i was in church.
Frederic: How about Debussy?
23:16 me: Debussy was somehow not quixotive or spontaneous enough, anyway that's how i felt in the moment.
it felt very distant
23:17 Frederic: There wasn't much dynamic contrast. I had the impression somebody told him he should play theser pieces, but his heart wasn't in it.
me: I agree.
and I didn't hear all of the People United because I had a phone call and ate some dinner
but I heard the end, and I was disappointed with the last part and with the cadenza
23:18 There lacked a certain urgency
23:19 Frederic: I think he doesn't understand that you don't have to improvise.
me: that's a good point.
23:20 and his cadenza didn't sound improvised to me
Frederic: I guess he's trying to please everybody. I can do this, I can do that.
No, certainly not. That's the point. If you improvise, you really have to improvise. Nothing prepared.
23:21 me: that's a large undertaking for most pianists these days
not very many of us think we can improvise
but of course we all can
23:22 it's just a matter of taking a little risk
23:23 Frederic: But mainly you should only improvise if it makes sense.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
31 October 2012 at 22:21
To: [email protected]
21:28 Frederic: So where are you before the 10th?
21:30 me: in Freiburg
i come on the night train on friday night the 9th, arriving on the 10th
21:31 Frederic: What are you reharsing?
me: chopin etudes, ligeti etudes, your Piano Piece IV, and Chopin etudes arr. by Godowsky, intended for one player, two hands, but we are playing them with two players four hands
this is with the Doelen Ensemble, in Rotterdam
21:32 Frederic: When is that?
me: Saturday night 3-Nov. where will you be then?
21:33 Frederic: Here in Brussels. Rushing to finish this piece.
me: oh yeah
well I'm disappointed i can't come down to brussels
21:34 but i would just be a distraction
21:35 when does the piece have to be finished?
Frederic: tomorrow
me: oh i see
Frederic: I still have several pages to write out
21:36 lots of notes
me: well maybe you'll manage in time
if not
you can just give it to them late. that's typical composer behavior
21:37 Frederic: well that's what it will be
Where are you on the 8th?
me: i'll be in freiburg
21:38 why? what's happening then?
Frederic: Luna Partk is playing in Den Bosch, Ralph van Raat playing the piece I wrote fo them, "Hard Cuts"
21:39 me: oh yeah
that's right, i saw that on the programme
sadly i won't be there
21:40 Frederic: And what are you playing finally on Sunday?
me: War Songs, and 'Stop the War!' from the Road
21:41 Frederic: I still haven't heard your recording of "De Profundis"
You're doinfg the same program twice?
me: I really thought I sent you my recording of De Profundis
21:42 i can send it again if you want.
Frederic: Oh yes, ok
me: I'm scheduled to play three times. I was thinking of playing each piece with cadenzas, and then the third time both pieces without cadenzas
or both pieces three times
I don't know.
how many times are you supposed to play? and what are you playing?
21:43 Frederic: I'm not sure. I'll look at the audience and then decide.
That's what Rubinstein would do.
me: thats a good idea
I like that strategy
21:44 Frederic: A doctor doesn't prescribe medicine before seeing the patient
me: yes that's true
maybe i'll do the same
but i don't have as much of your music in my fingers as you do
21:45 and i've been hired to play your music, not mine, or schumann's
Frederic: Of course I'm practicing various things.
me: like what?
21:46 Frederic: Some miles from the Road, like "A Friendly Dispute", "Notes From Underground", "A Walk in the Woods", and then some recent stuff.
21:47 me: that sounds nice
Frederic: It's nice if I practice it
me: can I ask you something unrelated? are you opposed to the idea of me transcribing one of your improvised cadenzas, in the beethoven hammerklavier sonata?
21:48 it's a project that I am doing to finish my master's degree in germany
Frederic: Will someone pay you for doing it?
me: no
21:49 Frederic: Seems like a lot of work
me: yeah, it's more work than I expected
here's the crux of the matter:
21:50 I need to start doing one of these PhD's
Frederic: And why do it?
me: and people seem interested in the idea of improvisation
including myself
but to do a PhD I need to basically write a musicological masterpiece
21:51 so transcribing and 'analyzing' your improvised cadenzas struck me as an interesting contribution to the musicological body of work on improvisation
but the answer to 'why do all this' is that I'm doing it for survival. not really because I'm interested in it
21:52 Frederic: You could limit yourself to transcribing isolated passages, which you write about, rather than the whole mispruche.
me: would you prefer that?
21:54 Frederic: The thing about these doctoral theses is that they are always too long. Nobody wants to read it. So if you can keep it short and just say what you have to say, everybody is happy, mainly you.
21:55 me: I think that's a brilliant observation
the only problem is that there are restrictions on these things.
mine will have to be 270,000 characters.
21:56 Frederic: What does that mean in terms of pages?
me: ca. 150
I guess
Frederic: Much too much.
me: I completely agree.
Frederic: You must have an adviser.
21:57 me: yes, I know. I'm looking for one at the moment.
21:58 Frederic: Do they grow on trees?
me: more or less! there are academics everywhere.
I can do this project anywhere in the world and with anyone.
there are two problems with this: I'm poor. and doing a PhD in Germany is free.
21:59 so that leaves me with looking for a German supervisor.
22:01 anyway, i dislike discussing this stuff.
i'm just planning this because of external pressure being put on me to get one of these PhD
s
my heart's not in it
22:03 Frederic: Well, what do you want to say about improvisation?
22:04 It's a much-written about subject, but not too many people have been able to say much about it.
22:05 me: that's true.
Frederic: Nobody knows, really. And what is there to know? It's not something you think about, you just do it.
22:06 me: I agree that.
Frederic: Anyway, you're not a mjusicologist, you're a piano player.
me: I know. it's a serious problem.
I'd like to remain a pianist.
22:07 but these days you have to have one of these PhD's to get a job. any basic job
the days of the romantic pianists are over
22:08 they weren't musicologists either.
they were musicians
22:09 Frederic: We're all blues brothers.
me: yes.
22:10 this conversation would have been more enjoyable if we didn't have to type
22:11 Frederic: There are schools in the US where you can get a phd more easily, maybe
me: I've been thinking alot about that.
but in order to pay for those schools, you tend to have to do 10 to 20 hours of teaching per week
22:12 teaching class piano, or theory, or something like that
I could just take out fat loans from the bank, like everyone else in my generation
Frederic: Right. But that can be negotiated, if they really want you.
me: yes, that's true. to a degree
22:13 Frederic: But this all implies that you want to go into teaching. Is that what you want?
22:14 me: well
I don't know.
I wouldn't really mind it. and i would be a relatively good piano teacher.
22:15 I don't see many other options for me. except making my money playing the piano like I do now.
Frederic: What's wrong with that?
me: nothing much. except that I don't have enough work
and if I am not a student, I'll eventually have to leave Europe. where most of my work is.
22:16 Frederic: Why would you have to leave?
22:17 Why can't you just be a travelling professional, with bases in different countries?
me: I like that idea.
Frederic: Like Marta Argerich.
me: that's a good example.
that costs alot of money, I think. I don't make nearly as much money as she does.
22:18 the truth is that I need to find more well paying concerts.
Frederic: Have you tried to get an agent?
22:19 me: yes
I need to keep trying
22:20 Frederic: Perhaps you need a gimmick.
me: that would help, I think.
22:21 Frederic: I think the best strategy, in a situation where the unknowns are numerous, is to keep doing what you're doing and try to make it better.
22:23 me: I like that strategy
I want to keep doing what I'm doing.
22:25 I'm getting better as well.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
6 November 2012 at 20:38
To: [email protected]
19:32 Frederic: Did you see that Elliott Carter died?
19:33 me: oh god
no, I didn't
19:35 when? just today?
19:36 Frederic: Yesterday.
You should play his music. Do you know "Catenaires"?
19:37 And "Interventions". You should do that one.
19:38 "Soundings" is very good too.
me: I'm listening to catenaires at the moment. very nice.
19:39 Frederic: It sounds like improvised, if it's well done.
In his last years, he wrote this very free sounding music, still bound to tradition.
19:41 me: I don't know his later music yet. there is alot of music to get to know.
19:42 Frederic: New music isn't played often enough, and if it is, it's usually stodgy and academic.
19:43 me: Yeah, that's a major problem. Actually that's a problem with all classical music. I also think old music is played very academically most of the time.
Frederic: It has a bad reputation. Minimalism and gimmicks have taken over.
19:44 Even so, if it's good it gets through. I just listened to Heinrich Schütz "Fili Mi Absalon" such great stuff.
19:45 me: Schuetz was a badass
19:47 I was listening to Buxtehude yesterday.
also very good.
Frederic: Now listening to this:
19:48 http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6p7dk_kevin-class-plays-elliott-carter-so_music?search_algo=2
19:50 me: this sonata is a wonderful piece.
Frederic: The pianit is pretty good too.
19:51 Do you know the joke about the nine-inch pianist?
me: no.
Frederic: I can't remember it, but it's good.
15 minutes
20:06 Frederic: It's one of those jokes in which somebody can have anything he wants. What he gets is a little guy sitting at a nine-inch Steinway.
31 minutes
20:38 me: sounds very phallic and enjoyable to me
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
7 November 2012 at 23:06
To: [email protected]
22:13 me: I've invited you to a hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/d771ed68a438a7310f7382be3b160cd8177cb38d?hcb=1&hii=111739830878648841754&hit=1352322817624&htp=1&hmv=0
22:16 Frederic: I can't do this unless you tell me how to install "Plugin".
22:17 me: sorry, I can't quite help you there.
I did it myself two or three weeks ago, and it didn't start working until yesterday.
Frederic: But how did you do it?
22:18 I'm listening to Messiaen Oiseaux Exotiques
me: You click on 'install plug-in' and then something will end up in your 'downloads' folder, and then you click on that and follow the instructions. if I'm not mistaken
oh that's a good one
i'm still listening to carter.
22:19 Frederic: There is no 'install plug-in' .
22:22 Boulez conducts Messiaen with military precision, like Naopleon.
22:24 me: are you working on a laptop? if you bring it this weekend maybe we can try together. but I am no technical expert, be warned.
nice comparison.
boulez got more relaxed in his old age. I like how he conducts now. I saw hiim live in Amsterdam two years ago, and he seemed very relaxed about the whole thing.
5 minutes
22:29 Frederic: When do you arrive in Boschville?
22:30 me: Saturday morning. I plan to go straight to Ralph van Raat's recital at 12.30
you? you're going tomorrow right?
Frederic: Yes.
22:31 me: Bon voyage.
22:32 Did you finish your 4-hand piece?
22:33 Frederic: Yes. I'm going over it now to make corrections.
22:36 me: i guess i'm not allowed to see a copy
Frederic: Certainly you are. I'll send it to you when I send it to Ursula.
22:37 me: great.
22:39 Frederic: Now I'm watching Messiaen Turangalila suymphony, great stuff. Funny. Like cartoon music. But the musicians seem deadly serious. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PjyCpRKDrk&feature=related
22:41 me: well that's because classical music is serious business.
don't forget.
having fun is not encouraged.
Frederic: You're not bein paid for that.
22:42 me: oh no.
you gotta work for your money
22:43 Frederic: And why not? But it makes certain kinds of music impossible.
22:44 me: there will come a time in the near future
when music will be played again
and not worked
Frederic: No doubt.
22:45 Nothing wrong with work.
Most people are happy to have it.
me: I'm happy to have work.
22:46 although I just said no to a gig on electric keyboard that paid 50 euros.
22:48 Frederic: Good.
22:50 me: did you write a piece for the 2013 queen elizabeth competition?
Frederic: Yes
22:51 me: I'm thinking I'll participate.
Frederic: That one I can't show to yu
me: that makes sense.
Frederic: I think it's a nice piece
22:52 It should separate the sheep from the goats, so to speak
me: nice.
22:53 I think I'll try three competitions next year and see if I can't win some big money.
Frederic: I know nothing about this competition. But I guess a lot of wellknown people participated in it.
22:54 me: all i know is that nowadays it's one of the best publicized competitions. which is useful.
Frederic: A strange guy Pierre-Alain Volondat won it about 15 years ago. Now he's doing boogie-woogie.
22:55 Messiaen is a strangz mixture of sophistication and shlock.
me: that sounds fun enough. maybe i'll be doing boogie-woogie in 15 years. some of it's great.
22:56 Frederic: Only if you win this competition.
me: my plan is to get 2nd price and the audience prize
that's the best outcome
22:57 Frederic: That makes sense
I guess you have to play a new concerto. I have no idea who is writing that.
Probably some Belgian academic.
me: I saw that. could be interesting.
or in that case, boring.
22:58 elliott carter wrote some kick-ass piano concertos which I didn't know.
Frederic: Interventions is powerful.
22:59 Messiaen sounds inspired by Gershwin
The ondes martenot makes everything sound like cartoon music
23:00 me: I have an interesting recording you should hear.
hold on:
23:02 go here http://www.charm.rhul.ac.uk/sound/sound_search.html
and then search 'Shewell, Lennington H' under artists
oh but i guess it's theremin, not ondes martenont. still interesting
23:06 Frederic: Can't find it
23:08 me: really?
weird.
anyway it's nice theremin music recorded in 1930.
23:09 Frederic: Signing off. I have to get away from this computer.
me: I don't blame you.
enjoy the count's hedges
see you on Saturday.
23:10 Frederic: Hasta luego
me: dulce suenos
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
18 November 2012 at 20:47
To: [email protected]
20:19 Frederic: How are you doing?
me: Hi Fred, fine, thanks. nothing special.
you?
Frederic: Trying to write a piano concerto.
20:20 me: How's that going? so your gig came through?!
Frederic: Yes. Now I have to do the work. It's not a very lively form. There have been a few good ones in the last 50 years, but not many.
20:21 me: I can imagine that it's hard to write good music for orchestra.
Should we attempt a video chat or do you feel like just typing?
20:22 Frederic: You can try. But there's something about "Plugin" that stymies me.
me: Bobby Mitchell is inviting you to use Google voice and video chat. Get started at http://www.google.com/chat/video
I've invited you to a hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/c5ae736f9488f06b998b7c3f2638f407c7c13813?hcb=1&hii=111739830878648841754&hit=1353266559097&htp=1&hmv=0
20:23 yeah I don't understand it that well myself.
well when are you performing this concerto? next june?
Frederic: This is what I get: Help home
We're sorry, but the information you've requested cannot be found. Please try searching or browsing the Help Center.
20:24 August.
me: I'm the worst person to explain this to you.
hmm August. Maybe I can come and listen.
Frederic: Have you ever been to the Proms?
me: No, actually.
20:25 Frederic: It's worth visiting. The Royal Albert Hall seats 6000 people, and it's often full.
me: That's quite impressive.
Frederic: So I'm writing with th sound of that space in mind.
20:26 me: If you get it right, it could sound really good in a space like that.
20:27 Frederic: But I don't know if I want to use the full orchestra. I think maybe a piano concerto shoul be fo small orchestra.
me: That's also what Mozart and Beethoven were thinking.
and those are pretty much the best piano concerti.
Frederic: Argerich in Schumann.
20:28 me: that's true, the Schumann concerti is brilliant.
I was practicing it today.
Frederic: Are you going to play it?
20:29 me: I think I'll play it with a string quartet on 13-Feb.
the orch part arranged for string quartet
Frederic: Who did that?
me: Jeremy Liu, an American pianist.
20:30 Frederic: Well, maybe. I think there's too much arranging going on.
me: yeah, I'm not sure yet if it's good.
20:31 Frederic: I will take a couple of minutes to attend to certain things
20:32 me: have fun
I will also go full up a glass with something.
20:36 Frederic: OK I'm back
20:38 me: Ok me too
Frederic: So. What's your favorie piano concerto of the lasr 50 yearts?
me: It's too about this damn video chat. Typing messages in a little box isn't quite the same.
20:39 I like John Adams' piano concerto quite alot. more than most of his other music.
although I think the slow movement is shitty.
Frederic: I don't think I've heard it. Good idea.
me: It's called 'century rolls', apparently inspired by the way old player pianos play.
20:40 Frederic: I listened to various things on Youtube. Pascal Dusapin & Sciarrino are interesting. An of course Carter's Interventios.
me: I also think the Ligeti piano concert is a wonderful piece, but extremely fucking hard to play.
I don't know who Pascal Dusapin is. Sciarrino, that must be interesting.
Frederic: I liked it alright, but not that much.
20:41 me: yeah, I know what you mean.
Frederic: Stockhausen's Kontra-punkte is a great piece.
20:42 me: I've never listened to it.
I'll listen to it now.
20:43 Frederic: I recorded it a long time ago (1964) with Maderna conducting, for RCA Italiana.
20:44 me: oh how interesting. is there a stil a copy of that somewhere?
Frederic: Don't know. Presumably the old LP exists somwhere.
20:45 On the other side I recorded Boulez' Flute Sonatine with Gazzelloni.
me: oh that's kind of a nice piece.
20:46 Frederic: It was easy with Severino. He would just whiz thru it and I would do the same. We came together at certain points.
me: I think that's the right way to make chamber music.
20:47 Frederic: I convinced Maderna to conduct it. It has these signs for conductor, so I said we had to have one.
me: The flute sonatina has markings for a conductor? I didn't know that.
Frederic: Take a look.
20:48 me: that's amusing.
20:49 boulez has the image of being a control freak.
but I think he relaxed a bit since the 90's.
Frederic: Nobody's perfect.
me: Do you know his piece 'Sur Incises'? I think it's remarkably good.
20:50 Frederic: He has written some good music. Did you ever play Structures for 2 pianos?
me: no, but i've heard it performed once or twice.
Frederic: There is something about the uncompromising austerity in Book 1 that is irresistible.
20:52 me: yeah I know what you mean
I enjoyed playing his piece 'Incises' for awhile
written in 1994 I think.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
18 November 2012 at 22:35
To: [email protected]
21:59 Frederic: I'm listening to th 2nd movt of Adams - seems pretty shitty to me
me: Yeah the 2nd mvmt is shitty
The first movement is better.
22:00 Frederic: Didn't like it
me: yeah maybe the whole thing is shitty. i liked it when I was a teenager
which probably means it's shitty.
Frederic: He's a sampling composer, doesn't tell me anything £I didn't already know
22:01 me: yeah, I see what you mean.
Frederic: I've turned it off, can't do two things at once.
22:02 me: It's probably better not to do two things at once.
maybe the piano concert is an archaic genre
22:03 Frederic: I hesitate to talk about it.
22:04 me: Yes, I can see why.
Frederic: Bad luck.
me: ahh, it could be worse.
I bet you will write a kick ass piano concerto.
22:05 the one from the 70's is good, but nobody plays it. I've been trying to organize a performance of it.
Frederic: How?
me: telling conductors that it exists and that I want to 'record it'.
but nobody has any money.
Frederic: But have you heard it?
22:06 me: well as far as I can tell, there's no readily available recording.
Frederic: That's true.
22:07 me: that's why i want to record it.
nobody buys recordings. I just want the gig, really.
22:08 Frederic: I have an old cassette somewhere of the first performance, at Dartmouth College.
22:09 I think orchestras balk at the middle section.
me: I'd like to hear it sometime.
I think orchestras would enjoy playing the middle part.
22:10 Frederic: I suppose times change. Old farts die, young ones take their place.
No one talks about "young farts". I see a lot of them.
22:11 me: still, there are alot of old farts in orchestras these days.
Yes, and alot of young farts.
more and more of them.
Frederic: That's one reason I'm thinking of using only half the orchestra, just those who don't hate the music.
22:12 me: so will you take a vote beforehand?
'Who already hates my music'?
22:13 Frederic: No, I would just ask the conductor, who knows his musicians.
me: I'm skeptical of that.
22:14 I don't think the conductor really knows the musicians well at all. How they play, perhaps
but not if they like their music. and what they are like as people.
22:15 Frederic: I don't know this conductor personally, but many of my friends like him. Ilan Volkov.
me: hmm, I don't know him. but if he's good, he's good.
22:17 Frederic: I can't say. Anyway, I would like to write something that might be played in different places.
22:18 me: you know what might be a good idea
use the same orchestration as other mozart or beethoven
and then orchestras which are already collected together to play one of those concerti can also play yours
22:20 Frederic: I've thought of that. But I wouldn't count on it. But my idea for a long time has been to write for Mendelssohn-size orchestra, since that seems to have been the standard before the whole thing went haywire.
22:21 This orchestra is 14-12-10-8-6, then 3 of everything.
But only 2 percussion.
me: That's a brilliant idea.
Frederic: What?
me: to use that size orchestra
22:22 Frederic: It's not very original!
me: it's not too classical but not too new.
exactly, that's why it's a brilliant idea.
nowadays orchestras have 8 horns and two contrabassoons and 18 percussionists
and that sounds shitty next to a piano soloist
Frederic: Exactly.
22:23 Also I don't have much time, so it makes sense to write mostly for solo piano.
me: Yes.
That's what they did back then as well.
the orchestra parts are pretty humdrum by themselves
22:25 Frederic: Well, enojugh talk. Talk less, work more.
me: Yes, good mantra.
22:26 I played through quite a few Chopin etudes today.
They are masterpieces.
22:28 Frederic: I guess that's true. I never got into them. I like the 4th Ballade, Barcarolle, and especially Berceuse.
me: those are all great pieces.
22:29 I never liked Chopin before. I think this is the first time.
by the way he writes for the piano, I have the sense that he and I play in similar ways.
22:32 Frederic: There is no technical reason why we can't hear recordings of Chopin's playing. Edison's gramophone could easily have been invented 100 years earlier. Mozart might have liked it.
me: Yes, that's all true.
but I wonder if it isn't better that we have to use our imagination
22:33 we have recordings of Bartok for example, but they don't turn me on all that much.
In general recordings are sort of boring.
Frederic: I agree. People should make their own music.
22:34 me: I think it's more fun that way.
I'm preparing myself for the post-recording age.
22:35 It could come sooner than we realize.
22:36 Frederic: We might have to go back to living in caves.
22:37 me: as long as my cave can fit a piano I'll generally be happy.
22:39 Frederic: I'll send you the link to the MEV concert in NYC last month. It's good.
22:40 me: Ok, i'll listen to it for sure.
Frederic: Signing off. I got hardly any sleep and am fading.
me: ok dulce suenos
22:41 bis bald
22:42 Frederic: Ciao
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
28 November 2012 at 21:55
To: [email protected]
20:13 me: Hi Fred. how are you?
27 minutes
20:41 Frederic: with you in a minute
20:43 me: no worries
51 minutes
21:34 Frederic: another 10 min?
21:35 me: it's ok. my internet connection here is slow.
I just wanted to see how you are.
talk another time.
21:36 Frederic: Just wait a few minutes please
me: ok. deal
15 minutes
21:51 Frederic: I'm back
21:52 me: where are you back from?
21:55 Frederic: I was talking to my daughter. Hold on another pmin
me: ok
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
11 December 2012 at 23:01
To: [email protected]
23:01 Frederic: How are you doing?
23:02 me: you can't hear me can you?
Frederic: no, I can try calling you
me: yes, please
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
25 December 2012 at 21:45
To: [email protected]
21:26 Frederic: Merry Xmas!
18 minutes
21:45 me: can you not hear me??
I can hear you.
Frederic: I heard the bell and clicked, but I don't hear anything.
21:46 me: That's a shame you can't hear me.
I can't explain it. I was just successfully video chatting with other friends
you still can't hear me?
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
31 December 2012 at 23:34
To: [email protected]
23:05 me: Dear Fred, Happy New Year!
23:12 Frederic: Same to you. Are you in Freiburg?
23:22 me: no I'm in basel partying with a few friends.
cheers and I'm sure we'll have a nice conversation soon
23:34 you can't hear me can you?
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
10 January 2013 at 23:48
To: [email protected]
23:48 Frederic: Whazzup?
me: notalot
you??
23:50 Frederic: I'm talking to daughter Esther
me: oh ok
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
18 January 2013 at 12:28
To: [email protected]
12:20 me: Hi Fred, how are you?
12:21 Did you find a chance to look in your attic for the orchestral parts to A Long Time Man?
Frederic: Thank you for reminding me. I'll get dressed and go upstairs to look.
12:22 me: OK, thanks alot.
I just got dressed myself.
Frederic: I often wonder, why bother, when it's just going to get dark again in a couple of hours.
12:23 me: I see your logic quite clearly here.
I've been listening to this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF4MDhDkhlc
12:24 Frederic: Sounds like any old piano player
12:25 me: I like the sound quality of these old player pianos.
12:26 Frederic: Hold on. Did you see the comment: "I presume that this is taken from the album 'Debussy plays Debussy' released on the dal segno label, in which case it is being played by Richard Buhlig. Only the first 7 pieces on that album are actually played by the composer himself."
me: Yes, I just read that. Now i'm reading about Richard Buhlig.
whoever played it, it sounds nice.
12:27 Frederic: I never likd Debussy. The made me play it when I was small. I hted everything about it, the paper, the printing.
12:28 I still don't lik it.
me: I also hated Debussy when I was younger.
well, who says you have to like it.
Frederic: It's a free country
12:29 me: In some ways, yes.
12:30 Frederic: I mean, you can hate Debussy and they will only punish you a little bit
12:31 me: Who will punish you for hating Debussy? Does anybody really care these days?
I think they will punish you more for hating Steve Reich or Lady Gaga
12:33 or Nico Muhly
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
31 January 2013 at 23:48
To: [email protected]
23:18 me: Can you hear me?
I guess not.
23:19 Frederic: No. Can we do this in sy half hour?
me: sure thing.
hasta pronto
28 minutes
23:48 me: hi freddy, I'm going to sleep just now. or read rubinstein
s biography for awhile
I need to close the computer. let's talk soon, hope you are well.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
5 April 2013 at 19:39
To: [email protected]
19:33 me: call again.
6 minutes
19:39 Frederic: You might want my cell number: +32493863306.
19:40 me: ok, thanks for that
Mine is +31614043360 but I don't see any reason why you'll need to call me.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Fri, 26 Apr 2013, 00:19
to me
me: Hi Fred, try calling again
Frederic: I am trying, doesn't seem to work.
me: I don't get it.
me: I can hear you though
me: yeah
me: but you can't hear me
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
13 August 2013
Bobby Mitchell - 18:59Hi Fred, let's talk again when this shit works
Frederic Rzewski - 18:59yeah, i'm around.
Bobby Mitchell - 19:01I was asking you about September because a friend of mine organized this festival where I am playing:
http://www.iequalsufestival.com/about.html
He wants you to come play as well, but we have no money. ha
Frederic Rzewski - 19:01hahaha
the ceiling in my studio fell down, so i have to deal with that. but mainly i have to write music.
the piano is apparently full of plaster now.
Bobby Mitchell - 19:03oh shit
that sounds kind of devastating
Frederic Rzewski - 19:03the its also wants $6000 for 2008.
irs i mean
Bobby Mitchell - 19:04oh they can go wank off
Frederic Rzewski - 19:04which reminds me i also have to masturbate
Bobby Mitchell - 19:04ok have fun then
i will write two emails and then start drinking a bottle of red
Frederic Rzewski - 19:05i mean in september
Bobby Mitchell - 19:05oh i see, you schedule far in advance then
Frederic Rzewski - 19:05i try ton think ahead
Bobby Mitchell - 19:06when it comes to wanking off, i try to live in the moment
Frederic Rzewski - 19:07your idea of a recording based on songs is a good one
you ought to sell it to german radio
Bobby Mitchell - 19:07that's a good idea
they would be into that
Frederic Rzewski - 19:07for that matter flemish radio
Bobby Mitchell - 19:07here's my idea right now. let me know what you think:
Schumann, Robert (1810 – 1856) – Gesänge der Frühe I (1854) (3')
Martin, Scherzinger (b. 1966) – Etude Miniature No. 2: The Horse is Not Mine, an Imitation Horse (2012, written for me) (2’30”)
cadenza?
Liszt, Franz (1811-1886) – Un sospiro, from trois études de concert (1845/59) (6')
Finnissy, Michael (b. 1946) – from Gershwin Arrangements: How long has this been going on? (3'30”)
Schumann, Robert – Gesänge der Frühe II (1854) (3')
cadenza?
Finnissy, Michael – from Gershwin Arrangements: They're writing songs of love but not for me (3'30”)
Schumann, Robert – Gesänge der Frühe III (1854) (3')
Schumann, Robert – Gesänge der Frühe IV (1854) (3')
Rzewski, Frederic (b. 1938) – War Songs (including improvisation) (ca. 17'30”)
Wagner, Richard (1813 – 1883) / arr. Liszt, Franz - Liebestod from Tristan and Isolde (6’)
Beethoven, Ludwig (1870 – 1828) – from Sonata Op. 111: Aria and variations (16’30”)
cadenza?
Schumann, Robert – Gesänge der Frühe V (1854) (3')
Frederic Rzewski - 19:08why only 3 minutes?
Bobby Mitchell - 19:08i split those up across the CD, that's just the first one which is 3 min
Frederic Rzewski - 19:14cadenza means improvisation?
Bobby Mitchell - 19:14yeah
those are flexible. I will see where they land and how they sound
Frederic Rzewski - 19:15you think beethoven is realy a song?
Bobby Mitchell - 19:16he calls it an 'aria'
Frederic Rzewski - 19:16I wonder if there are words
Bobby Mitchell - 19:16no sorry i mean 'arietta'
Frederic Rzewski - 19:16whatever that is
Bobby Mitchell - 19:16hmm
lebe wohl or something like that
who knows
Frederic Rzewski - 19:17that's the only thing that doesn't convince me
i don
i don't know the scherzinger of course
Bobby Mitchell - 19:18http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXTZ2nyjsFw
don't send that around please. Martin wants to wait and 'publish' it or something. so it's a 'closed link'
Frederic Rzewski - 19:24Esther says you move your head like a hortse
Bobby Mitchell - 19:24hahahaha
thanks esther, how flattering
Frederic Rzewski - 19:25Mo proble
*M
Means you're really getting into it !
Bobby Mitchell - 19:25I suppose that's what it means
make a recording of your cello viola piece when you perform it and send it to me
I'll go practice a little while longer, ciao ragazzi
Frederic Rzewski - 19:26Ciao :)
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
16 October 2013
Frederic Rzewski - 21:16call back in 15 min
Bobby Mitchell - 21:16ok, i have to go somewhere at around 9.30. We'll talk soon. I want to hear how it was in Athens. Cheers
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
21 October 2013
Bobby Mitchell - 16:23sorry Fred, i'm rehearsing now with somebody. read your message. yes i can come to brussels first
seey ou tomorrow
Frederic Rzewski - 16:23ok
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
30 October 2013
Bobby Mitchell - 22:02This doesn't seem to be working.
Frederic Rzewski - 22:08Well I dunno.
Bobby Mitchell - 22:08Me neither
I think this google hangout is a large crock of shit
Frederic Rzewski - 22:09Yes. Forget it. It makes you stupid.
Bobby Mitchell - 22:09Probably.
who are you with? is Esther still there?
Frederic Rzewski - 22:10Yes, also her cousin and a school friend. Thee giggling girls.
Bobby Mitchell - 22:10Haha.
sounds giddy
Frederic Rzewski - 22:11I just sent you a link. Do you know this pianist?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkbmgzzoRUQ
Bobby Mitchell - 22:11no I don't know her
but this is damn beautiful
Frederic Rzewski - 22:12Oh no, that's somrthing else. Look at your email.
Bobby Mitchell - 22:12[found it already and listening]
Frederic Rzewski - 22:12Mendelssohn/
Bobby Mitchell - 22:12She was born in 1916 and is still playing?
Frederic Rzewski - 22:13Apparently.
Bobby Mitchell - 22:13This is remarkable.
Frederic Rzewski - 22:14Eliane digs up these old pianists and sends them to me.
Bobby Mitchell - 22:14Who's Eliane?
I have some good old pianists I listen to regularly
Frederic Rzewski - 22:15Eliane Lust. She's a friend of Robert Satterlee. You know him?
Bobby Mitchell - 22:16I know of him. But I don't know Eliane.
Frederic Rzewski - 22:16You and Satterlee hve a great deal in common.
Bobby Mitchell - 22:17You have mentioned that to me once or twice before.
You mean more than just being homosexual?
Frederic Rzewski - 22:18He's done a cd of De Profundis, and another one with other pieces of mine, including the one I wrote for him, "Second Hand".
Bobby Mitchell - 22:18I heard his recording of 'second hand' once. You sent it to me
very nice.
Frederic Rzewski - 22:19Maybe "Third Hand" would have been a better title.
Bobby Mitchell - 22:19like the Third Man
Frederic Rzewski - 22:19Or maybe that's another piece!
Bobby Mitchell - 22:19I'll play the Third Hand!
Frederic Rzewski - 22:20There's a piece by Morton Feldman for piano 3 hands
Bobby Mitchell - 22:20Liszt called one of his techniques the 'third hand' technique - when the melody is in the middle of the keyboard and played by interlocking thumbs from both hands
oh nice
Frederic Rzewski - 22:20I thought Schumann invented that
My theory is that Schumann invented the cell phoe.
Because that's how you wrie text messags, with thumbs
Bobby Mitchell - 22:21interesting theory
so what text messages are schumann sending us from the grave?
Frederic Rzewski - 22:22messages in a language we haven't learnd yet
Bobby Mitchell - 22:22like this one:
omg ur gr8 @ the pian0
Frederic Rzewski - 22:23can u translate?
Bobby Mitchell - 22:23oh my goodness, you are great at playing the piano
Frederic Rzewski - 22:24so the zero at the end is a mistake?
Bobby Mitchell - 22:24who knows
schumann was a hilarious writer
Frederic Rzewski - 22:24i've never read anything
Bobby Mitchell - 22:25His Tagebücher are fun to read
some parts of them anyway
Frederic Rzewski - 22:25i've never been interested in lives of composers etc
heard a great piece on the radio, r strauss oboe concerto, indian summer, he wrote it for an american oboist
Bobby Mitchell - 22:27The concerto is called 'indian summer'? I didn't know that
R strauss is a fucking amazing composer
Frederic Rzewski - 22:28most implortant german composer of 20th century
Bobby Mitchell - 22:28No doubt
I have been listening to the 'Alpensymfonie' over and over these days
hold on, this is a good performance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZW9lJZKP4g
Frederic Rzewski - 22:31stockhausen was good, but not as good as strauss. "Vier Letzte Lieder" of 1949 trumps everything that came after it in German music
Bobby Mitchell - 22:32There are no words to describe the vier letzte Lieder
those pieces taught me awe and bewilderment as a teenager
I listened to them every day for a year once upon a time
actually everything I listen to by Strauss I become obsessive about: last year I saw Ariadne auf Naxos live
and could not stop thinking about it for weeks
Frederic Rzewski - 22:36one motherfucker
Bobby Mitchell - 22:37amen
Frederic Rzewski - 22:42He did of course laugh and kid around with Goebbels
a gross error on his part
like stockhausen saying 9/11 was the greatest artwork of all time
Bobby Mitchell - 22:43well those two scenarios aren't easily comparable
Frederic Rzewski - 22:44strauss is like heinrich mann's mephisto
Bobby Mitchell - 22:44strauss could have socialized with goebbels solely with the idea of own survival in mind
Frederic Rzewski - 22:44apparently he was like aaron copland trying to oganize the composers
he started th gema
Bobby Mitchell - 22:45who? strauss?
Frederic Rzewski - 22:45i believe it was largely his idea
probably a bad one
he should have just stuck to writing beautiful music
Bobby Mitchell - 22:46agreed
Frederic Rzewski - 22:47when composers and artists start mucking around with politics they make terrible mistakes
hitler and stalin were both artists, and not bad ones
if instead of training young soldiers we trained young musicians society would make a giant leap forwards
Bobby Mitchell - 22:52society doesn't seem capable of making a giant leap forwards
Frederic Rzewski - 22:54This is something that needs more experiment. It has made such leaps in the past, 10,000 years ago, with the invention of agriculture. Smaller revolutions have taken place, if in abortive forms.
Bobby Mitchell - 22:56I think there might be some added pressure with the end of fossil fuels - but i have no way of predicting in which direction things could go
Frederic Rzewski - 22:57Nobody does. We're absolutely on new unknown terrain here.
What is striking is the absence of broad general theories, like Marxism or Thatcherism.
Bobby Mitchell - 22:58maybe the era of theories was the unusual period in human history
nowadays we're just straight back to good old wild-west every man for himself-ism
Frederic Rzewski - 22:59There is the official culture, orchestrated by the media, and then there are movements like Occupy, but no organized opposition.
Bobby Mitchell - 22:59I think feudalism is really what we're talking about here
Frederic Rzewski - 23:00This is the danger, massive regression to a state like that of the Mediterranean at the time of the Odyssey, universal piracy.
Bobby Mitchell - 23:01I could easily see that happening
Frederic Rzewski - 23:01The Odyssey is about how tyranny, despite its negative aspects, is better than piracy.
Bobby Mitchell - 23:02Who is the tyrant? Odysseus?
Frederic Rzewski - 23:03Alkinoös, tyrant of the Phaeacians, who enjoy peace, are rich, and have advanced technology, ships that trtavel at fantastic speeds and bring Odysseus back to Ithaka in just one night.
Bobby Mitchell - 23:04I suppose it depends on the tyrant
Frederic Rzewski - 23:06But I do not believe society will flop back to archaic forms. I think the revolutionary idea is still strong; just not organized.
Bobby Mitchell - 23:06I would like to agree with you
but I sense an immense and contagious apathy from alot of people my age
Frederic Rzewski - 23:07You have to believe in something, don't you? I believe in revolution.
Bobby Mitchell - 23:07It's a good thing to believe in.
Frederic Rzewski - 23:08Whatever it is.
Rubinstein: Life, for better or for worse, without conditions.
Bobby Mitchell - 23:08I think I believe in living.
Frederic Rzewski - 23:09And how about music?
Bobby Mitchell - 23:09oh absolutely
although
music is not really something to 'believe in'.
it's more something to do.
Frederic Rzewski - 23:14just had a conversation zbout sex with the 3 girls
they said it was just old men talk
you can believe in it in the sense that you have a job to do
Bobby Mitchell - 23:16what is just old men talk? sex?
Yes, this is true. I like having a job to do
Frederic Rzewski - 23:17i'm having a good time writing for chorus, i feel like i am relearning things that i have forgotten
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkbmgzzoRUQ
like this stuff, this muisic must be really old
Bobby Mitchell - 23:19This is beautiful.
I play the Rossini 'messe petite solonelle' next weekend. Do you know it?
Frederic Rzewski - 23:23No
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
1 November 2013
Frederic Rzewski - 21:36Happy All Souls Day!
Bobby Mitchell - 23:53Thanks Fred, you too!
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
3 November 2013
Frederic Rzewski - 21:35Didyouwatchthis
Bobby Mitchell - 21:35no not yet
although it looks interesting
Frederic Rzewski - 23:06youstillthere
Bobby Mitchell - 23:06yeah i'm on the phone with eugene feygelson at the moment
how are you?
Frederic Rzewski - 23:07finecallmewhenuwant
Bobby Mitchell - 23:07ok
Frederic Rzewski - 23:12http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJXnYMl_SuA#t=42
Bobby Mitchell - 23:31I've seen this. sort of amusing.
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
6 November 2013
Bobby Mitchell - 13:37Aucune modification de la situation juridique du PRODUCTEUR ne pourra mettre fin au présent contrat, lequel se poursuivra pour la durée restant à courir entre L’ARTISTE et la personne morale ou physique qui pourra se trouver aux droits du PRODUCTEUR.
Hi Fred - I am planning to dispute this point in my recording contract, because of your advice
I have re-written it so, what do you think:
Frederic Rzewski - 13:37Whatadvie
What
advice
Bobby Mitchell - 13:38If Alpha / Outhere Music were to ever terminate business and dissolve the company, the ARTIST would inherit sole proprietary rights to the recording materials and would have sole jurisdiction over their distribution.
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
28 November 2013
Bobby Mitchell - 21:12http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v57cJC6broI
What do you think about this music? I love it, today
Frederic Rzewski - 21:12whatisthis
Bobby Mitchell - 21:13saint-saens piano concerto no 2, played by rubsintein when he was 88 years old
Frederic Rzewski - 22:25Mieczylaw
Horzowski
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
27 December 2013
Frederic Rzewski - 16:06Get any presents?
Not me.
Bobby Mitchell - 16:09no presents?
not even from esther?
I got a nice pair of shoes.
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
1 January 2014
Bobby Mitchell - 00:34am listening to your squares now, will phone when it's over
happy new year!
Frederic Rzewski - 00:35Idem
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
20 January 2014 at 00:54
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Do you know this guy Benjamin Hochman?
(I don't know who this "colleague" is, who calls me "Fred".)
Dear Ms. Freifeld,
I'm an old colleague of Frederic Rzewski and am pleased to tell him — via you -- that Benjamin Hochman will be performing his PEOPLE UNITED… at The Kennedy Center on February 1, 2014 (WPAS first presented it with Ursula Oppens — in a premiere). I don't know if Fred will be in the US at the time, or able to attend, but I wanted to at least make the inquiry! We'd love to do a post-performance conversations with him, if so.
Warm wishes,
Jenny
Jenny Bilfield
President & CEO
Washington Performing Arts Society
2000 L Street, NW, Suite 510
Washington, DC 20036
[email protected]
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
20 January 2014 at 11:24
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Hi Fred,
I don't know who this Benjamin Hochman nor who this Jenny Bilfield are. She seems like someone who might be worth getting to know.
Ashley Hribar and I spoke last night. he wants to come visit you in Brussels sometime in the near future. Did you talk to you about this?
Cheers
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
20 January 2014 at 13:01
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Ursula says he's one of the "current young stars".
She says the other one (my "colleague") is a " serious music presenter".
It made me think of you, since you were just in Washington and said there was nothing to do there. You could have been shmoozing up to this lady! Although I guess not, since it was Xmas and she was probably in Barbados...
I just read that the richest 85 people on the planet have as much $ as the poorest 3.5 billion.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
20 January 2014 at 14:52
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
I knew there were people to schmooze while I was in Washington! I just didn't know who. Next time I think I will just write Ursula and ask her who thinks is useful to meet - it seems like she knows who is important to contact in certain places.
All that money rich paper are hoarding is just toilet paper or numbers in a computer at the end of the day.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
20 January 2014 at 16:04
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
It's true that if they were to give it all away it wouldn't be worth anything. Money has value only because it's scarce.
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
21 January 2014
Frederic Rzewski - 21:09When do you work with Asko/Schönberg?
Bobby Mitchell - 21:52In 10 days or so
Feb 1 and 2
Frederic Rzewski - 21:53Maybe you can find out something about this concert next year with my piano concerto. The big problem for me is that they don't have enough strings.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:54I can do a little inquiring
I'm in the kitchen now about to eat
Frederic Rzewski - 21:54They seem to be basically a wind band with some solo strings.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:54When I'm at the computer we can do the real deal chat
I.e. with voice
Frederic Rzewski - 21:54OK go ahead.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:54That's pretty much true
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
18 March 2014
Frederic Rzewski - 20:06change of plan: I'm leaving 28th morning, back 30th evening
Bobby Mitchell - 20:07Hi Fred
Where are you going?
Frederic Rzewski - 20:07birmingham
Bobby Mitchell - 20:08For a concert?
Frederic Rzewski - 20:09esther's cincert
Bobby Mitchell - 20:09It's no problem. Did you tell ashley or should I let him know?
Frederic Rzewski - 20:09i told ashley
Bobby Mitchell - 20:09Oh nice. She will play viola?
Ok
Frederic Rzewski - 20:10no her piece for viola & piano is being played
Bobby Mitchell - 20:10Well I'll be at my computer by around 21.30 or so. I'm about to catch a train
Maybe we can talk then
Frederic Rzewski - 20:10ok
Bobby Mitchell - 20:10Oh that's nice.
Ok until then
Adios
The Flood
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
17 April 2014 at 20:29
To: Michael Sahl <[email protected]>
Bcc: [email protected]
I've written so much music I can't remember it all. I recently stumbled on this, which I had completely forgotten about:
http://imslp.org/wiki/The_Road_(Rzewski,_Frederic)#IMSLP154415
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
17 April 2014 at 22:18
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
We discussed this piece of music last week. Very impressive. I would like to play it sometime.
Who is Michael Sahl?
Fwd: Sara Davis Buechner plays Dvořák's Piano Concerto (live video)
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
15 May 2014 at 19:18
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
I used to know this pianist when I was living in New York. Then his name was David Buechner, now he's a woman.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Sara Davis Buechner <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, May 15, 2014 at 5:51 PM
Subject: Sara Davis Buechner plays Dvořák's Piano Concerto (live video)
To: Sara Davis Buechner <[email protected]>
Vancouver BC Canada
15 May 2014
Dear Friends:
Today I have uploaded a video to my YouTube Channel, of a live performance of the Piano Concerto in G minor op. 33 by Antonín Dvořák, from October 2013. The concert was presented by the Victoria Symphony under the baton of Maestro Bernhard Gueller.
The link is posted below the description, here. Later this year the video will be produced as a DVD.
This Concerto has especially warm connections for me, and I hope you enjoy it.
With best wishes,
xxx
Sara
- - - - -
Pianist Sara Davis Buechner performs Antonín Dvořák's Piano Concerto in G minor, opus 33 with the Victoria Symphony under the baton of Bernhard Gueller, live at the Royal Theatre in Victoria, B.C., Canada
(filmed on October 28, 2013).
Antonín Dvořák’s youthful Piano Concerto has received less attention than his beloved Concertos for Violin and Cello. It was prominently revived in the 1940s by Czech pianist Rudolf Firkušný, himself a friend of Dvořák’s son-in-law Josef Suk and pupil of Vilém Kurz (who extensively re-wrote sections of the piece, a source of some controversy). Sara Davis Buechner, who studied the work with Firkušný during her years as his Juilliard pupil from 1980 - 84, performs the work in its original version here.
http://youtu.be/SYW6fjvpuNw
Sara Davis Buechner・サラ・デイヴィス・ビュクナー
Tel (604) 685 6795 / E-mail: [email protected]
Sara Davis Buechner website: www.saradavisbuechner.com
Visit my new YouTube Channel! at www.YouTube.com/SaraDavisBuechner
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
16 May 2014 at 04:40
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
(S)he's not bad.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Sun, 1 Jun 2014, 21:44
to Frederic
how were your concerts in the USA?
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
2 June 2014
Frederic Rzewski - 16:37good!
Got back yesterday. Just got up now. Found letter from Eleanore who is serious about commissioning new piece. Fine, altho not sure I can do it in time for birthday...
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Mon, 2 Jun 2014, 22:27
to me
so maybe it could be done sometime in 2015, rather than by March 30?
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Thu, 5 Jun 2014, 11:20
to me
Review of NY concert
http://newyorkclassicalreview.com/2014/05/shoeless-fred-rzewski-shows-power-and-truth-at-roulette/
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Thu, 5 Jun 2014, 12:50
to Frederic
very nice review. well written.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Wed, 18 Jun 2014, 12:59
to me
What in god's name is this all about? I don't understand a word of it.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Orpheus Instituut <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, Jun 18, 2014 at 12:39 PM
Subject: Call for Proposals ORCiM Seminar 2014 'From Output to Impact'
To: [email protected]
CALL FOR PROPOSALS ORCiM Seminar 2014 FROM OUTPUT TO IMPACT 19-20 November 2014 Ghent, Belgium
The seventh International ORCiM Seminar, organised at the Orpheus Institute, offers the opportunity for contributors from around the world to gather and explore the theme of:
FROM OUTPUT TO IMPACT
The integration of artistic research results into musical training
The Orpheus Institute (Ghent), together with the Centre of Excellence in Music Performance Education (NAM, Oslo), wishes to explore the potential of this topic as part of a longer-term effort.
For the present seminar, the debate is framed in a wider perspective through the keynote by Prof. Dr. Dirk Van Damme, head of Innovation and Measuring Progress Division in the OECD Directorate for Education and Skills.
The seminar will take place at the Orpheus Institute in Ghent, Belgium on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 November 2014.
Proposals are welcomed from the global pool of interested experts, ranging from artist-teachers to artistic researchers, and from students to policy makers, in order to bring practices, concepts and innovation to the floor of a two-day conference.
Deadline for Proposals: August 25, 2014
Download the call through this link.
Send us your proposal through [email protected].
Visit the ORCiM Seminar 2014 event page through this link.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Wed, 18 Jun 2014, 13:11
to Frederic
I don't know, this institute language is starting to drive me crazy.
I have to be there so afterwards I'll tell you what it was all about.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Thu, 26 Jun 2014, 22:05
to Frederic
call you back in a few minutes
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Thu, 26 Jun 2014, 22:05
to Frederic
talking to my mother at the moment
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Thu, 26 Jun 2014, 22:27
to me
André de Groote
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Mon, 30 Jun 2014, 21:41
to me
When r u coming here exactly?
Ode to the Deserter
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
28 June 2014 at 19:21
To: [email protected]
This is the piece I wrote for the Brecht-Eisler Chor and several other similar groups in Belgium in connection with the centenary of World War I. It will be performed here in September.
It's on the 20th at 8 pm, and on the 21st at 2 pm and 6 pm.
There will be about 150 singers,
Instead of doing an event on heroism, patriotism, sacrifice, etc., this theater (Kaaitheater) chooses to celebrate desertion!
If you go on the website of the Kaaitheater there is a short video about it.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
30 June 2014 at 11:12
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
I'd like to be there in September. We'll see.
I just played War Songs in Berlin on Saturday on an old very out of tune but interesting piano. Noemi came to listen.
I'm coming to Brussels this next weekend. Will you be there?
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
30 June 2014 at 12:27
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Yes, I expect to be here. I'm staying put until I finish Igor's piece, after which I have to get wotk on the piano concerto again. But in any case I don't think I am going anywhere, unless I get depressed.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
30 June 2014 at 18:56
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
That sounds like a very reasonable schedule you're keeping. Then let's chat sometime this week before I come to Brussels. Hasta luego
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
30 June 2014 at 19:05
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
I'm on a roll, so I think I'll just keep writing until my left hand drops off. Of course it will take some days before I have any idea if it's any good or not.
Yesterday Noam's piece "Pétrin" (travail de fin d'études at his school) was spooky, like a vampire movie, or a Tibetan funeral, or some kind of franc-maçonnerie, or just kids playing at scary games. Very dark anyhow, sometimes completely so, everybody was standing, you couldn't tell if the person next to you was just a person or one of the actors, at times they were apparently crawling on the floor, slithering around brushing up against your legs like some kind of cat. There was some clanging of gongs and some Living Theater- style chanting, very little talking but in any case in some kind of incomprehensible muffled jabberwocky. A woman who had been wrapped in plastic in a coffin the whole time suddenly woke up at the end when somebody squeezed the white of an egg (and finally the yolk) out of a tube on her, genuinely disgusting, and then she gradually crawled out of the coffin into a paralyzed position on the floor and it was over. It seemed anticlimactic when the lights came on, the actors bowed properly and everybody applauded.
This made me think of a piece by Nam June Paik which I saw at Mary Bauermeister's studio in Cologne in June of 1960, a similar-sized space with maybe 50 or 60 people packed pretty closely. Paik had a motorcycle in front of the audience and turned it on, then turned the lights out and left. People waited for a few minutes to see what would happen, with the motorcycle chugging away belching smoke into the air (this was Germany,15 years after the war). When it became clear that nothing was going to happen, somebody fumbled around and found the light switch, then turned off the motorcycle and opened a window. Noam's piece had the same 60's avant-garde feeling to it, except for the ending...
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
1 July 2014 at 10:42
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Are there more performances of his piece? This is a very interesting description of it, and it sounds very dark indeed. Was the ending anticlimactic because of the piece or because of the applause and formal bowing?
I have no way of imaging what Germany was like 15 years after the war but I'm fascinated that current theater from young people reminds you of what some theater was like back then.
I'll come up and Sunday and spend the night before going to Ghent on Monday. Is that OK?
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
1 July 2014 at 12:25
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
See you on Sunday.
Democracy Now
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Fri, 4 Jul 2014, 21:00
to me
today's show is almost entirely devoted to Pete Seeger, I recommend it.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Fri, 4 Jul 2014, 23:46
to Frederic
thanks for sending this message. that was a very enjoyable hour.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Fri, 11 Jul 2014, 09:31
to Frederic
Hi Fred, do you have the score to your Lunapark piece scanned?
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Fri, 11 Jul 2014, 09:31
to Frederic
Someone is interested in pittsburgh
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Fri, 11 Jul 2014, 09:55
to me
3 Attachments
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Fri, 11 Jul 2014, 10:53
to Frederic
Hi Fred, these are either ghost files (who knows what that means) or shortcuts to the real files. They are each 1kb each so they don't contain the information I need.
Sorry for the trouble but if you can look again that would be helpful. Otherwise, I'll write Ralph. It would be a good excuse to contact him anyway.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Fri, 11 Jul 2014, 14:41
to me
I don't understand this. I can open it on my hard drive, but for some reason it won't go thru.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Fri, 11 Jul 2014, 14:44
to me
So I obviously need this myself. So if you reach Ralph ask him to send it to me and you both.
Also, as you can see there are no parts, because each band should make its own orchestration. Bu it would be useful to have a score and parts of the version that Lunapark made, since it seemed to work fine. Ask him if he could send that as well.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Fri, 11 Jul 2014, 15:42
to me
I think this should work. Let me know...
Fwd: Coming Together a Pittsburgh sara' suonato stasera
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Sun, 13 Jul 2014, 17:33
to me
Do you know this guy Ryan McMasters?
http://www.nonameplayers.org/index.php/our-2014-season/resounding-courage
http://www.showclix.com/event/3819914
it was on last week's City Paper short list:
http://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/short-list-july-3-10/Content?oid=1762354Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Sun, 13 Jul 2014, 19:55
to Frederic
I don't know the guy. Did you ask Federico if he knows him?
The people I know who work in Pittsburgh are all out-of-towners who come occupy the new music scene every July and then go home again.
war songs
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Sat, 19 Jul 2014, 12:19
to me
It's nice. Too bad the recording isn't so hot. There seems to be a lot of shuffling, maybe people going in and out?
Also I noticed there seem to be two kinds of dynamics, one (somewhat static) when you play the written stuff, then it seems to come alive in a different way when you improvise. This has a slightly schizoid effect. I suggest you try to apply the same or similar dynamic curve to both of these, so that it becomes harder to tell when you pass from one to the other. (Suppose, for example, that you are telling the story of Julius Caesar, some of which is documented and some of which you make up, but in a way that one can't know which is which.)
Finally, you seem to want to make it one continuous piece with no interruptions. I don't quite see the reason for this. There are, after all, cadences and double bars. I think it's good to leave breathing spaces so that one has a moment to think about what is going on. This must happen too in war, when suddenly there is a crazy moment when nothing is happening...
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Sun, 20 Jul 2014, 17:38
to Frederic
Interesting observations, especially regarding the dynamics, and I'll see what i can do with it on Tuesday for the concert in France. One of my neighbours came with his two year-old and they were walking around during the performance, which I thought was nice at the time, but doesn't make for the best recording.
Rubinstein in Berlin
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Mon, 21 Jul 2014, 19:42
to me
This fellow has made a number of versions of this piece. I keep telling him to take it back to the drawing-board. I think this is the best version so far. I would be interested to hear your opinion.
Greetings,
FR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgsODatknBo
Preview YouTube video Rubinstein in Berlin by Frederic Rzewski. Ashley Hribar - Piano
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Mon, 28 Jul 2014, 21:41
to Frederic
I think it's a pretty great performance. I enjoyed every minute. This is the second performance of Ashley's of this piece, I've seen.
I particularly like how he plays the Chopin parts.
Fwd: Invitation to Oct. 29 Symposium inspired by Marvin, "Reconstructing Beethoven's Improvisations"
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Thu, 28 Aug 2014, 21:20
to me
Do you know any of these people?
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Margaret Minsky" <[email protected]>
Date: 28 Aug 2014 00:21
Subject: Invitation to Oct. 29 Symposium inspired by Marvin, "Reconstructing Beethoven's Improvisations"
To: "Frederic Rzewski" <[email protected]>
Cc: "Cynthia Solomon" <[email protected]>
Dear Frederic,
It has been a while since I emailed with you about our republication project of Marvin's "Music, Mind, and Meaning".
It was a great gift to my father to receive your dedicated Toccata at that time.
We have had many consequent discussions over the past few months about improvisation, composition, Minsky, and the Mind.
One result is is an invitational one-day Symposium, that will take place this Oct 29.
Entitled "Reconstructing Beethoven's Improvisations" the intent is really a wide-ranging reclaiming of classical improvisation using Beethoven's work as a jumping-off point, in part because my father identifies with Beethoven so closely.
I do not know much about your travel schedule these days...if there is any way that you could join us for this invitational event, it would be a great joy for us.
We hope it will be a stimulating day of discussion and music-making.
Please let us know if there is any chance to see you then, and if not, if you will be traveling in the States anytime soon I am sure that my father would be delighted to have some time with you.
all the best,
Margaret Minsky
-------------------------------
Reconstructing Beethoven’s Improvisations is an invitational Symposium featuring expert presenters and an involved, participatory audience, who are equipped to reclaim classical improvisation by re-imagining and thinking about Beethoven's music as a focus.
The agenda of the workshop is to:
• understand the mind; in particular how improvisation informs us about music and mind.
• understand improvisation’s role in musical genius, journeyman music, and the roles and skills of musicians.
• reconstruct or reimagine Beethoven's improvisations, a skill for which he was known in both public and private settings.
• reconstruct or reimagine the relationship of Beethoven’s improvisation process to his composition process.
• discuss and play with ideas about improvisation, thinking, and learning.
Marvin Minsky’s ideas about thinking, his life in music as a classical improviser, and his paper “Music, Mind, and Meaning”, are inspirations for this symposium.
The perception of Beethoven in both music scholarship and popular conception is moving from caricatures of Beethoven as an angry, lonely genius toward a more nuanced view of Beethoven as a driven artist with a loyal collection of friends and active social life. Understanding of his mind and his music is enriched by this recent surge in interest. Some even take the view that he invented many of the 20th century's musical ideas (and then some!).
The Symposium will take place Oct 29, 2014. The venue will be the MIT Media Lab Complex, Amherst St, Cambridge, MA, USA.
A small (about 50) participatory audience of faculty, performers, and graduate students will be invited to attend.
Hosts:
• Prof. Tod Machover, Muriel R. Cooper Professor of Music and Media, MIT Media Lab
• Prof. Jonathan Berger, The Denning Family Provostial Professor in Music, Stanford University
Presenters:
• Jonathan Biss, Prof. Curtis Institute, Internationally acclaimed concert pianist, recording cycle of Beethoven Sonatas, successful Coursera MOOC on Beethoven Sonatas
• Noam Elkies, Chair, Harvard Math Dept. and Juilliard graduate
• Robert Levin, former chair, Harvard Music Dept., Internationally-known Pianist and Classical Improviser
• Marvin Minsky, MIT Professor, AI founder, Improviser
• Stephen Prutsman, San Francisco, Pianist and Improviser
• Jan Swafford, Prof of Composition Boston Conservatory, music biographer, author of "Beethoven: Anguish and Triumph"
Advisory Board:
• Jonathan Berger, The Denning Family Provostial Professor in Music, Stanford University
• Michael Hawley, EG Conference Leader, First Place Van Cliburn Competition, Explorer
• Tod Machover, Muriel R. Cooper Professor of Music and Media, MIT Media Lab
• Margaret Minsky, Multimedia Consultant
• Teresa Marrin Nakra, Associate Professor of Music,The College of New Jersey
• Cynthia Solomon, Educational Technology Consultant
• Tom Vignieri, Composer, Music Director of NPR’s “From the Top” Radio Show
This event is presented in collaboration with the MIT Media Lab and the Stanford MUSIC and the BRAIN Symposium.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Fri, 29 Aug 2014, 14:06
to Frederic
I've only heard of Jonathan Biss - sort of a boring seeming pianist - and of course Bob Levin.
Did they invite you to go to this??
I'll be in the USA that day actually but I don't know about these conference things. They can be extremely boring.
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
4 September 2014
Frederic Rzewski - 20:47Do you know a pianist named Matthew Weissman?
Bobby Mitchell - 20:48yes, I met him once.
He plays some of your music, I think.
Frederic Rzewski - 20:49He just called me.
Bobby Mitchell - 20:50what about?
Frederic Rzewski - 20:50He's doing some kind of dissertation.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:04oh, one of those.
well he did seem interesting on the phone?
this is a good performance I think:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqXLfANpCao
what video of il desertore do you mean?
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Mon, 15 Sept 2014, 15:28
to me
Look for "Sono un povero disertore".
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Tue, 16 Sept 2014, 18:06
to me
Came across this which might be interesting:
http://www.waltercosand.com/CosandScores/Composers%20A-D/Czerny,%20Carl/Anleitung_zum_Fantasieren_auf_dem_Pianoforte-Op.200.pdf
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Tue, 16 Sept 2014, 19:25
to Frederic
Hi Fred, I know this treatise on improvisation. It's sort of interesting, but not in the ways you would expect.
One person claimed this about it in Oxford last week: that Czerny wrote this treatise on improvisation explicitly because the art of improvising was dying out in concert life in the 1830's, and he wanted to codify how it was done. I find that very interesting.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Tue, 16 Sept 2014, 23:04
to me
SoyouknowthistextofCzerny
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
28 September 2014
Frederic Rzewski - 21:05Did you say you were coming here on Tuesday?
Bobby Mitchell - 21:06yes, is that OK?
Frederic Rzewski - 21:06Yes, what time?
Bobby Mitchell - 21:06my train should arrive at 17.30 so around 18, good with you?
Frederic Rzewski - 21:06Fine.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:07OK. what should I bring?
Frederic Rzewski - 21:07No matter.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:08OK.
Frederic Rzewski - 21:08Ideas.
I got an idea for opening the piano concerto today.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:08OK, I have a few of those up my sleeve.
oh yeah?
Frederic Rzewski - 21:10It goes: dum, dum-dum, dum-dum, dum-dum, m dumdumdum, and so on.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:10Maybe it will be more effective if you sing this to me on Tuesday.
Frederic Rzewski - 21:10The question is, will they pay me?
Bobby Mitchell - 21:11Didn't they already pay you half? I guess a lot can happen between now and the next half.
Frederic Rzewski - 21:12That was ok for a while. But now I have to pay Belgian taxes, a serious matter. And the Germans are silent as the grave.
This music business is a bummer. It was fine when wives and children didn't ask me for money. But now they do.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:14I can clearly see the problem.
Frederic Rzewski - 21:14I'm supposed to be famous and so rich.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:14I just don't know if I can think of a solution.
Frederic Rzewski - 21:14No, you don't have one. Just bring some booze.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:14Well you're certainly reputable but that doesn't mean people assume you are rich.
Oh I will definitely bring that. I have just the one under my piano.
I am feeling ill. I think I'll go either watch a movie or go unconscious.
Frederic Rzewski - 21:16I just came back from the cinematheque. Novecento by Bertolucci from 1973, a masterpice.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:16oh grazie, maybe i will find a way to watch it on my computer.
Frederic Rzewski - 21:16It's 6 hours long.
Really good music by Ennio Morricone.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:17well I might as well start now then.
Morricone was a motherfucker.
So did you watch all 6 hours today?
Frederic Rzewski - 21:17What do you mean "was"?
Bobby Mitchell - 21:18oh is he still alive? whoops.
Frederic Rzewski - 21:18No, 3 hours yesterday and the other half today.
The cinematheque is one of the best things about Brussels.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:18ok very nice.
where is it?
Frederic Rzewski - 21:19There are two locations.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:19where do you go?
Frederic Rzewski - 21:19Both of them.
One costs 3 uros, the other 5.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:20I almost went to the Kino tonight too but everything looks like bad hollywood dubbed in German.
Wow, that's brilliant.
Ok I'm going to disappear and watch this movie on my computer, hasta luego
Frederic Rzewski - 21:21I almost never go to the commercial cinemas. At the cinematheque I can see the great films of the last century.
They showed all of Fellini last month.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:21That's an unusual and quite a remarkable resource.
They only place I had access to something like that was in Rochester, NY.
Frederic Rzewski - 21:22Also they are shown in a real space with a real screen, not some kind of video.
tomorrow
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Thu, 2 Oct 2014, 00:35
to Frederic
Hi Fred, I would be happy if you felt like coming to listen tomorrow. Paulo is also excited by the idea that you might come.
The address of the Orpheus institute is 12 Korte Meer, Gent. Our show starts at 18:15, and at 17:30 they start pouring some sort of cava or something. Afterwards there is a nicely catered dinner so I also hope you would have time to join us for that.
It would be sort of risky to catch the 17:05 to Gent, but you might still make it on time. The or 16:26 or 16:29 from Brussels Midi might be better.
upon arriving in Gent, take the Tram 1 (destination Evergem) to the 'Korte Meer' stop and get out. Walk in the same direction the tram was going for 20 or 30 meters, and the institute is on your left side.
If you let me know before you leave home (via SMS or email) I'll let them know so someone will be ready to open the door and welcome you etc etc.
See you!
Bobby
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Thu, 2 Oct 2014, 15:18
to me
Hello Bobby,
I'm not going to make the Schumann bash tonight. With some difficulty I have managed to make an appointment to speak with Esther this evening, and I think I should keep it. Good luck.
John Cage told me you should always record your improvisations. Make sure somebody does it and gives you a copy. That way I can at least hear something...
Best, FR
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Thu, 2 Oct 2014, 15:58
to Frederic
Ok, no worries. I'll write more later. Hi to esther
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Fri, 3 Oct 2014, 16:00
to Frederic
Hi Fred,
I think you made a good decision not to come step inside this institute in Ghent. Better to stay at home.
You may have enjoyed our show, but who knows. I recorded my improvs and will send them to you soon.
Cheers, Bobby
I found this interesting, even inspiring
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Mon, 6 Oct 2014, 22:03
to Frederic
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/michael-brown-protesters-interrupt-st-louis-symphony-orchestra-concert/article_bfd2b377-8da4-56f8-aa8d-64bf714e0114.html
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Sun, 5 Oct 2014, 22:48
to me
I was trying and failing to buy a eurostar ticket.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Mon, 6 Oct 2014, 23:51
to me
There were 50 people demonstrating, all of whom bought a ticket. There weren't many people in the audience, so from the orchestra's viewpoint they made a difference. I wonder why they didn't stay for the music.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Tue, 7 Oct 2014, 00:01
to Frederic
I also don't understand why they didn't stay and listen.
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
7 October 2014
Frederic Rzewski - 10:04Maybe they weren't paying customers. Maybe they got in with the help of some musicians. How would management know if they paid or not?
Bobby Mitchell - 10:05I think that would be have been too complicated.
probably they had tickets and came in just like everyone else, i.e. they paid
Frederic Rzewski - 10:06doesn't make sense.
If they had paid, at least some of them would have stayed. Maybe they did. Non quadra, as th Italians say.
Some orchestra musicians were applauding.
Bobby Mitchell - 10:08etwas stimmt nicht.
Frederic Rzewski - 10:08I think it was an inside job.
Bobby Mitchell - 10:08yeah i saw that.
maybe so.
i suppose we'll never know.
Frederic Rzewski - 10:09I think it may catch on.
Opera houses are an abvious target.
That's where th rich gather`.
When the rich are caugh with their pans down, that's when the flash bulbs start popping.
Bobby Mitchell - 10:11yeah this could be the big catalyst
this could be the beginning of a serious revolution
Frederic Rzewski - 10:13I'm thinking of dedicating my piano conerto to the memory of Jacob George.
Bobby Mitchell - 10:15I think that's a nice idea
Beethoven Op 77 on imslp
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>Fri, 17 Oct 2014, 12:16
to me
Like an idiot, I can't figure out how to print it out. Can you send it to me as a pdf?
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Sun, 19 Oct 2014, 19:25
to Frederic
Hi Fred, am still in Bodio Lomnago, on the other side of the lake of Varese as Varese, and can't really find a way to send this to you as a .pdf. Try opening the file and when you try to print it, make sure your printing settings are something like "fit to page" - sometimes that helps.
Otherwise Im worse at using computers than my 83 year old grandmother. She has a sharp learning curve for the stuff.
Northern Italy has been lovely. We played a nice concert here last night.
See you soon I hope, cheers, B
did you end up going to
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Mon, 27 Oct 2014, 09:22
to Frederic
Boston?
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Mon, 27 Oct 2014, 09:52
to me
Yes, back Friday.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Mon, 27 Oct 2014, 09:56
to Frederic
bon voyage, I go there tomorrow and will be back in mid November.
Fwd: Jetky Trio ce 12/11 LIVE a Bxl
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Fri, 7 Nov 2014, 14:45
to me
Début du message transféré :
Expéditeur: Jan Rzewski <[email protected]>
Date: 6 novembre 2014 20:29:31 HNEC
Objet: Jetky Trio ce 12/11 LIVE a Bxl
A la gare de BXL congres, 19h30
Free
The Jetsky Trio
Pascal Rousseau, tuba basse
Jan Rzewski, soprano sax
Emmanuel Louis, guitare et electronics
Welcome !Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Fri, 7 Nov 2014, 23:41
to Frederic
Would love to come but I'll be in London playing a little show of my own that night. Annette is coming actually.
How was your trip to Boston?
I'm going to a concert at the Library of Congress tonight and will meet some of the mystery figures involved with this commission.
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Fri, 14 Nov 2014, 11:43
to me
I am reharsing Thursday until 4, home after that. When are you coming?
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Fri, 14 Nov 2014, 13:19
to Frederic
With whom are you rehearsing?
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Fri, 14 Nov 2014, 13:19
to Frederic
I will definitely be coming after 4, maybe not until the evening.
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Fri, 14 Nov 2014, 23:49
to me
Let's talk about it. I have an idea for your piece.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Fri, 14 Nov 2014, 23:51
to me
I8 am rehearsing fo the concert I am playing with Walter Hus on the 22nd (2 pianos).
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Sat, 15 Nov 2014, 12:38
to Frederic
I want to be there on the 22nd but I have a concert myself that day.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Sat, 15 Nov 2014, 12:38
to Frederic
See you on Thur
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
16 November 2014
Frederic Rzewski - 18:02What time? Noemi is coming too I think.``
Bobby Mitchell - 18:05I don't know what time yet.
probably not before 7PM
Frederic Rzewski - 18:05No, Stéphane Ginsburgh is playing "Dear Diary" on the 22nd. Walter & I are playing on the 24th.
Bobby Mitchell - 18:05It will be nice to see Noemi again.
oh I see.
Frederic Rzewski - 18:06Where is yr concert?
Bobby Mitchell - 18:06On the 22nd I play in Basel
On the 19th I will play in Ghent with a violinist friend of mine, Eugene Feygelson.
Can I bring him to dinner on Thursday night?
Frederic Rzewski - 18:07Sure. Gotta go now, bye.
Bobby Mitchell - 18:07ok see you Thur
ciao
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
25 November 2014
Bobby Mitchell - 22:02http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venice#mediaviewer/File:Venice09.jpg
Frederic Rzewski - 22:10COMMERZBANK
Bobby Mitchell - 22:10ABCDEFG12345
This
2 messages
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
4 December 2014 at 17:24
To: [email protected]
is one of the universities Esther is considering:
http://gu.com/p/43pzv/sbl
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
4 December 2014 at 23:33
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Maybe Esther can still change the world. She is pretty smart.
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
16 December 2014
Frederic Rzewski - 21:27sound has crapped out. what time are you coming here?
ok no connection. Just send me a message.
don't knowBobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Tue, 16 Dec 2014, 21:30
to Frederic
what happened. anyway I just arrived in ghent and I have to run now in order to have a beer with someone I know who plays your music who I studied with in rochester, ny - michael noble, a young guy and good pianist.
I'll see you tomorrow night, hopefully on the earlier side of dinner but it's hard to predict.
hopefully i'll arriveBobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Tue, 16 Dec 2014, 21:31
to Frederic
around 6 or 7PM at the latest, but it's hard to know at this point. I will let you know tomorrow.
happy new year
7 messages
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
1 January 2015 at 18:15
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Hi Fred, happy new year. How was Ursula's visit?
I just saw these paintings called Nocturnes by an American artist named Whistler. https://www.asia.si.edu/explore/american/musicalTitles.asp#0
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and auld lang syne?
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
1 January 2015 at 18:24
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Tha
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
1 January 2015 at 18:36
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Thank you. I don't know these paintings at all. I didn't know there were paintings in the Smithsonian. I just remember things like old typewriters.
Ursula and Jerry were here on Xmas day, plus Jan and his two kids, Nicole (Jan's mother), Noemi, Noam, and Stéphane Ginsburgh. Stéphane made the pasta sauce. Nothing particularly eventful happened. Jerry and Stéphane spent a great deal of the evening talking piano shop talk, mostly about pianists I've never heard of. I thought I knew something about this area, but obviously I'm wrong.
I think I've finished sketching your 3 nocturnes. They're called "Winter Nights". Of course now the real work begins. Composing is just fun. I might actually b able to send you a copy in a month or so.
On Thu, Jan 1, 2015 at 6:15 PM, Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]> wrote:
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
2 January 2015 at 16:10
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Dear Fred,
There is some interesting art in the Smithsonians although most of the good stuff is in the National Gallery of Art. The Freer/Sachler where I saw these Whistler nocturnes is not the most interesting museum. I went to the Air and Space and saw the Apollo 11 thing - it's hard to imagine that those things actually flew to the moon.
Christmas at your place sounds like it was fun. I'm sure I'm also clueless about the new and upcoming pianists of today. I hope you said hello to Ursula and Stéphane for me.
I'm pleased and eager to hear the three nocturnes - 'Winter Nights' seems like a very suitable title. If you can't finish the grunt work before the end of January, I'll be back in Belgium then so hopefully we can meet and you could play them for me.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
2 January 2015 at 16:11
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
PS Congrats on the Spotify record of the year. I hope that will help people listen to Corey's new CD. It seems like he has a good publicity team or something.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
2 January 2015 at 17:15
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
There's yet another of these Wunderkinder playing People United. Benjamin Hochman, have you heard of him?
As for the nocturnes, I thought I would send Eleanore Schonmaier the manuscript and ask her if she wants to spend some money to give it to you, do you mind? Then we can blow it on a good restaurant somewhere.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
2 January 2015 at 17:33
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
I think I've only heard of Benjamin Hochman because you mentioned him once. He won one of those huge prizes or something. I've never heard anything about him otherwise.
That's one of the most intelligent ideas I've ever heard. Absolutely you should send her the manuscript - and she had expressed interest in coming to one or another of my shows in Belgium this February, so that could be a great time to do the wining and dining.
Night One
6 messages
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
6 January 2015 at 16:43
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Your friend David Pylar wrote me yesterday. Are you going to see him again?
Now he wants this violinist Jennifer Koh. She's proably a good fiddler, but is she interested in my music? She wants the score already by this summer, which is impossible.
Why doesn't he hire you and a fiddler of your choosing? He seems to want a big name that will bring in the rich Washington ladies...
Attached the first of the 3 nocturnes, will send the others as they emerge.
Night One.pdf
2014K
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
7 January 2015 at 11:52
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Hi Fred,
I played through the Nocturne last night at what seemed like a very late hour, since I am seriously jet-lagged, and enjoyed myself. I think it might indeed have the ability to put someone to sleep. There are hard passages too, which I like! I have an addiction to practicing so that will give me something to sink my teeth into.
So I talked to David Plylar just once when I was back in America. He's hopeless for me. I'll never get this gig because he's afraid of charges of nepotism and I'm not in the category of 'famous classical musician', so sadly I don't see any hope for this at all. Which is a huge pity and I'm disappointed, but that doesn't help things.
But if you really think I should get the gig and pick a violinist of my choosing, then why don't you say that to him? I think that would be the only route towards persuading him.
I just got back to Freiburg last night. I was stuck in Iceland for a day which was a strange experience - like spending a day on the moon.
I'll be in Belgium at the end of the month. I hope we can meet then.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
7 January 2015 at 12:54
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Ursula says I have to do what they want, since they are paying for it. I think she means I have to do what she wants. She wants Jennifer Koh, which is fine with me. So maybe Ursula will play the piano, which is of course fine with me as well. All I really care about is getting a contract.
I'm going to Vienna on the 29th, back on the 4th.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
7 January 2015 at 17:24
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
I can well believe that he is worried about nepotism. He probably has enemies, as does anyone who has a job like that in that town, because if they have such a job, it is precisely because of nepotism. If he got the job through some Democrat, there must be a Republican who wants it. Probably somebody is returning a favor to his father. So forget it, chum!
But who knows how I got into this picture? I just hope I get out of it safe and sound...
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
7 January 2015 at 20:57
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Yeah, I should give up hope completely. For me it would be a home ball game which would be kind of fun. But they are clearly not interested and I've tried my very best to ensnare myself in this matter with no success. I didn't push it at all last time I saw my friend David so I have officially given up.
If you and he both get out of this safe, I will be very pleased. On the other hand, maybe something I've done or said will lose him his job and you the gig.
I can hopefully come over to Brussels on Sunday night the 25th before you go to Vienna.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
7 January 2015 at 21:15
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
That sounds good. By that time I should have this stuff copied and we can talk about it. When I say "copy" I mean "write". I may think I've written something, but until it actually exists it's just a dream.
I wouldn't get depressed over this Washington gig. After all, it's probably just a bunch of old rich ladies. I never even knew there was any music in Washington. MEV once played at the Wolf Trap festival, which is around the corner from the CIA.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Mon, 12 Jan 2015, 20:34
to me
Did you get the score?
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Tue, 13 Jan 2015, 00:39
to Frederic
I just got it now. am looking at it. very interesting.
Night 2
3 messages
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
12 January 2015 at 16:26
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Night 2.pdf
462K
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
13 January 2015 at 00:39
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Hi Fred, this looks very interesting and I'd love to get my hands on it right now but I'm afraid it will have to wait until tomorrow. I tried some of it on the clavichord but basically that was going nowhere.
Thanks a lot for sending and maybe we'll catch up soon.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
13 January 2015 at 15:38
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
This is extremely beautiful music. I am very touched by it right now after the first play through.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Sun, 8 Feb 2015, 09:37
to me
Time to pack up and head for Pittsburgh.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Sun, 8 Feb 2015, 11:19
to Frederic
already?
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Sun, 8 Feb 2015, 17:09
to Frederic
what was the last straw?
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
12 February 2015
Bobby Mitchell - 11:36can you send me Igor Levit's email address?
I just wrote him an email and it says 'this email address is no longer in use'
Frederic Rzewski - 11:47[email protected]
Bobby Mitchell - 11:49Thanks
Re: An idea...Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Wed, 11 Feb 2015, 19:44
to: me
This story somehow grabs me.
From the Telegraph:
Anne Naysmith, pianist - obituaryFormer concert pianist who worked with Sir Adrian Boult and ended her life living rough on the streets of West London
Anne Naysmith, who has died aged about 77, enjoyed a promising career as a pianist in the 1960s but latterly achieved notoriety as “the car lady of Chiswick”, a dishevelled and familiar sight to commuters in west London; she lived first in her dilapidated old blue Ford Consul and then in bushes by an Underground station.
Her concert career took her to the Wigmore Hall in 1967, where a critic noted that in her performance of Rachmaninov’s Preludes Op 23 she “blossomed most fully as an artist and drew some of the warmest and richest sonorities from her piano”. There were appearances at Leighton House in Holland Park, St Martin-in-the-Fields, St James’s Piccadilly, and venues in the Home Counties. She is said to have performed under the conductor Sir Adrian Boult.
However, after being evicted at the age of 39 from her home in Prebend Gardens, a pretty street of Victorian villas in Chiswick, Annie, as she was known locally, spent 26 years sleeping in her car. When that was towed away, she declined the offer of social housing, preferring a makeshift shelter by Stamford Brook Underground station, tending her plants and shrubs. That too was removed in August 2012 by Transport for London contractors, leaving her distraught.
Contempt for the world
Some commentators drew parallels with Miss Shepherd, the musician who lived in a van on the driveway of Alan Bennett’s home in Camden and was immortalised in his play The Lady in the Van (1999). Others saw a link to Diogenes the Cynic, the Greek philosopher who showed his contempt for the material world by sleeping in a large ceramic jar or barrel.
She was born Anne Smith at Southend-on-Sea in 1937, adding the “Nay” in later life. Her father, an Army officer of whom she had no memory, failed to return home from leave one day. In due course her Russian mother, Marie, who desperately wanted a high-profile musical career for her daughter, moved them to Hounslow, west London. They became estranged and Anne lived briefly with her aunt “Tutts” in Devon.
Studying with Harold Craxton
By the age of 18 Anne had won a place at the Royal Academy of Music, studying with Harold Craxton and Liza Fuchsova. She rented a room in Chiswick, which she soon upgraded to a house, and began teaching piano at the Marist convent school in Sunninghill, Berkshire. Later she worked at Trinity College of Music, quickly saving the £800 cost of her car.
By the early 1960s Anne was making a respectable if not spectacular career in music, but within a decade her life fell apart. Her performing career never fulfilled its early promise; she withdrew from teaching for reasons that were never explained; and an intense affair with “a handsome 6ft 5in choral singer” disintegrated.
Her eviction was, she believed, an injustice. By way of protest she began sleeping in her car – apparently her sole remaining possession of substance – insisting to anyone who came near that she should be allowed back into her former home.
Anne Naysmith’s plight divided local residents, some of whom feared for the value of their homes, and in 2002 the Ford Consul was towed away. Others felt protective of their eccentric neighbour and provided her with a replacement – a Mercedes estate – but it was vandalised almost immediately.
Sometimes she would sit in on local court cases. On other days she could be found in the Barbican music library, examining scores or engaging in spirited and intelligent conversation about music and musicians; or she would chat with prommers outside the Albert Hall. On other occasions she would feed the pigeons and tend to the vegetation in her car-park home. Until recently she attended evensong at St Nicholas Church, Chiswick, her singing notable for its clarity and beauty.
Ghosting Rachmaninov
She was also a regular fixture at Chiswick cricket club, where she devised her own complex scoring system. Some thought that her fingers might be ghosting Rachmaninov during the bowler’s run-up. Whether or not they were, she applauded between balls, called out “good over” when appropriate, and engaged with her fellow spectators in informed discussion about the match’s progress.
Her ablutions were done in public lavatories or at a doctor’s surgery, and she washed her tattered clothes at a petrol station with a hose pipe, wrapping them in old newspapers to dry. She collected pigeon feathers, tying them round her feet with carrier bags to keep warm, and cooked on an open fire, giving her homemade tomato chutney to regular passers-by.
Media interest
After her third eviction in 2012 Anne Naysmith became something of a minor celebrity, featuring in profiles on blog sites, in newspapers and on BBC television. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph she told how being a professional pianist had killed her love of music. “I suppose I just wanted to practise for enjoyment instead of for a concert,” she said. Yet she insisted that she would have had no trouble picking it up again. “I haven’t touched a piano seriously for over 30 years,” she reflected. “But it’s like learning to swim: if I did it for two weeks I could rush out a few things quite quickly.”
From time to time there were attempts to help her off the streets, by both official agencies and well-meaning music-lovers. Most were politely declined: if she could not return to Prebend Gardens she would remain in her car. Others were rebuffed more ferociously. Mostly, as Steven Morris noted in The Guardian, she remained fiercely independent, proud and dignified.
Anne Naysmith, who died after being hit by a lorry in Chiswick High Road, never married.
Anne Naysmith, born 1937, died February 10, 2015
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
12 Feb 2015, 11:27
to Frederic
This is not just purely depressing like I expected such a story to be. This lady sounds like she led an interesting life. I would have liked to have met her.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
12 Feb 2015, 12:04
to me
No, there is a tragic love story there somewhere. I sent this to Annette, thinking she might find it interesting, but this was a mistake. She became furious and hurled lightningbolts at me for being "negative".
And this is interesting:
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph she told how being a professional pianist had killed her love of music. “I suppose I just wanted to practise for enjoyment instead of for a concert,” she said. Yet she insisted that she would have had no trouble picking it up again. “I haven’t touched a piano seriously for over 30 years,” she reflected. “But it’s like learning to swim: if I did it for two weeks I could rush out a few things quite quickly.”
timing for different parts of the Road
6 messages
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
22 February 2015 at 08:13
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Hi Fred,
How long is each part of the Road in terms of playing time?
Very nice video with Daan, I enjoyed it immensely!
Bobby
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
22 February 2015 at 10:02
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Parts I-IV maybe 2 hours
Part V 1 hour
Part VI idem
Part VII ca. 100 min
Part VIII possibly 2 to 2 1/2 hours
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
22 February 2015 at 17:06
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Thank you, that's very useful information.
I just performed The Flood (in between the two Haydn pieces you heard me play on Thursday night) today in this village concert. It went extremely well.
I didn't remind you I was doing this on Thursday because I was planning to cancel, because I didn't feel prepared. But I practiced all weekend (while stuck in this huge house in the countryside) and I think it was a great performance. Anyway the audience liked it, whatever that means. I don't think it was recorded unfortunately.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
22 February 2015 at 17:18
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Did you sing the Shelley song?
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
22 February 2015 at 17:19
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Yes. It's a good song. People told me I wouldn't win the Queen Elizabeth for singing, but I took that as a compliment.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
22 February 2015 at 17:29
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Some people asked why you didn't come to listen and I so I reminded them that the place where I played is impossible to get to.
try this link
2 messages
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
10 March 2015 at 18:20
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
http://www.radio4.nl/zoeken/%22Frederic%20Rzewski%22 and then click on luister concert
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
10 March 2015 at 18:29
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
I did what you said but then nothing happens.
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
22 March 2015
Frederic Rzewski - 18:50I can't get any sound out of this, can you?
https://ftp99n2.wdr.de/download.php?id=2e7ea8c46874cbc0c6111fd545b68f3e
Bobby Mitchell - 18:51Yes, that link sent me straight to a file to download
and I downloaded it and yes I hear sound
Frederic Rzewski - 18:51I alsop downloaded it, but I can't get it to do anything. Does that mean I have to buy a new computer?
Bobby Mitchell - 18:52I don't know what it means
is your volume turned all the way down?
I think we are both overdue on our tax to Apple
Frederic Rzewski - 18:52No, it's all the way up.
Bobby Mitchell - 18:53then.... this problem lies outside the realm of my expertise.
Frederic Rzewski - 18:53=a bug help you are.
Bobby Mitchell - 18:54I could give you some good fingerings for the Chopin 3rd sonata if you'd like
but with this, I can't help you
Re: A pile of ...
2 messages
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
30 March 2015 at 13:37
To: Esther Rzewski <[email protected]>, Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
BTw,
I made this scan of "Il Babbo", which I guess you probably have.
This is a very nice piece, I would like to find a good ocasion to play it!
Il Babbo.pdf
1359K
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
31 March 2015 at 16:29
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Cc: Esther Rzewski <[email protected]>, jan rzewski <[email protected]>
Esther, I just played through your piece and I also think it's very nice. It captures your father's personality and is a nice hommage to him. Keep writing music!
Fred, I just arranged everything so that I'll arrive on Heidelberg on Saturday afternoon the 11th and will leave on Sunday night the 12th after Igor plays 'Dreams 5-8' and before he plays the Goldbergs, in order to catch the last train to Freiburg. I'm staying in a hotel near yours on Saturday night (yours was already sold out).
Looking forward!
Bobby
winter nights two questions
2 messages
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
2 April 2015 at 15:32
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Hi Fred,
On the last page of the third winter night, third stave, second bar, is that a grace note B followed by a trill with main note A? Should the trill consist of a and b or a and Bb? it's hard to read there.
And just to confirm: 5th stave on that same page, end of second bar, that chord consists of G, C, and E, right?
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
2 April 2015 at 15:37
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
B natural, seems very clear to me. Yes, g c e.
how's heidelberg?
2 messages
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
9 April 2015 at 08:34
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Hi Fred, are you having a nice time? How are the performances?
If all goes well, I will arrive on Saturday around 3PM at the main train station and then go check in my hotel. Are you reachable on your mobile phone?
See you soon,
Bobby
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
10 April 2015 at 12:15
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
+32 465874790.
Not sure of schedule, maybe rehearsing for concert at 6.
happy birthday
5 messages
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
13 April 2015 at 12:55
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Here is some birthday reading for you:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30937492
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
13 April 2015 at 19:11
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Thanks! Still here, so all is well...
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
13 April 2015 at 20:15
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Did you take first class?
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
13 April 2015 at 21:34
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
No
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
14 April 2015 at 01:35
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Anyway it's not that much better
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
26 April 2015
Frederic Rzewski - 23:34Howdy
Bobby Mitchell - 23:34Howdy partner
Frederic Rzewski - 23:35So you are alive?
Bobby Mitchell - 23:35why doesn't this chat thing work?
me, yes, why?
Frederic Rzewski - 23:35What do you mean?
Bobby Mitchell - 23:35i can't call you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLQKHnkyseI
well it was fun while it lasted
Frederic Rzewski - 23:53I don't understand anything.
Frederic Rzewski - 00:54You did not send me the link.
Bobby Mitchell - 00:56really?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLQKHnkyseI
sorry for my delayed reply, I just went and took a nice long piss
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
29 April 2015
Bobby Mitchell - 09:58Hi Fred, my plans have changed a little bit
can I come through and crash with you on Sunday night?
(before I have to go to Ghent on Monday)
Frederic Rzewski - 09:59Certainly
Bobby Mitchell - 10:01Great, see you then
Tomorrow
2 messages
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
2 May 2015 at 17:06
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
I will arrive at 13:35 at the station. What are you doing? I'll come to your place after that I guess, and I opened my big mouth to ask Stephane Ginsburgh what he's doing tomorrow afternoon and now I might have to help him move some furniture or something.
I'm looking forward to playing in the Philharmonie tonight. There are big posters of you here.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
2 May 2015 at 17:21
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Physical work ennobles!
If I'm not at home you can call my cellphone. But I probably will be. I could come and meet you & Stéphane for a beer after you've finished your workout...
Fwd: I'm Still Here
3 messages
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
14 May 2015 at 18:28
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Tony de Mare's recording of my "arrangement" of the Stephen Sondheim tune.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: ANTHONY DE MARE <[email protected]>
Date: Tue, May 12, 2015 at 10:23 PM
Subject: I'm Still Here
To: [email protected]
A file has been sent to youfrom [email protected] via Hightail.
Hi Frederic,
Here is the final edit of "I'm Still Here". Reminder that it hasn't been mastered yet.
Enjoy!
Tony
De Mare 3rd edit Rzewski.wav
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
14 May 2015 at 19:19
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
this is extremely beautiful.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
14 May 2015 at 22:45
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Here's the score.
I'm Still Here.pdf
2571K
Re: Yesterday's concert
2 messages
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
17 May 2015 at 19:09
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Whatdo you think of this? Beethoven begins about 30 min in
On Sat, May 16, 2015 at 12:32 PM, Igor Levit <[email protected]> wrote:
http://www.br.de/radio/br-klassik/sendungen/br-symphonieorchester/2015-konzert-on-demand-so-bringuier-levit100.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitterBobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
17 May 2015 at 22:41
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
I just started listening to it. It sounds like any other pianist who plays this piece nowadays.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Mon, 18 May 2015, 16:48
to me
Jan & Pascal the tuba player are performing Friday eve.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Mon, 18 May 2015, 21:49
to me
they start at 8. can you be here earliert?
Fwd: Magic Duo (Rzewski-Rousseau) 22-5
3 messages
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
18 May 2015 at 10:48
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rzewski Jan <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, May 18, 2015 at 10:25 AM
Subject: Magic Duo (Rzewski-Rousseau) 22-5
FREE!!Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
19 May 2015 at 10:41
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
I'll be there! Yes, I can come to your house before their show, probably by 6:30 or 7:00 at the latest.
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
5 June 2015
Frederic Rzewski - 22:30what's new bro?
Bobby Mitchell - 01:19Not much, I'm spending most of my afternoons with you
Dreams or I'm still here or the old stuff like cotton mill
Talk soon
(no subject)
2 messages
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
6 June 2015 at 20:31
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
what do you think about this article?
http://www.salon.com/2015/06/04/we_are_in_a_revolutionary_moment_chris_hedges_explains_why_an_uprising_is_coming_%E2%80%94_and_soon/
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
6 June 2015 at 21:50
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
I agree with most of what he says, especially when he says that we don't know much. But I am convinced, not only that revolution is inevitable, but that it has already begun. But it's clear that it's going to be messy, because there is no organization.
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
7 June 2015
Frederic Rzewski - 23:23Give me a second, I'll go on the other computer.
Bobby Mitchell - 23:23okedoke
take your time
Frederic Rzewski - 23:27The other computer seems to be dead. Noam was using it. Can I call you back in half an hour?
Bobby Mitchell - 23:27sure thing, i'll be here
Frederic Rzewski - 23:27OK
Bobby Mitchell - 23:27if i'm not asleep by then
but i doubt it
Frederic Rzewski - 00:24I only liberated myself now.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Mon, 8 Jun 2015, 09:14
to Frederic
I was in bed by then...we'll do it soon
Do you know this guy?
7 messages
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
12 June 2015 at 23:23
To: [email protected]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV9S0h_Gg-k
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
12 June 2015 at 23:28
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
no never heard of him, but he certainly knows how to play the piano
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
13 June 2015 at 07:42
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
This was the semifinal of the Reine Eliksabeth 2013
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
13 June 2015 at 09:38
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
He can play the piano but somehow I also get the feeling that he's missed the whole point of the piece. It's too smooth or something.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
13 June 2015 at 10:03
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
He's not really dreaming...
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
13 June 2015 at 10:04
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Lust Eliane <[email protected]>
Date: Sat, Jun 13, 2015 at 9:35 AM
Subject: Re: Do you know this guy?
To: Rzewski Frederic <[email protected]>
Why yes, he is my husband!
ELIANE
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
13 June 2015 at 12:35
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
That pianist is Eliane's husband?? Is she sure?
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
14 June 2015
Bobby Mitchell - 21:53Hi Fred
I'm trying to call you but it's not working.
it says something like:
e're sorry but this product does not support your browser at this time.
Please install or use one of the browsers listed below. Thanks!
Chrome 37+Internet Explorer 9 (32-bit) or 10+Firefox 36+Safari 6+
how are you?
Frederic Rzewski - 21:54I'm talking to Noemi, I'll call you when we're done.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:54OK
Bobby Mitchell - 22:24fuck it's not working
it says i have to update my fucking browser
Frederic Rzewski - 22:25what are you trying to do?
Bobby Mitchell - 22:26i'm trying to answer your phone call
but instead it says this to me:
We're sorry but this product does not support your browser at this time.
Please install or use one of the browsers listed below. Thanks!
Chrome 37+Internet Explorer 9 (32-bit) or 10+Firefox 36+Safari 6+
Frederic Rzewski - 22:30Well, I don't understand
Bobby Mitchell - 22:30they won't let me answer your phone call
i also don't understand
it says my 'browser' is too old
Frederic Rzewski - 22:30If you give me an ordinary phone number I will call you
Bobby Mitchell - 22:31+497617669513
but that costs money
Frederic Rzewski - 22:32£1 US cent per minute
1 cent that is
Bobby Mitchell - 22:32oh that's pretty damn cheap
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
16 June 2015
Bobby Mitchell - 23:39We're sorry but this product does not support your browser at this time.
Please install or use one of the browsers listed below. Thanks!
Chrome 37+Internet Explorer 9 (32-bit) or 10+Firefox 36+Safari 6+
it doesn't work anymore. I have to buy a new computer
Frederic Rzewski - 23:42OK, another time then.
Look what I found
6 messages
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
16 June 2015 at 18:05
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
by chance on YouTube: my setting of the Declaration of Independence from 1970, which Carol Plantamura and I recorded in San Diego around 1980:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eCRX4_lkHI
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
16 June 2015 at 23:06
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
I've heard this before many times but I have the feeling just now that I heard it for the first time.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
16 June 2015 at 23:31
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
It has been a very long time since I have played this, but I do remember that it is one of the most difficult things I have ever played.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
16 June 2015 at 23:33
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
it sounds extremely difficult but also worth the effort.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
16 June 2015 at 23:36
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
You can only know that after you've done it...
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
23 June 2015
Frederic Rzewski - 22:44Are you really online?
Bobby Mitchell - 22:54yes but i don't think i can call you
my computer is too old or something
Frederic Rzewski - 22:54Very strange. One computer says you are there, the other says you are not there. Do you really exist?
Bobby Mitchell - 22:55well I don't know
according to descartes I only exist if I think
do you exist?
Bobby Mitchell - 23:36Hey Fred this video shit no longer works on my 'puter
it's hopeless, it's time for me to retire
and i'm not at home since we can't use my land line
Frederic Rzewski - 23:38OK, no matter, we should probably al be looking at our bellybuttons anyway.
Bobby Mitchell - 23:40yeah that's actually what I was doing when you called me
i'm meeting noemi tomorrow and then playing tomorrow night on a piano that apparently is totally decrepid
Frederic Rzewski - 23:44Those pianos are the best ones.
Bobby Mitchell - 23:48true
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
27 June 2015
Bobby Mitchell - 13:42I don't think it's gonna work on my old piece of garbage computer
i'm playing some of your stuff tnght in hannover
then i'll be home late monday night, let's do the land line thing next week
you go to Italy on 1st July right?
Frederic Rzewski - 13:43right
regards to ashley
Bobby Mitchell - 13:44i'll get you on the phone on tues evening
i will let him know!
Frederic Rzewski - 13:44ok, hasta luego
Bobby Mitchell - 13:44ok, keep your pecker up
isn't that what annette says?
Frederic Rzewski - 13:44yes, english humor
Bobby Mitchell - 13:45lovely
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
29 June 2015
Bobby Mitchell - 23:09Hey Fred
Frederic Rzewski - 23:37I'm talking to Nicole in Rome
Bobby Mitchell - 23:37ok
write again when you're done talking
Frederic Rzewski - 23:53ok
r u online?
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Tue, 30 Jun 2015, 09:30
to Frederic
sorry i passed out
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
30 June 2015
Bobby Mitchell - 18:23Hey Fred, I don't have a cheap way of calling you
Can you call +497617669513 sometime tonight? It should cost you like 1 cent a minute
Frederic Rzewski - 19:00Just tried but you seem to be out. Give a hoot when you're back.
Bobby Mitchell - 19:02hey fred
can you call again? i was outside
just cal when you're ready, i'll carry the phone around with me so i don't miss your call
Frederic Rzewski - 19:23Just tried again, niema.
Bobby Mitchell - 19:26Hey Fred
are you at the computer?
I can't do this landline shit either
the phone was in my pocket and it didn't ring for some reason
Frederic Rzewski - 19:26Yes. Shd I try again?
Bobby Mitchell - 19:26anyway try again now, if you're free, and I will try my very best to answer
yes please
Fwd: Piano Sonata
2 messages
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
27 June 2015 at 11:38
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Cosa ne pensi?
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Benny Gambino <[email protected]>
Date: 2015-06-27 0:42 GMT+02:00
Subject: Piano Sonata
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Salve, eccovi una mia nuova performance del II e III movimento della vostra sonata, purtroppo per ragioni di minutaggio non ho potuto eseguire il I movimento.
Spero sia di gradimento...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9M8ieK276I&feature=youtu.be
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
1 July 2015 at 10:27
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
He's very good and I'm impressed that he can play this music from memory.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
10 May 2011 at 13:32
To: [email protected]
13:29 me: I can't really hear you at the moment.
13:31 Frederic: Why don't we do this another time?
13:32 me: Ok, that's fine with me. I'd like to chat but the connection is bad. And I'm supposed to catch a train in 20 minutes
Frederic: OK, later!
me: i'll call soon!
Frederic: Bye
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
22 May 2011 at 00:31
To: [email protected]
23:30 Frederic: What's up?
me: I just wanted to ask one question. maybe it's not the right moment?
23:31 Frederic: No, it's fine. Isn't the video working?
me: I just can't hear if you're talking or not
but I can hear you typing
I don't understand why you can't hear me
23:32 what the fuck is wrong with my computer?
59 minutes
00:31 me: mathias osterwolt
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
21 June 2011 at 00:51
To: [email protected]
00:51 me: Did you know Julius Eastman? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2XtFZMpwm0&feature=related
00:52 Frederic: Yes I knew him quite well.
00:53 me: Where and when did you meet him? I'll play 'Crazy Nigger' in August, in Holland.
00:54 Frederic: Buffalo, 1966.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
2 November 2011 at 13:38
To: [email protected]
13:22 me: ok
13:26 Frederic: now you have disappeared. What's up?
13:27 me: ok
13:28 ? it's not working is it?
13:30 Frederic: i can't seem to be able to call you bnck, you are "offline".
no sound
me: sorry, I don't know why there's no sound
I can't figure it out
13:31 Sorry Fred. I think my computer is falling apart.
I can't figure out why there's no sound
Frederic: well we all fall apart
me: I called with one question
since there's no sound, I can just type.
13:32 Your concert in Paris is on the 19th of Nov right?
Frederic: yesat 6 pm
me: ok. I found cheap train tickets, so I'll come
Frederic: great
13:33 me: I find this frustrating
I just tested it with 'Skype' and my microphone does work
Frederic: what is your phone number? I'll call you on call phone
me: just a minute
+49 (0) 1522 4823331
13:34 so +4915224823331
Frederic: this is a cell number?
me: yes, so its a little expensive
13:35 I have a feeling your speakers may be turned off. I could hear you typing while I was on the phone
Frederic: I'll call you on the regular phone
me: we don't have a regular phone around here.
13:36 unfortunately
13:38 mystery
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
15 November 2011 at 19:39
To: [email protected]
19:28 me: Hi Fred, my microphone is shot.
I have to buy a new one tomorrow
19:32 Frederic: Oh, OK. I just wanted to say that if you did want to come to Paris I most likely can wangle you a ticket.
7 minutes
19:39 me: that's nice. I thought you probably could. i'm exhausted and mentally a little busy. let's do it another time.
but thanks anyway
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
23 January 2012 at 00:48
To: [email protected]
00:29 Frederic: trying
00:48 me: Damn
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
18 March 2012 at 13:25
To: [email protected]
12:20 me: Hi Fred, how are you. no microphone so I can't call
12:21 I'm not sure I can do a gig, so I sent them your email address. Maybe they'll ask you. I wonder if you are interested. I'll forward you the email. Talk soon I hope, cheers, Bobby
13:08 Frederic: I can't, but I sent it on to some other folks.
13:25 me: thanks, that was a good idea. I hope someone can. I wish I could go play.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
3 April 2012 at 19:12
To: [email protected]
18:49 me: maybe it's my microphone
i'll try to call you back
Frederic: ok
18:50 me: try calling me
18:51 i have no words
Frederic: noemi's email: [email protected]
me: ok thanks
18:52 that's all i wanted to call and ask for anyway
but a chat never hurts
Frederic: I can send you her phone number, but I have to get it
me: ok
18:53 Frederic: 030 37443642
me: OK, i'll call her
Frederic: When are you goig to Berlin?
me: this sunday, 8th
18:54 Frederic: I'll try to let her know
me: OK that's nice. I'll call her sometime this week
it's hopeless
Frederic: we'll try later
me: sounds good. thanks for the info
hasta luego
17 minutes
19:12 me: call me back
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
30 April 2012 at 22:56
To: [email protected]
22:56 Frederic: Tried to call yo back, no go.
me: oh sorry, i was 'offline'
now try
22:57 nothing's up
just at home
with no sound
22:58 +4915224823331
it's a mobile though
that costs alot
forget about it
let's talk when we figure out our sound
22:59 no one uses those these days
well this was fun
i'll see what the fuck is wrong
then maybe call you back
23:01 i changed some settings
dammit
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
6 May 2012 at 20:58
To: [email protected]
20:58 me: Hi Fred, I'm in a pub, don't think I can chat here
loud music
Frederic: I thought you went to France.
me: I'm in a pub in France.
I needed a glass of wine and an internet connection. so now i'm in a pub
Frederic: Oh, OK. Later then.
20:59 me: ok, later.
A socialist just won the general election here. everyone is honking their car horns and celebrating on the street
21:00 Frederic: I guess he's better than the other guy.
me: Let's hope so.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
16 August 2012 at 22:31
To: [email protected]
22:24 Frederic: I've invited you to a hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/2c6354aa5ac1ba5f8e595eb3fd30a2227ecf5faf?hcb=1&hii=104688061237096319010&hit=1345148688193&htp=1&hmv=0
22:25 I've invited you to a hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/35701590498ad761fa7e4d91907e8c4bb4ba65dc?hcb=1&hii=104688061237096319010&hit=1345148704971&htp=1&hmv=0
22:26 me: Je vous ai invité à un hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/153eb222a71c72bc15c872e1d25faa4f89642e9e?hcb=1&hii=111739830878648841754&hit=1345148781511&htp=1&hmv=0
22:27 Je vous ai invité à un hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/153eb222a71c72bc15c872e1d25faa4f89642e9e?hcb=1&hii=111739830878648841754&hit=1345148829749&htp=1&hmv=0
It's not working. Why don't you try calling me?
22:29 Je vous ai invité à un hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/a3e45c893cf3784710b127e195b57c7bfc6f9064?hcb=1&hii=111739830878648841754&hit=1345148951737&htp=1&hmv=0
22:30 Frederic: I don't understand, something has changed.
22:31 me: I also don't understand.
Now it's called a 'hangout'.
Should I try calling you again?
22:32 Frederic: I've invited you to a hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/38d1ecde4531c38ee5cb997cd0493c6857bbbc3a?hcb=1&hii=104688061237096319010&hit=1345149135342&htp=1&hmv=0
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
26 September 2012 at 22:49
To: [email protected]
22:31 me: Je vous ai invité à un hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/4f0e4b8571c6e3ca3f9a7346587d1eb89ce6802c?hcb=1&hii=111739830878648841754&hit=1348691486325&htp=1&hmv=0
22:36 Je vous ai invité à un hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/b7829a9955906ecc2b767fb235921e7cd324aad9?hcb=1&hii=111739830878648841754&hit=1348691765814&htp=1&hmv=0
22:38 Frederic: This worked better before there were these "hangouts"
22:39 me: yeah it's dreadful
let me try to call you again
22:40 Frederic: ok
me: Je vous ai invité à un hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/54e33cfa9a642de3e7a06917ca502975c13c32e3?hcb=1&hii=111739830878648841754&hit=1348692007554&htp=1&hmv=0
9 minutes
22:49 Frederic: Do you have a tzlephone number? I'll call you.
me: only mobile...
22:50 Frederic: nlo good
me: yeah i know...
Je vous ai invité à un hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/9be7b887d31be6e79137cabdb0552c30a2bfa787?hcb=1&hii=111739830878648841754&hit=1348692620166&htp=1&hmv=0
Frederic: I've invited you to a hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/e17c31b4cbb403008c83ecdfcf9cdd8d4d4be42a?hcb=1&hii=104688061237096319010&hit=1348692634532&htp=1&hmv=0
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
16 October 2012 at 22:23
To: [email protected]
22:01 me: Hi Fred, are you back from America? I can't call you for some reason.
22:04 Frederic: Yes, got back a few days ago.
me: You can't hear me, can you?
I can hear you.
Frederic: No
22:05 me: yes, i really hear you
yes.
that's right.
yes, i'm Beethoven. i'm doing the writing
Well it's a little slow.
yes, just keep talking
22:06 music?
you wrote enough music today?
that's good.
just came back from africa
had a wonderful time
today
22:07 yes, same time zone
and i have to wait for a few minutes, and then talk to my parents and grandfather
so i'm pissed off that the sound isn't working
i'm going to cut this off, and try again
i only have a cell phone...
hasta pronto
22:10 it's just not working
maybe i'm too tired to get this shit to work
maybe we should talk another time
22:11 Frederic: OK. I guess you can't hear me now.
hello?
me: now i can hear you. but you still can't hear me
i can hear you though
22:12 yes, probably
why not?
i have interesting conversations with myself
yes, Beethoven
yes, pretty good
could be worse
not so bad
i did my best
22:13 yes, definitely
well
in the cadenzas i also played some of beethovens music
and then improvised as well
you know he wrote cadenzas
i used some of his 'material
yes
yeah
for now
exactly
22:14 i'm happy with it
i agree
it's lost treasure
hahahaha
smoked glass
well there's the story of the loom in lyon
loom = making quilts, right?
22:15 they invented a loom in the 19th century
but it would have put the whole city of out work
so it was locked up in a room for 100 years
oh yes, you have?
oooh
saint etiennes
ahh ok
22:16 very interesting
oh yes
there's also the akhnetan mechanism
hold on
who's that?
oooh
ooh, well you should rather talk to her
yeah
22:17 hold on i'll find the wikipedia page and send it to you
don't worry, i'll send it
was discovered in the aaegean ocean
2500 years ago
technology from 2500 years ago
anyway who gives a shit
yes, me too
22:18 interesting
it wasn't a cultural interest
or priority
oh yeah
oh wow
i didn't know that
22:19 well
music is irreproducible, really
well
fuck them
well
oh i could do my best
thanks
these days you have to watch out for std's
sexually transmitted diseases
22:20 that's good
probably you are
but i just mean
fucking the record industry is a health risk
std's
well i mean literally
by literally fucking
22:21 oh maybe not
but you never know
that's true
it doesn't involve me
22:23 i think that's right
anyway music is best most enjoyable when done yourself
that's that
that's true
i think it still happens all over the world
it happens on the streets of africa
22:24 people make music just for fun
it's beautiful to see
anyway
all three cities
jo'burg for one day
durban where i played
and cape town for two days where i fell in love with a beautiful man
i mean
whatever that means
22:25 haha
that's right
in my experience
distraction
oh i have to go
parents are calling
adios fred
talk soon
yes, will do
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
23 October 2012 at 23:18
To: [email protected]
23:14 Frederic: hello, are you there?
me: Sure am
Frederic: What did you think of Igor?
23:15 me: all in all, i was a bit disappointed
Frederic: Why?
me: but still, he's clearly a good pianist
the first have seemed too serious to me. in the Bach/Brahms I felt like i was in church.
Frederic: How about Debussy?
23:16 me: Debussy was somehow not quixotive or spontaneous enough, anyway that's how i felt in the moment.
it felt very distant
23:17 Frederic: There wasn't much dynamic contrast. I had the impression somebody told him he should play theser pieces, but his heart wasn't in it.
me: I agree.
and I didn't hear all of the People United because I had a phone call and ate some dinner
but I heard the end, and I was disappointed with the last part and with the cadenza
23:18 There lacked a certain urgency
23:19 Frederic: I think he doesn't understand that you don't have to improvise.
me: that's a good point.
23:20 and his cadenza didn't sound improvised to me
Frederic: I guess he's trying to please everybody. I can do this, I can do that.
No, certainly not. That's the point. If you improvise, you really have to improvise. Nothing prepared.
23:21 me: that's a large undertaking for most pianists these days
not very many of us think we can improvise
but of course we all can
23:22 it's just a matter of taking a little risk
23:23 Frederic: But mainly you should only improvise if it makes sense.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
31 October 2012 at 22:21
To: [email protected]
21:28 Frederic: So where are you before the 10th?
21:30 me: in Freiburg
i come on the night train on friday night the 9th, arriving on the 10th
21:31 Frederic: What are you reharsing?
me: chopin etudes, ligeti etudes, your Piano Piece IV, and Chopin etudes arr. by Godowsky, intended for one player, two hands, but we are playing them with two players four hands
this is with the Doelen Ensemble, in Rotterdam
21:32 Frederic: When is that?
me: Saturday night 3-Nov. where will you be then?
21:33 Frederic: Here in Brussels. Rushing to finish this piece.
me: oh yeah
well I'm disappointed i can't come down to brussels
21:34 but i would just be a distraction
21:35 when does the piece have to be finished?
Frederic: tomorrow
me: oh i see
Frederic: I still have several pages to write out
21:36 lots of notes
me: well maybe you'll manage in time
if not
you can just give it to them late. that's typical composer behavior
21:37 Frederic: well that's what it will be
Where are you on the 8th?
me: i'll be in freiburg
21:38 why? what's happening then?
Frederic: Luna Partk is playing in Den Bosch, Ralph van Raat playing the piece I wrote fo them, "Hard Cuts"
21:39 me: oh yeah
that's right, i saw that on the programme
sadly i won't be there
21:40 Frederic: And what are you playing finally on Sunday?
me: War Songs, and 'Stop the War!' from the Road
21:41 Frederic: I still haven't heard your recording of "De Profundis"
You're doinfg the same program twice?
me: I really thought I sent you my recording of De Profundis
21:42 i can send it again if you want.
Frederic: Oh yes, ok
me: I'm scheduled to play three times. I was thinking of playing each piece with cadenzas, and then the third time both pieces without cadenzas
or both pieces three times
I don't know.
how many times are you supposed to play? and what are you playing?
21:43 Frederic: I'm not sure. I'll look at the audience and then decide.
That's what Rubinstein would do.
me: thats a good idea
I like that strategy
21:44 Frederic: A doctor doesn't prescribe medicine before seeing the patient
me: yes that's true
maybe i'll do the same
but i don't have as much of your music in my fingers as you do
21:45 and i've been hired to play your music, not mine, or schumann's
Frederic: Of course I'm practicing various things.
me: like what?
21:46 Frederic: Some miles from the Road, like "A Friendly Dispute", "Notes From Underground", "A Walk in the Woods", and then some recent stuff.
21:47 me: that sounds nice
Frederic: It's nice if I practice it
me: can I ask you something unrelated? are you opposed to the idea of me transcribing one of your improvised cadenzas, in the beethoven hammerklavier sonata?
21:48 it's a project that I am doing to finish my master's degree in germany
Frederic: Will someone pay you for doing it?
me: no
21:49 Frederic: Seems like a lot of work
me: yeah, it's more work than I expected
here's the crux of the matter:
21:50 I need to start doing one of these PhD's
Frederic: And why do it?
me: and people seem interested in the idea of improvisation
including myself
but to do a PhD I need to basically write a musicological masterpiece
21:51 so transcribing and 'analyzing' your improvised cadenzas struck me as an interesting contribution to the musicological body of work on improvisation
but the answer to 'why do all this' is that I'm doing it for survival. not really because I'm interested in it
21:52 Frederic: You could limit yourself to transcribing isolated passages, which you write about, rather than the whole mispruche.
me: would you prefer that?
21:54 Frederic: The thing about these doctoral theses is that they are always too long. Nobody wants to read it. So if you can keep it short and just say what you have to say, everybody is happy, mainly you.
21:55 me: I think that's a brilliant observation
the only problem is that there are restrictions on these things.
mine will have to be 270,000 characters.
21:56 Frederic: What does that mean in terms of pages?
me: ca. 150
I guess
Frederic: Much too much.
me: I completely agree.
Frederic: You must have an adviser.
21:57 me: yes, I know. I'm looking for one at the moment.
21:58 Frederic: Do they grow on trees?
me: more or less! there are academics everywhere.
I can do this project anywhere in the world and with anyone.
there are two problems with this: I'm poor. and doing a PhD in Germany is free.
21:59 so that leaves me with looking for a German supervisor.
22:01 anyway, i dislike discussing this stuff.
i'm just planning this because of external pressure being put on me to get one of these PhD
s
my heart's not in it
22:03 Frederic: Well, what do you want to say about improvisation?
22:04 It's a much-written about subject, but not too many people have been able to say much about it.
22:05 me: that's true.
Frederic: Nobody knows, really. And what is there to know? It's not something you think about, you just do it.
22:06 me: I agree that.
Frederic: Anyway, you're not a mjusicologist, you're a piano player.
me: I know. it's a serious problem.
I'd like to remain a pianist.
22:07 but these days you have to have one of these PhD's to get a job. any basic job
the days of the romantic pianists are over
22:08 they weren't musicologists either.
they were musicians
22:09 Frederic: We're all blues brothers.
me: yes.
22:10 this conversation would have been more enjoyable if we didn't have to type
22:11 Frederic: There are schools in the US where you can get a phd more easily, maybe
me: I've been thinking alot about that.
but in order to pay for those schools, you tend to have to do 10 to 20 hours of teaching per week
22:12 teaching class piano, or theory, or something like that
I could just take out fat loans from the bank, like everyone else in my generation
Frederic: Right. But that can be negotiated, if they really want you.
me: yes, that's true. to a degree
22:13 Frederic: But this all implies that you want to go into teaching. Is that what you want?
22:14 me: well
I don't know.
I wouldn't really mind it. and i would be a relatively good piano teacher.
22:15 I don't see many other options for me. except making my money playing the piano like I do now.
Frederic: What's wrong with that?
me: nothing much. except that I don't have enough work
and if I am not a student, I'll eventually have to leave Europe. where most of my work is.
22:16 Frederic: Why would you have to leave?
22:17 Why can't you just be a travelling professional, with bases in different countries?
me: I like that idea.
Frederic: Like Marta Argerich.
me: that's a good example.
that costs alot of money, I think. I don't make nearly as much money as she does.
22:18 the truth is that I need to find more well paying concerts.
Frederic: Have you tried to get an agent?
22:19 me: yes
I need to keep trying
22:20 Frederic: Perhaps you need a gimmick.
me: that would help, I think.
22:21 Frederic: I think the best strategy, in a situation where the unknowns are numerous, is to keep doing what you're doing and try to make it better.
22:23 me: I like that strategy
I want to keep doing what I'm doing.
22:25 I'm getting better as well.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
6 November 2012 at 20:38
To: [email protected]
19:32 Frederic: Did you see that Elliott Carter died?
19:33 me: oh god
no, I didn't
19:35 when? just today?
19:36 Frederic: Yesterday.
You should play his music. Do you know "Catenaires"?
19:37 And "Interventions". You should do that one.
19:38 "Soundings" is very good too.
me: I'm listening to catenaires at the moment. very nice.
19:39 Frederic: It sounds like improvised, if it's well done.
In his last years, he wrote this very free sounding music, still bound to tradition.
19:41 me: I don't know his later music yet. there is alot of music to get to know.
19:42 Frederic: New music isn't played often enough, and if it is, it's usually stodgy and academic.
19:43 me: Yeah, that's a major problem. Actually that's a problem with all classical music. I also think old music is played very academically most of the time.
Frederic: It has a bad reputation. Minimalism and gimmicks have taken over.
19:44 Even so, if it's good it gets through. I just listened to Heinrich Schütz "Fili Mi Absalon" such great stuff.
19:45 me: Schuetz was a badass
19:47 I was listening to Buxtehude yesterday.
also very good.
Frederic: Now listening to this:
19:48 http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6p7dk_kevin-class-plays-elliott-carter-so_music?search_algo=2
19:50 me: this sonata is a wonderful piece.
Frederic: The pianit is pretty good too.
19:51 Do you know the joke about the nine-inch pianist?
me: no.
Frederic: I can't remember it, but it's good.
15 minutes
20:06 Frederic: It's one of those jokes in which somebody can have anything he wants. What he gets is a little guy sitting at a nine-inch Steinway.
31 minutes
20:38 me: sounds very phallic and enjoyable to me
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
7 November 2012 at 23:06
To: [email protected]
22:13 me: I've invited you to a hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/d771ed68a438a7310f7382be3b160cd8177cb38d?hcb=1&hii=111739830878648841754&hit=1352322817624&htp=1&hmv=0
22:16 Frederic: I can't do this unless you tell me how to install "Plugin".
22:17 me: sorry, I can't quite help you there.
I did it myself two or three weeks ago, and it didn't start working until yesterday.
Frederic: But how did you do it?
22:18 I'm listening to Messiaen Oiseaux Exotiques
me: You click on 'install plug-in' and then something will end up in your 'downloads' folder, and then you click on that and follow the instructions. if I'm not mistaken
oh that's a good one
i'm still listening to carter.
22:19 Frederic: There is no 'install plug-in' .
22:22 Boulez conducts Messiaen with military precision, like Naopleon.
22:24 me: are you working on a laptop? if you bring it this weekend maybe we can try together. but I am no technical expert, be warned.
nice comparison.
boulez got more relaxed in his old age. I like how he conducts now. I saw hiim live in Amsterdam two years ago, and he seemed very relaxed about the whole thing.
5 minutes
22:29 Frederic: When do you arrive in Boschville?
22:30 me: Saturday morning. I plan to go straight to Ralph van Raat's recital at 12.30
you? you're going tomorrow right?
Frederic: Yes.
22:31 me: Bon voyage.
22:32 Did you finish your 4-hand piece?
22:33 Frederic: Yes. I'm going over it now to make corrections.
22:36 me: i guess i'm not allowed to see a copy
Frederic: Certainly you are. I'll send it to you when I send it to Ursula.
22:37 me: great.
22:39 Frederic: Now I'm watching Messiaen Turangalila suymphony, great stuff. Funny. Like cartoon music. But the musicians seem deadly serious. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PjyCpRKDrk&feature=related
22:41 me: well that's because classical music is serious business.
don't forget.
having fun is not encouraged.
Frederic: You're not bein paid for that.
22:42 me: oh no.
you gotta work for your money
22:43 Frederic: And why not? But it makes certain kinds of music impossible.
22:44 me: there will come a time in the near future
when music will be played again
and not worked
Frederic: No doubt.
22:45 Nothing wrong with work.
Most people are happy to have it.
me: I'm happy to have work.
22:46 although I just said no to a gig on electric keyboard that paid 50 euros.
22:48 Frederic: Good.
22:50 me: did you write a piece for the 2013 queen elizabeth competition?
Frederic: Yes
22:51 me: I'm thinking I'll participate.
Frederic: That one I can't show to yu
me: that makes sense.
Frederic: I think it's a nice piece
22:52 It should separate the sheep from the goats, so to speak
me: nice.
22:53 I think I'll try three competitions next year and see if I can't win some big money.
Frederic: I know nothing about this competition. But I guess a lot of wellknown people participated in it.
22:54 me: all i know is that nowadays it's one of the best publicized competitions. which is useful.
Frederic: A strange guy Pierre-Alain Volondat won it about 15 years ago. Now he's doing boogie-woogie.
22:55 Messiaen is a strangz mixture of sophistication and shlock.
me: that sounds fun enough. maybe i'll be doing boogie-woogie in 15 years. some of it's great.
22:56 Frederic: Only if you win this competition.
me: my plan is to get 2nd price and the audience prize
that's the best outcome
22:57 Frederic: That makes sense
I guess you have to play a new concerto. I have no idea who is writing that.
Probably some Belgian academic.
me: I saw that. could be interesting.
or in that case, boring.
22:58 elliott carter wrote some kick-ass piano concertos which I didn't know.
Frederic: Interventions is powerful.
22:59 Messiaen sounds inspired by Gershwin
The ondes martenot makes everything sound like cartoon music
23:00 me: I have an interesting recording you should hear.
hold on:
23:02 go here http://www.charm.rhul.ac.uk/sound/sound_search.html
and then search 'Shewell, Lennington H' under artists
oh but i guess it's theremin, not ondes martenont. still interesting
23:06 Frederic: Can't find it
23:08 me: really?
weird.
anyway it's nice theremin music recorded in 1930.
23:09 Frederic: Signing off. I have to get away from this computer.
me: I don't blame you.
enjoy the count's hedges
see you on Saturday.
23:10 Frederic: Hasta luego
me: dulce suenos
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
18 November 2012 at 20:47
To: [email protected]
20:19 Frederic: How are you doing?
me: Hi Fred, fine, thanks. nothing special.
you?
Frederic: Trying to write a piano concerto.
20:20 me: How's that going? so your gig came through?!
Frederic: Yes. Now I have to do the work. It's not a very lively form. There have been a few good ones in the last 50 years, but not many.
20:21 me: I can imagine that it's hard to write good music for orchestra.
Should we attempt a video chat or do you feel like just typing?
20:22 Frederic: You can try. But there's something about "Plugin" that stymies me.
me: Bobby Mitchell is inviting you to use Google voice and video chat. Get started at http://www.google.com/chat/video
I've invited you to a hangout. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/lite/c5ae736f9488f06b998b7c3f2638f407c7c13813?hcb=1&hii=111739830878648841754&hit=1353266559097&htp=1&hmv=0
20:23 yeah I don't understand it that well myself.
well when are you performing this concerto? next june?
Frederic: This is what I get: Help home
We're sorry, but the information you've requested cannot be found. Please try searching or browsing the Help Center.
20:24 August.
me: I'm the worst person to explain this to you.
hmm August. Maybe I can come and listen.
Frederic: Have you ever been to the Proms?
me: No, actually.
20:25 Frederic: It's worth visiting. The Royal Albert Hall seats 6000 people, and it's often full.
me: That's quite impressive.
Frederic: So I'm writing with th sound of that space in mind.
20:26 me: If you get it right, it could sound really good in a space like that.
20:27 Frederic: But I don't know if I want to use the full orchestra. I think maybe a piano concerto shoul be fo small orchestra.
me: That's also what Mozart and Beethoven were thinking.
and those are pretty much the best piano concerti.
Frederic: Argerich in Schumann.
20:28 me: that's true, the Schumann concerti is brilliant.
I was practicing it today.
Frederic: Are you going to play it?
20:29 me: I think I'll play it with a string quartet on 13-Feb.
the orch part arranged for string quartet
Frederic: Who did that?
me: Jeremy Liu, an American pianist.
20:30 Frederic: Well, maybe. I think there's too much arranging going on.
me: yeah, I'm not sure yet if it's good.
20:31 Frederic: I will take a couple of minutes to attend to certain things
20:32 me: have fun
I will also go full up a glass with something.
20:36 Frederic: OK I'm back
20:38 me: Ok me too
Frederic: So. What's your favorie piano concerto of the lasr 50 yearts?
me: It's too about this damn video chat. Typing messages in a little box isn't quite the same.
20:39 I like John Adams' piano concerto quite alot. more than most of his other music.
although I think the slow movement is shitty.
Frederic: I don't think I've heard it. Good idea.
me: It's called 'century rolls', apparently inspired by the way old player pianos play.
20:40 Frederic: I listened to various things on Youtube. Pascal Dusapin & Sciarrino are interesting. An of course Carter's Interventios.
me: I also think the Ligeti piano concert is a wonderful piece, but extremely fucking hard to play.
I don't know who Pascal Dusapin is. Sciarrino, that must be interesting.
Frederic: I liked it alright, but not that much.
20:41 me: yeah, I know what you mean.
Frederic: Stockhausen's Kontra-punkte is a great piece.
20:42 me: I've never listened to it.
I'll listen to it now.
20:43 Frederic: I recorded it a long time ago (1964) with Maderna conducting, for RCA Italiana.
20:44 me: oh how interesting. is there a stil a copy of that somewhere?
Frederic: Don't know. Presumably the old LP exists somwhere.
20:45 On the other side I recorded Boulez' Flute Sonatine with Gazzelloni.
me: oh that's kind of a nice piece.
20:46 Frederic: It was easy with Severino. He would just whiz thru it and I would do the same. We came together at certain points.
me: I think that's the right way to make chamber music.
20:47 Frederic: I convinced Maderna to conduct it. It has these signs for conductor, so I said we had to have one.
me: The flute sonatina has markings for a conductor? I didn't know that.
Frederic: Take a look.
20:48 me: that's amusing.
20:49 boulez has the image of being a control freak.
but I think he relaxed a bit since the 90's.
Frederic: Nobody's perfect.
me: Do you know his piece 'Sur Incises'? I think it's remarkably good.
20:50 Frederic: He has written some good music. Did you ever play Structures for 2 pianos?
me: no, but i've heard it performed once or twice.
Frederic: There is something about the uncompromising austerity in Book 1 that is irresistible.
20:52 me: yeah I know what you mean
I enjoyed playing his piece 'Incises' for awhile
written in 1994 I think.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
18 November 2012 at 22:35
To: [email protected]
21:59 Frederic: I'm listening to th 2nd movt of Adams - seems pretty shitty to me
me: Yeah the 2nd mvmt is shitty
The first movement is better.
22:00 Frederic: Didn't like it
me: yeah maybe the whole thing is shitty. i liked it when I was a teenager
which probably means it's shitty.
Frederic: He's a sampling composer, doesn't tell me anything £I didn't already know
22:01 me: yeah, I see what you mean.
Frederic: I've turned it off, can't do two things at once.
22:02 me: It's probably better not to do two things at once.
maybe the piano concert is an archaic genre
22:03 Frederic: I hesitate to talk about it.
22:04 me: Yes, I can see why.
Frederic: Bad luck.
me: ahh, it could be worse.
I bet you will write a kick ass piano concerto.
22:05 the one from the 70's is good, but nobody plays it. I've been trying to organize a performance of it.
Frederic: How?
me: telling conductors that it exists and that I want to 'record it'.
but nobody has any money.
Frederic: But have you heard it?
22:06 me: well as far as I can tell, there's no readily available recording.
Frederic: That's true.
22:07 me: that's why i want to record it.
nobody buys recordings. I just want the gig, really.
22:08 Frederic: I have an old cassette somewhere of the first performance, at Dartmouth College.
22:09 I think orchestras balk at the middle section.
me: I'd like to hear it sometime.
I think orchestras would enjoy playing the middle part.
22:10 Frederic: I suppose times change. Old farts die, young ones take their place.
No one talks about "young farts". I see a lot of them.
22:11 me: still, there are alot of old farts in orchestras these days.
Yes, and alot of young farts.
more and more of them.
Frederic: That's one reason I'm thinking of using only half the orchestra, just those who don't hate the music.
22:12 me: so will you take a vote beforehand?
'Who already hates my music'?
22:13 Frederic: No, I would just ask the conductor, who knows his musicians.
me: I'm skeptical of that.
22:14 I don't think the conductor really knows the musicians well at all. How they play, perhaps
but not if they like their music. and what they are like as people.
22:15 Frederic: I don't know this conductor personally, but many of my friends like him. Ilan Volkov.
me: hmm, I don't know him. but if he's good, he's good.
22:17 Frederic: I can't say. Anyway, I would like to write something that might be played in different places.
22:18 me: you know what might be a good idea
use the same orchestration as other mozart or beethoven
and then orchestras which are already collected together to play one of those concerti can also play yours
22:20 Frederic: I've thought of that. But I wouldn't count on it. But my idea for a long time has been to write for Mendelssohn-size orchestra, since that seems to have been the standard before the whole thing went haywire.
22:21 This orchestra is 14-12-10-8-6, then 3 of everything.
But only 2 percussion.
me: That's a brilliant idea.
Frederic: What?
me: to use that size orchestra
22:22 Frederic: It's not very original!
me: it's not too classical but not too new.
exactly, that's why it's a brilliant idea.
nowadays orchestras have 8 horns and two contrabassoons and 18 percussionists
and that sounds shitty next to a piano soloist
Frederic: Exactly.
22:23 Also I don't have much time, so it makes sense to write mostly for solo piano.
me: Yes.
That's what they did back then as well.
the orchestra parts are pretty humdrum by themselves
22:25 Frederic: Well, enojugh talk. Talk less, work more.
me: Yes, good mantra.
22:26 I played through quite a few Chopin etudes today.
They are masterpieces.
22:28 Frederic: I guess that's true. I never got into them. I like the 4th Ballade, Barcarolle, and especially Berceuse.
me: those are all great pieces.
22:29 I never liked Chopin before. I think this is the first time.
by the way he writes for the piano, I have the sense that he and I play in similar ways.
22:32 Frederic: There is no technical reason why we can't hear recordings of Chopin's playing. Edison's gramophone could easily have been invented 100 years earlier. Mozart might have liked it.
me: Yes, that's all true.
but I wonder if it isn't better that we have to use our imagination
22:33 we have recordings of Bartok for example, but they don't turn me on all that much.
In general recordings are sort of boring.
Frederic: I agree. People should make their own music.
22:34 me: I think it's more fun that way.
I'm preparing myself for the post-recording age.
22:35 It could come sooner than we realize.
22:36 Frederic: We might have to go back to living in caves.
22:37 me: as long as my cave can fit a piano I'll generally be happy.
22:39 Frederic: I'll send you the link to the MEV concert in NYC last month. It's good.
22:40 me: Ok, i'll listen to it for sure.
Frederic: Signing off. I got hardly any sleep and am fading.
me: ok dulce suenos
22:41 bis bald
22:42 Frederic: Ciao
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
28 November 2012 at 21:55
To: [email protected]
20:13 me: Hi Fred. how are you?
27 minutes
20:41 Frederic: with you in a minute
20:43 me: no worries
51 minutes
21:34 Frederic: another 10 min?
21:35 me: it's ok. my internet connection here is slow.
I just wanted to see how you are.
talk another time.
21:36 Frederic: Just wait a few minutes please
me: ok. deal
15 minutes
21:51 Frederic: I'm back
21:52 me: where are you back from?
21:55 Frederic: I was talking to my daughter. Hold on another pmin
me: ok
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
11 December 2012 at 23:01
To: [email protected]
23:01 Frederic: How are you doing?
23:02 me: you can't hear me can you?
Frederic: no, I can try calling you
me: yes, please
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
25 December 2012 at 21:45
To: [email protected]
21:26 Frederic: Merry Xmas!
18 minutes
21:45 me: can you not hear me??
I can hear you.
Frederic: I heard the bell and clicked, but I don't hear anything.
21:46 me: That's a shame you can't hear me.
I can't explain it. I was just successfully video chatting with other friends
you still can't hear me?
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
31 December 2012 at 23:34
To: [email protected]
23:05 me: Dear Fred, Happy New Year!
23:12 Frederic: Same to you. Are you in Freiburg?
23:22 me: no I'm in basel partying with a few friends.
cheers and I'm sure we'll have a nice conversation soon
23:34 you can't hear me can you?
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
10 January 2013 at 23:48
To: [email protected]
23:48 Frederic: Whazzup?
me: notalot
you??
23:50 Frederic: I'm talking to daughter Esther
me: oh ok
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
18 January 2013 at 12:28
To: [email protected]
12:20 me: Hi Fred, how are you?
12:21 Did you find a chance to look in your attic for the orchestral parts to A Long Time Man?
Frederic: Thank you for reminding me. I'll get dressed and go upstairs to look.
12:22 me: OK, thanks alot.
I just got dressed myself.
Frederic: I often wonder, why bother, when it's just going to get dark again in a couple of hours.
12:23 me: I see your logic quite clearly here.
I've been listening to this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF4MDhDkhlc
12:24 Frederic: Sounds like any old piano player
12:25 me: I like the sound quality of these old player pianos.
12:26 Frederic: Hold on. Did you see the comment: "I presume that this is taken from the album 'Debussy plays Debussy' released on the dal segno label, in which case it is being played by Richard Buhlig. Only the first 7 pieces on that album are actually played by the composer himself."
me: Yes, I just read that. Now i'm reading about Richard Buhlig.
whoever played it, it sounds nice.
12:27 Frederic: I never likd Debussy. The made me play it when I was small. I hted everything about it, the paper, the printing.
12:28 I still don't lik it.
me: I also hated Debussy when I was younger.
well, who says you have to like it.
Frederic: It's a free country
12:29 me: In some ways, yes.
12:30 Frederic: I mean, you can hate Debussy and they will only punish you a little bit
12:31 me: Who will punish you for hating Debussy? Does anybody really care these days?
I think they will punish you more for hating Steve Reich or Lady Gaga
12:33 or Nico Muhly
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
31 January 2013 at 23:48
To: [email protected]
23:18 me: Can you hear me?
I guess not.
23:19 Frederic: No. Can we do this in sy half hour?
me: sure thing.
hasta pronto
28 minutes
23:48 me: hi freddy, I'm going to sleep just now. or read rubinstein
s biography for awhile
I need to close the computer. let's talk soon, hope you are well.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
5 April 2013 at 19:39
To: [email protected]
19:33 me: call again.
6 minutes
19:39 Frederic: You might want my cell number: +32493863306.
19:40 me: ok, thanks for that
Mine is +31614043360 but I don't see any reason why you'll need to call me.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Fri, 26 Apr 2013, 00:19
to me
me: Hi Fred, try calling again
Frederic: I am trying, doesn't seem to work.
me: I don't get it.
me: I can hear you though
me: yeah
me: but you can't hear me
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
13 August 2013
Bobby Mitchell - 18:59Hi Fred, let's talk again when this shit works
Frederic Rzewski - 18:59yeah, i'm around.
Bobby Mitchell - 19:01I was asking you about September because a friend of mine organized this festival where I am playing:
http://www.iequalsufestival.com/about.html
He wants you to come play as well, but we have no money. ha
Frederic Rzewski - 19:01hahaha
the ceiling in my studio fell down, so i have to deal with that. but mainly i have to write music.
the piano is apparently full of plaster now.
Bobby Mitchell - 19:03oh shit
that sounds kind of devastating
Frederic Rzewski - 19:03the its also wants $6000 for 2008.
irs i mean
Bobby Mitchell - 19:04oh they can go wank off
Frederic Rzewski - 19:04which reminds me i also have to masturbate
Bobby Mitchell - 19:04ok have fun then
i will write two emails and then start drinking a bottle of red
Frederic Rzewski - 19:05i mean in september
Bobby Mitchell - 19:05oh i see, you schedule far in advance then
Frederic Rzewski - 19:05i try ton think ahead
Bobby Mitchell - 19:06when it comes to wanking off, i try to live in the moment
Frederic Rzewski - 19:07your idea of a recording based on songs is a good one
you ought to sell it to german radio
Bobby Mitchell - 19:07that's a good idea
they would be into that
Frederic Rzewski - 19:07for that matter flemish radio
Bobby Mitchell - 19:07here's my idea right now. let me know what you think:
Schumann, Robert (1810 – 1856) – Gesänge der Frühe I (1854) (3')
Martin, Scherzinger (b. 1966) – Etude Miniature No. 2: The Horse is Not Mine, an Imitation Horse (2012, written for me) (2’30”)
cadenza?
Liszt, Franz (1811-1886) – Un sospiro, from trois études de concert (1845/59) (6')
Finnissy, Michael (b. 1946) – from Gershwin Arrangements: How long has this been going on? (3'30”)
Schumann, Robert – Gesänge der Frühe II (1854) (3')
cadenza?
Finnissy, Michael – from Gershwin Arrangements: They're writing songs of love but not for me (3'30”)
Schumann, Robert – Gesänge der Frühe III (1854) (3')
Schumann, Robert – Gesänge der Frühe IV (1854) (3')
Rzewski, Frederic (b. 1938) – War Songs (including improvisation) (ca. 17'30”)
Wagner, Richard (1813 – 1883) / arr. Liszt, Franz - Liebestod from Tristan and Isolde (6’)
Beethoven, Ludwig (1870 – 1828) – from Sonata Op. 111: Aria and variations (16’30”)
cadenza?
Schumann, Robert – Gesänge der Frühe V (1854) (3')
Frederic Rzewski - 19:08why only 3 minutes?
Bobby Mitchell - 19:08i split those up across the CD, that's just the first one which is 3 min
Frederic Rzewski - 19:14cadenza means improvisation?
Bobby Mitchell - 19:14yeah
those are flexible. I will see where they land and how they sound
Frederic Rzewski - 19:15you think beethoven is realy a song?
Bobby Mitchell - 19:16he calls it an 'aria'
Frederic Rzewski - 19:16I wonder if there are words
Bobby Mitchell - 19:16no sorry i mean 'arietta'
Frederic Rzewski - 19:16whatever that is
Bobby Mitchell - 19:16hmm
lebe wohl or something like that
who knows
Frederic Rzewski - 19:17that's the only thing that doesn't convince me
i don
i don't know the scherzinger of course
Bobby Mitchell - 19:18http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXTZ2nyjsFw
don't send that around please. Martin wants to wait and 'publish' it or something. so it's a 'closed link'
Frederic Rzewski - 19:24Esther says you move your head like a hortse
Bobby Mitchell - 19:24hahahaha
thanks esther, how flattering
Frederic Rzewski - 19:25Mo proble
*M
Means you're really getting into it !
Bobby Mitchell - 19:25I suppose that's what it means
make a recording of your cello viola piece when you perform it and send it to me
I'll go practice a little while longer, ciao ragazzi
Frederic Rzewski - 19:26Ciao :)
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
16 October 2013
Frederic Rzewski - 21:16call back in 15 min
Bobby Mitchell - 21:16ok, i have to go somewhere at around 9.30. We'll talk soon. I want to hear how it was in Athens. Cheers
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
21 October 2013
Bobby Mitchell - 16:23sorry Fred, i'm rehearsing now with somebody. read your message. yes i can come to brussels first
seey ou tomorrow
Frederic Rzewski - 16:23ok
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
30 October 2013
Bobby Mitchell - 22:02This doesn't seem to be working.
Frederic Rzewski - 22:08Well I dunno.
Bobby Mitchell - 22:08Me neither
I think this google hangout is a large crock of shit
Frederic Rzewski - 22:09Yes. Forget it. It makes you stupid.
Bobby Mitchell - 22:09Probably.
who are you with? is Esther still there?
Frederic Rzewski - 22:10Yes, also her cousin and a school friend. Thee giggling girls.
Bobby Mitchell - 22:10Haha.
sounds giddy
Frederic Rzewski - 22:11I just sent you a link. Do you know this pianist?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkbmgzzoRUQ
Bobby Mitchell - 22:11no I don't know her
but this is damn beautiful
Frederic Rzewski - 22:12Oh no, that's somrthing else. Look at your email.
Bobby Mitchell - 22:12[found it already and listening]
Frederic Rzewski - 22:12Mendelssohn/
Bobby Mitchell - 22:12She was born in 1916 and is still playing?
Frederic Rzewski - 22:13Apparently.
Bobby Mitchell - 22:13This is remarkable.
Frederic Rzewski - 22:14Eliane digs up these old pianists and sends them to me.
Bobby Mitchell - 22:14Who's Eliane?
I have some good old pianists I listen to regularly
Frederic Rzewski - 22:15Eliane Lust. She's a friend of Robert Satterlee. You know him?
Bobby Mitchell - 22:16I know of him. But I don't know Eliane.
Frederic Rzewski - 22:16You and Satterlee hve a great deal in common.
Bobby Mitchell - 22:17You have mentioned that to me once or twice before.
You mean more than just being homosexual?
Frederic Rzewski - 22:18He's done a cd of De Profundis, and another one with other pieces of mine, including the one I wrote for him, "Second Hand".
Bobby Mitchell - 22:18I heard his recording of 'second hand' once. You sent it to me
very nice.
Frederic Rzewski - 22:19Maybe "Third Hand" would have been a better title.
Bobby Mitchell - 22:19like the Third Man
Frederic Rzewski - 22:19Or maybe that's another piece!
Bobby Mitchell - 22:19I'll play the Third Hand!
Frederic Rzewski - 22:20There's a piece by Morton Feldman for piano 3 hands
Bobby Mitchell - 22:20Liszt called one of his techniques the 'third hand' technique - when the melody is in the middle of the keyboard and played by interlocking thumbs from both hands
oh nice
Frederic Rzewski - 22:20I thought Schumann invented that
My theory is that Schumann invented the cell phoe.
Because that's how you wrie text messags, with thumbs
Bobby Mitchell - 22:21interesting theory
so what text messages are schumann sending us from the grave?
Frederic Rzewski - 22:22messages in a language we haven't learnd yet
Bobby Mitchell - 22:22like this one:
omg ur gr8 @ the pian0
Frederic Rzewski - 22:23can u translate?
Bobby Mitchell - 22:23oh my goodness, you are great at playing the piano
Frederic Rzewski - 22:24so the zero at the end is a mistake?
Bobby Mitchell - 22:24who knows
schumann was a hilarious writer
Frederic Rzewski - 22:24i've never read anything
Bobby Mitchell - 22:25His Tagebücher are fun to read
some parts of them anyway
Frederic Rzewski - 22:25i've never been interested in lives of composers etc
heard a great piece on the radio, r strauss oboe concerto, indian summer, he wrote it for an american oboist
Bobby Mitchell - 22:27The concerto is called 'indian summer'? I didn't know that
R strauss is a fucking amazing composer
Frederic Rzewski - 22:28most implortant german composer of 20th century
Bobby Mitchell - 22:28No doubt
I have been listening to the 'Alpensymfonie' over and over these days
hold on, this is a good performance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZW9lJZKP4g
Frederic Rzewski - 22:31stockhausen was good, but not as good as strauss. "Vier Letzte Lieder" of 1949 trumps everything that came after it in German music
Bobby Mitchell - 22:32There are no words to describe the vier letzte Lieder
those pieces taught me awe and bewilderment as a teenager
I listened to them every day for a year once upon a time
actually everything I listen to by Strauss I become obsessive about: last year I saw Ariadne auf Naxos live
and could not stop thinking about it for weeks
Frederic Rzewski - 22:36one motherfucker
Bobby Mitchell - 22:37amen
Frederic Rzewski - 22:42He did of course laugh and kid around with Goebbels
a gross error on his part
like stockhausen saying 9/11 was the greatest artwork of all time
Bobby Mitchell - 22:43well those two scenarios aren't easily comparable
Frederic Rzewski - 22:44strauss is like heinrich mann's mephisto
Bobby Mitchell - 22:44strauss could have socialized with goebbels solely with the idea of own survival in mind
Frederic Rzewski - 22:44apparently he was like aaron copland trying to oganize the composers
he started th gema
Bobby Mitchell - 22:45who? strauss?
Frederic Rzewski - 22:45i believe it was largely his idea
probably a bad one
he should have just stuck to writing beautiful music
Bobby Mitchell - 22:46agreed
Frederic Rzewski - 22:47when composers and artists start mucking around with politics they make terrible mistakes
hitler and stalin were both artists, and not bad ones
if instead of training young soldiers we trained young musicians society would make a giant leap forwards
Bobby Mitchell - 22:52society doesn't seem capable of making a giant leap forwards
Frederic Rzewski - 22:54This is something that needs more experiment. It has made such leaps in the past, 10,000 years ago, with the invention of agriculture. Smaller revolutions have taken place, if in abortive forms.
Bobby Mitchell - 22:56I think there might be some added pressure with the end of fossil fuels - but i have no way of predicting in which direction things could go
Frederic Rzewski - 22:57Nobody does. We're absolutely on new unknown terrain here.
What is striking is the absence of broad general theories, like Marxism or Thatcherism.
Bobby Mitchell - 22:58maybe the era of theories was the unusual period in human history
nowadays we're just straight back to good old wild-west every man for himself-ism
Frederic Rzewski - 22:59There is the official culture, orchestrated by the media, and then there are movements like Occupy, but no organized opposition.
Bobby Mitchell - 22:59I think feudalism is really what we're talking about here
Frederic Rzewski - 23:00This is the danger, massive regression to a state like that of the Mediterranean at the time of the Odyssey, universal piracy.
Bobby Mitchell - 23:01I could easily see that happening
Frederic Rzewski - 23:01The Odyssey is about how tyranny, despite its negative aspects, is better than piracy.
Bobby Mitchell - 23:02Who is the tyrant? Odysseus?
Frederic Rzewski - 23:03Alkinoös, tyrant of the Phaeacians, who enjoy peace, are rich, and have advanced technology, ships that trtavel at fantastic speeds and bring Odysseus back to Ithaka in just one night.
Bobby Mitchell - 23:04I suppose it depends on the tyrant
Frederic Rzewski - 23:06But I do not believe society will flop back to archaic forms. I think the revolutionary idea is still strong; just not organized.
Bobby Mitchell - 23:06I would like to agree with you
but I sense an immense and contagious apathy from alot of people my age
Frederic Rzewski - 23:07You have to believe in something, don't you? I believe in revolution.
Bobby Mitchell - 23:07It's a good thing to believe in.
Frederic Rzewski - 23:08Whatever it is.
Rubinstein: Life, for better or for worse, without conditions.
Bobby Mitchell - 23:08I think I believe in living.
Frederic Rzewski - 23:09And how about music?
Bobby Mitchell - 23:09oh absolutely
although
music is not really something to 'believe in'.
it's more something to do.
Frederic Rzewski - 23:14just had a conversation zbout sex with the 3 girls
they said it was just old men talk
you can believe in it in the sense that you have a job to do
Bobby Mitchell - 23:16what is just old men talk? sex?
Yes, this is true. I like having a job to do
Frederic Rzewski - 23:17i'm having a good time writing for chorus, i feel like i am relearning things that i have forgotten
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkbmgzzoRUQ
like this stuff, this muisic must be really old
Bobby Mitchell - 23:19This is beautiful.
I play the Rossini 'messe petite solonelle' next weekend. Do you know it?
Frederic Rzewski - 23:23No
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
1 November 2013
Frederic Rzewski - 21:36Happy All Souls Day!
Bobby Mitchell - 23:53Thanks Fred, you too!
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
3 November 2013
Frederic Rzewski - 21:35Didyouwatchthis
Bobby Mitchell - 21:35no not yet
although it looks interesting
Frederic Rzewski - 23:06youstillthere
Bobby Mitchell - 23:06yeah i'm on the phone with eugene feygelson at the moment
how are you?
Frederic Rzewski - 23:07finecallmewhenuwant
Bobby Mitchell - 23:07ok
Frederic Rzewski - 23:12http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJXnYMl_SuA#t=42
Bobby Mitchell - 23:31I've seen this. sort of amusing.
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
6 November 2013
Bobby Mitchell - 13:37Aucune modification de la situation juridique du PRODUCTEUR ne pourra mettre fin au présent contrat, lequel se poursuivra pour la durée restant à courir entre L’ARTISTE et la personne morale ou physique qui pourra se trouver aux droits du PRODUCTEUR.
Hi Fred - I am planning to dispute this point in my recording contract, because of your advice
I have re-written it so, what do you think:
Frederic Rzewski - 13:37Whatadvie
What
advice
Bobby Mitchell - 13:38If Alpha / Outhere Music were to ever terminate business and dissolve the company, the ARTIST would inherit sole proprietary rights to the recording materials and would have sole jurisdiction over their distribution.
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
28 November 2013
Bobby Mitchell - 21:12http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v57cJC6broI
What do you think about this music? I love it, today
Frederic Rzewski - 21:12whatisthis
Bobby Mitchell - 21:13saint-saens piano concerto no 2, played by rubsintein when he was 88 years old
Frederic Rzewski - 22:25Mieczylaw
Horzowski
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
27 December 2013
Frederic Rzewski - 16:06Get any presents?
Not me.
Bobby Mitchell - 16:09no presents?
not even from esther?
I got a nice pair of shoes.
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
1 January 2014
Bobby Mitchell - 00:34am listening to your squares now, will phone when it's over
happy new year!
Frederic Rzewski - 00:35Idem
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
20 January 2014 at 00:54
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Do you know this guy Benjamin Hochman?
(I don't know who this "colleague" is, who calls me "Fred".)
Dear Ms. Freifeld,
I'm an old colleague of Frederic Rzewski and am pleased to tell him — via you -- that Benjamin Hochman will be performing his PEOPLE UNITED… at The Kennedy Center on February 1, 2014 (WPAS first presented it with Ursula Oppens — in a premiere). I don't know if Fred will be in the US at the time, or able to attend, but I wanted to at least make the inquiry! We'd love to do a post-performance conversations with him, if so.
Warm wishes,
Jenny
Jenny Bilfield
President & CEO
Washington Performing Arts Society
2000 L Street, NW, Suite 510
Washington, DC 20036
[email protected]
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
20 January 2014 at 11:24
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Hi Fred,
I don't know who this Benjamin Hochman nor who this Jenny Bilfield are. She seems like someone who might be worth getting to know.
Ashley Hribar and I spoke last night. he wants to come visit you in Brussels sometime in the near future. Did you talk to you about this?
Cheers
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
20 January 2014 at 13:01
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Ursula says he's one of the "current young stars".
She says the other one (my "colleague") is a " serious music presenter".
It made me think of you, since you were just in Washington and said there was nothing to do there. You could have been shmoozing up to this lady! Although I guess not, since it was Xmas and she was probably in Barbados...
I just read that the richest 85 people on the planet have as much $ as the poorest 3.5 billion.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
20 January 2014 at 14:52
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
I knew there were people to schmooze while I was in Washington! I just didn't know who. Next time I think I will just write Ursula and ask her who thinks is useful to meet - it seems like she knows who is important to contact in certain places.
All that money rich paper are hoarding is just toilet paper or numbers in a computer at the end of the day.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
20 January 2014 at 16:04
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
It's true that if they were to give it all away it wouldn't be worth anything. Money has value only because it's scarce.
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
21 January 2014
Frederic Rzewski - 21:09When do you work with Asko/Schönberg?
Bobby Mitchell - 21:52In 10 days or so
Feb 1 and 2
Frederic Rzewski - 21:53Maybe you can find out something about this concert next year with my piano concerto. The big problem for me is that they don't have enough strings.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:54I can do a little inquiring
I'm in the kitchen now about to eat
Frederic Rzewski - 21:54They seem to be basically a wind band with some solo strings.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:54When I'm at the computer we can do the real deal chat
I.e. with voice
Frederic Rzewski - 21:54OK go ahead.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:54That's pretty much true
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
18 March 2014
Frederic Rzewski - 20:06change of plan: I'm leaving 28th morning, back 30th evening
Bobby Mitchell - 20:07Hi Fred
Where are you going?
Frederic Rzewski - 20:07birmingham
Bobby Mitchell - 20:08For a concert?
Frederic Rzewski - 20:09esther's cincert
Bobby Mitchell - 20:09It's no problem. Did you tell ashley or should I let him know?
Frederic Rzewski - 20:09i told ashley
Bobby Mitchell - 20:09Oh nice. She will play viola?
Ok
Frederic Rzewski - 20:10no her piece for viola & piano is being played
Bobby Mitchell - 20:10Well I'll be at my computer by around 21.30 or so. I'm about to catch a train
Maybe we can talk then
Frederic Rzewski - 20:10ok
Bobby Mitchell - 20:10Oh that's nice.
Ok until then
Adios
The Flood
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
17 April 2014 at 20:29
To: Michael Sahl <[email protected]>
Bcc: [email protected]
I've written so much music I can't remember it all. I recently stumbled on this, which I had completely forgotten about:
http://imslp.org/wiki/The_Road_(Rzewski,_Frederic)#IMSLP154415
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
17 April 2014 at 22:18
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
We discussed this piece of music last week. Very impressive. I would like to play it sometime.
Who is Michael Sahl?
Fwd: Sara Davis Buechner plays Dvořák's Piano Concerto (live video)
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
15 May 2014 at 19:18
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
I used to know this pianist when I was living in New York. Then his name was David Buechner, now he's a woman.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Sara Davis Buechner <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, May 15, 2014 at 5:51 PM
Subject: Sara Davis Buechner plays Dvořák's Piano Concerto (live video)
To: Sara Davis Buechner <[email protected]>
Vancouver BC Canada
15 May 2014
Dear Friends:
Today I have uploaded a video to my YouTube Channel, of a live performance of the Piano Concerto in G minor op. 33 by Antonín Dvořák, from October 2013. The concert was presented by the Victoria Symphony under the baton of Maestro Bernhard Gueller.
The link is posted below the description, here. Later this year the video will be produced as a DVD.
This Concerto has especially warm connections for me, and I hope you enjoy it.
With best wishes,
xxx
Sara
- - - - -
Pianist Sara Davis Buechner performs Antonín Dvořák's Piano Concerto in G minor, opus 33 with the Victoria Symphony under the baton of Bernhard Gueller, live at the Royal Theatre in Victoria, B.C., Canada
(filmed on October 28, 2013).
Antonín Dvořák’s youthful Piano Concerto has received less attention than his beloved Concertos for Violin and Cello. It was prominently revived in the 1940s by Czech pianist Rudolf Firkušný, himself a friend of Dvořák’s son-in-law Josef Suk and pupil of Vilém Kurz (who extensively re-wrote sections of the piece, a source of some controversy). Sara Davis Buechner, who studied the work with Firkušný during her years as his Juilliard pupil from 1980 - 84, performs the work in its original version here.
http://youtu.be/SYW6fjvpuNw
Sara Davis Buechner・サラ・デイヴィス・ビュクナー
Tel (604) 685 6795 / E-mail: [email protected]
Sara Davis Buechner website: www.saradavisbuechner.com
Visit my new YouTube Channel! at www.YouTube.com/SaraDavisBuechner
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
16 May 2014 at 04:40
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
(S)he's not bad.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Sun, 1 Jun 2014, 21:44
to Frederic
how were your concerts in the USA?
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
2 June 2014
Frederic Rzewski - 16:37good!
Got back yesterday. Just got up now. Found letter from Eleanore who is serious about commissioning new piece. Fine, altho not sure I can do it in time for birthday...
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Mon, 2 Jun 2014, 22:27
to me
so maybe it could be done sometime in 2015, rather than by March 30?
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Thu, 5 Jun 2014, 11:20
to me
Review of NY concert
http://newyorkclassicalreview.com/2014/05/shoeless-fred-rzewski-shows-power-and-truth-at-roulette/
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Thu, 5 Jun 2014, 12:50
to Frederic
very nice review. well written.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Wed, 18 Jun 2014, 12:59
to me
What in god's name is this all about? I don't understand a word of it.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Orpheus Instituut <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, Jun 18, 2014 at 12:39 PM
Subject: Call for Proposals ORCiM Seminar 2014 'From Output to Impact'
To: [email protected]
CALL FOR PROPOSALS ORCiM Seminar 2014 FROM OUTPUT TO IMPACT 19-20 November 2014 Ghent, Belgium
The seventh International ORCiM Seminar, organised at the Orpheus Institute, offers the opportunity for contributors from around the world to gather and explore the theme of:
FROM OUTPUT TO IMPACT
The integration of artistic research results into musical training
The Orpheus Institute (Ghent), together with the Centre of Excellence in Music Performance Education (NAM, Oslo), wishes to explore the potential of this topic as part of a longer-term effort.
For the present seminar, the debate is framed in a wider perspective through the keynote by Prof. Dr. Dirk Van Damme, head of Innovation and Measuring Progress Division in the OECD Directorate for Education and Skills.
The seminar will take place at the Orpheus Institute in Ghent, Belgium on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 November 2014.
Proposals are welcomed from the global pool of interested experts, ranging from artist-teachers to artistic researchers, and from students to policy makers, in order to bring practices, concepts and innovation to the floor of a two-day conference.
Deadline for Proposals: August 25, 2014
Download the call through this link.
Send us your proposal through [email protected].
Visit the ORCiM Seminar 2014 event page through this link.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Wed, 18 Jun 2014, 13:11
to Frederic
I don't know, this institute language is starting to drive me crazy.
I have to be there so afterwards I'll tell you what it was all about.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Thu, 26 Jun 2014, 22:05
to Frederic
call you back in a few minutes
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Thu, 26 Jun 2014, 22:05
to Frederic
talking to my mother at the moment
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Thu, 26 Jun 2014, 22:27
to me
André de Groote
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Mon, 30 Jun 2014, 21:41
to me
When r u coming here exactly?
Ode to the Deserter
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
28 June 2014 at 19:21
To: [email protected]
This is the piece I wrote for the Brecht-Eisler Chor and several other similar groups in Belgium in connection with the centenary of World War I. It will be performed here in September.
It's on the 20th at 8 pm, and on the 21st at 2 pm and 6 pm.
There will be about 150 singers,
Instead of doing an event on heroism, patriotism, sacrifice, etc., this theater (Kaaitheater) chooses to celebrate desertion!
If you go on the website of the Kaaitheater there is a short video about it.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
30 June 2014 at 11:12
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
I'd like to be there in September. We'll see.
I just played War Songs in Berlin on Saturday on an old very out of tune but interesting piano. Noemi came to listen.
I'm coming to Brussels this next weekend. Will you be there?
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
30 June 2014 at 12:27
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Yes, I expect to be here. I'm staying put until I finish Igor's piece, after which I have to get wotk on the piano concerto again. But in any case I don't think I am going anywhere, unless I get depressed.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
30 June 2014 at 18:56
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
That sounds like a very reasonable schedule you're keeping. Then let's chat sometime this week before I come to Brussels. Hasta luego
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
30 June 2014 at 19:05
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
I'm on a roll, so I think I'll just keep writing until my left hand drops off. Of course it will take some days before I have any idea if it's any good or not.
Yesterday Noam's piece "Pétrin" (travail de fin d'études at his school) was spooky, like a vampire movie, or a Tibetan funeral, or some kind of franc-maçonnerie, or just kids playing at scary games. Very dark anyhow, sometimes completely so, everybody was standing, you couldn't tell if the person next to you was just a person or one of the actors, at times they were apparently crawling on the floor, slithering around brushing up against your legs like some kind of cat. There was some clanging of gongs and some Living Theater- style chanting, very little talking but in any case in some kind of incomprehensible muffled jabberwocky. A woman who had been wrapped in plastic in a coffin the whole time suddenly woke up at the end when somebody squeezed the white of an egg (and finally the yolk) out of a tube on her, genuinely disgusting, and then she gradually crawled out of the coffin into a paralyzed position on the floor and it was over. It seemed anticlimactic when the lights came on, the actors bowed properly and everybody applauded.
This made me think of a piece by Nam June Paik which I saw at Mary Bauermeister's studio in Cologne in June of 1960, a similar-sized space with maybe 50 or 60 people packed pretty closely. Paik had a motorcycle in front of the audience and turned it on, then turned the lights out and left. People waited for a few minutes to see what would happen, with the motorcycle chugging away belching smoke into the air (this was Germany,15 years after the war). When it became clear that nothing was going to happen, somebody fumbled around and found the light switch, then turned off the motorcycle and opened a window. Noam's piece had the same 60's avant-garde feeling to it, except for the ending...
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
1 July 2014 at 10:42
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Are there more performances of his piece? This is a very interesting description of it, and it sounds very dark indeed. Was the ending anticlimactic because of the piece or because of the applause and formal bowing?
I have no way of imaging what Germany was like 15 years after the war but I'm fascinated that current theater from young people reminds you of what some theater was like back then.
I'll come up and Sunday and spend the night before going to Ghent on Monday. Is that OK?
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
1 July 2014 at 12:25
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
See you on Sunday.
Democracy Now
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Fri, 4 Jul 2014, 21:00
to me
today's show is almost entirely devoted to Pete Seeger, I recommend it.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Fri, 4 Jul 2014, 23:46
to Frederic
thanks for sending this message. that was a very enjoyable hour.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Fri, 11 Jul 2014, 09:31
to Frederic
Hi Fred, do you have the score to your Lunapark piece scanned?
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Fri, 11 Jul 2014, 09:31
to Frederic
Someone is interested in pittsburgh
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Fri, 11 Jul 2014, 09:55
to me
3 Attachments
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Fri, 11 Jul 2014, 10:53
to Frederic
Hi Fred, these are either ghost files (who knows what that means) or shortcuts to the real files. They are each 1kb each so they don't contain the information I need.
Sorry for the trouble but if you can look again that would be helpful. Otherwise, I'll write Ralph. It would be a good excuse to contact him anyway.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Fri, 11 Jul 2014, 14:41
to me
I don't understand this. I can open it on my hard drive, but for some reason it won't go thru.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Fri, 11 Jul 2014, 14:44
to me
So I obviously need this myself. So if you reach Ralph ask him to send it to me and you both.
Also, as you can see there are no parts, because each band should make its own orchestration. Bu it would be useful to have a score and parts of the version that Lunapark made, since it seemed to work fine. Ask him if he could send that as well.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Fri, 11 Jul 2014, 15:42
to me
I think this should work. Let me know...
Fwd: Coming Together a Pittsburgh sara' suonato stasera
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Sun, 13 Jul 2014, 17:33
to me
Do you know this guy Ryan McMasters?
http://www.nonameplayers.org/index.php/our-2014-season/resounding-courage
http://www.showclix.com/event/3819914
it was on last week's City Paper short list:
http://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/short-list-july-3-10/Content?oid=1762354Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Sun, 13 Jul 2014, 19:55
to Frederic
I don't know the guy. Did you ask Federico if he knows him?
The people I know who work in Pittsburgh are all out-of-towners who come occupy the new music scene every July and then go home again.
war songs
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Sat, 19 Jul 2014, 12:19
to me
It's nice. Too bad the recording isn't so hot. There seems to be a lot of shuffling, maybe people going in and out?
Also I noticed there seem to be two kinds of dynamics, one (somewhat static) when you play the written stuff, then it seems to come alive in a different way when you improvise. This has a slightly schizoid effect. I suggest you try to apply the same or similar dynamic curve to both of these, so that it becomes harder to tell when you pass from one to the other. (Suppose, for example, that you are telling the story of Julius Caesar, some of which is documented and some of which you make up, but in a way that one can't know which is which.)
Finally, you seem to want to make it one continuous piece with no interruptions. I don't quite see the reason for this. There are, after all, cadences and double bars. I think it's good to leave breathing spaces so that one has a moment to think about what is going on. This must happen too in war, when suddenly there is a crazy moment when nothing is happening...
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Sun, 20 Jul 2014, 17:38
to Frederic
Interesting observations, especially regarding the dynamics, and I'll see what i can do with it on Tuesday for the concert in France. One of my neighbours came with his two year-old and they were walking around during the performance, which I thought was nice at the time, but doesn't make for the best recording.
Rubinstein in Berlin
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Mon, 21 Jul 2014, 19:42
to me
This fellow has made a number of versions of this piece. I keep telling him to take it back to the drawing-board. I think this is the best version so far. I would be interested to hear your opinion.
Greetings,
FR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgsODatknBo
Preview YouTube video Rubinstein in Berlin by Frederic Rzewski. Ashley Hribar - Piano
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Mon, 28 Jul 2014, 21:41
to Frederic
I think it's a pretty great performance. I enjoyed every minute. This is the second performance of Ashley's of this piece, I've seen.
I particularly like how he plays the Chopin parts.
Fwd: Invitation to Oct. 29 Symposium inspired by Marvin, "Reconstructing Beethoven's Improvisations"
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Thu, 28 Aug 2014, 21:20
to me
Do you know any of these people?
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Margaret Minsky" <[email protected]>
Date: 28 Aug 2014 00:21
Subject: Invitation to Oct. 29 Symposium inspired by Marvin, "Reconstructing Beethoven's Improvisations"
To: "Frederic Rzewski" <[email protected]>
Cc: "Cynthia Solomon" <[email protected]>
Dear Frederic,
It has been a while since I emailed with you about our republication project of Marvin's "Music, Mind, and Meaning".
It was a great gift to my father to receive your dedicated Toccata at that time.
We have had many consequent discussions over the past few months about improvisation, composition, Minsky, and the Mind.
One result is is an invitational one-day Symposium, that will take place this Oct 29.
Entitled "Reconstructing Beethoven's Improvisations" the intent is really a wide-ranging reclaiming of classical improvisation using Beethoven's work as a jumping-off point, in part because my father identifies with Beethoven so closely.
I do not know much about your travel schedule these days...if there is any way that you could join us for this invitational event, it would be a great joy for us.
We hope it will be a stimulating day of discussion and music-making.
Please let us know if there is any chance to see you then, and if not, if you will be traveling in the States anytime soon I am sure that my father would be delighted to have some time with you.
all the best,
Margaret Minsky
-------------------------------
Reconstructing Beethoven’s Improvisations is an invitational Symposium featuring expert presenters and an involved, participatory audience, who are equipped to reclaim classical improvisation by re-imagining and thinking about Beethoven's music as a focus.
The agenda of the workshop is to:
• understand the mind; in particular how improvisation informs us about music and mind.
• understand improvisation’s role in musical genius, journeyman music, and the roles and skills of musicians.
• reconstruct or reimagine Beethoven's improvisations, a skill for which he was known in both public and private settings.
• reconstruct or reimagine the relationship of Beethoven’s improvisation process to his composition process.
• discuss and play with ideas about improvisation, thinking, and learning.
Marvin Minsky’s ideas about thinking, his life in music as a classical improviser, and his paper “Music, Mind, and Meaning”, are inspirations for this symposium.
The perception of Beethoven in both music scholarship and popular conception is moving from caricatures of Beethoven as an angry, lonely genius toward a more nuanced view of Beethoven as a driven artist with a loyal collection of friends and active social life. Understanding of his mind and his music is enriched by this recent surge in interest. Some even take the view that he invented many of the 20th century's musical ideas (and then some!).
The Symposium will take place Oct 29, 2014. The venue will be the MIT Media Lab Complex, Amherst St, Cambridge, MA, USA.
A small (about 50) participatory audience of faculty, performers, and graduate students will be invited to attend.
Hosts:
• Prof. Tod Machover, Muriel R. Cooper Professor of Music and Media, MIT Media Lab
• Prof. Jonathan Berger, The Denning Family Provostial Professor in Music, Stanford University
Presenters:
• Jonathan Biss, Prof. Curtis Institute, Internationally acclaimed concert pianist, recording cycle of Beethoven Sonatas, successful Coursera MOOC on Beethoven Sonatas
• Noam Elkies, Chair, Harvard Math Dept. and Juilliard graduate
• Robert Levin, former chair, Harvard Music Dept., Internationally-known Pianist and Classical Improviser
• Marvin Minsky, MIT Professor, AI founder, Improviser
• Stephen Prutsman, San Francisco, Pianist and Improviser
• Jan Swafford, Prof of Composition Boston Conservatory, music biographer, author of "Beethoven: Anguish and Triumph"
Advisory Board:
• Jonathan Berger, The Denning Family Provostial Professor in Music, Stanford University
• Michael Hawley, EG Conference Leader, First Place Van Cliburn Competition, Explorer
• Tod Machover, Muriel R. Cooper Professor of Music and Media, MIT Media Lab
• Margaret Minsky, Multimedia Consultant
• Teresa Marrin Nakra, Associate Professor of Music,The College of New Jersey
• Cynthia Solomon, Educational Technology Consultant
• Tom Vignieri, Composer, Music Director of NPR’s “From the Top” Radio Show
This event is presented in collaboration with the MIT Media Lab and the Stanford MUSIC and the BRAIN Symposium.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Fri, 29 Aug 2014, 14:06
to Frederic
I've only heard of Jonathan Biss - sort of a boring seeming pianist - and of course Bob Levin.
Did they invite you to go to this??
I'll be in the USA that day actually but I don't know about these conference things. They can be extremely boring.
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
4 September 2014
Frederic Rzewski - 20:47Do you know a pianist named Matthew Weissman?
Bobby Mitchell - 20:48yes, I met him once.
He plays some of your music, I think.
Frederic Rzewski - 20:49He just called me.
Bobby Mitchell - 20:50what about?
Frederic Rzewski - 20:50He's doing some kind of dissertation.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:04oh, one of those.
well he did seem interesting on the phone?
this is a good performance I think:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqXLfANpCao
what video of il desertore do you mean?
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Mon, 15 Sept 2014, 15:28
to me
Look for "Sono un povero disertore".
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Tue, 16 Sept 2014, 18:06
to me
Came across this which might be interesting:
http://www.waltercosand.com/CosandScores/Composers%20A-D/Czerny,%20Carl/Anleitung_zum_Fantasieren_auf_dem_Pianoforte-Op.200.pdf
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Tue, 16 Sept 2014, 19:25
to Frederic
Hi Fred, I know this treatise on improvisation. It's sort of interesting, but not in the ways you would expect.
One person claimed this about it in Oxford last week: that Czerny wrote this treatise on improvisation explicitly because the art of improvising was dying out in concert life in the 1830's, and he wanted to codify how it was done. I find that very interesting.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Tue, 16 Sept 2014, 23:04
to me
SoyouknowthistextofCzerny
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
28 September 2014
Frederic Rzewski - 21:05Did you say you were coming here on Tuesday?
Bobby Mitchell - 21:06yes, is that OK?
Frederic Rzewski - 21:06Yes, what time?
Bobby Mitchell - 21:06my train should arrive at 17.30 so around 18, good with you?
Frederic Rzewski - 21:06Fine.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:07OK. what should I bring?
Frederic Rzewski - 21:07No matter.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:08OK.
Frederic Rzewski - 21:08Ideas.
I got an idea for opening the piano concerto today.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:08OK, I have a few of those up my sleeve.
oh yeah?
Frederic Rzewski - 21:10It goes: dum, dum-dum, dum-dum, dum-dum, m dumdumdum, and so on.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:10Maybe it will be more effective if you sing this to me on Tuesday.
Frederic Rzewski - 21:10The question is, will they pay me?
Bobby Mitchell - 21:11Didn't they already pay you half? I guess a lot can happen between now and the next half.
Frederic Rzewski - 21:12That was ok for a while. But now I have to pay Belgian taxes, a serious matter. And the Germans are silent as the grave.
This music business is a bummer. It was fine when wives and children didn't ask me for money. But now they do.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:14I can clearly see the problem.
Frederic Rzewski - 21:14I'm supposed to be famous and so rich.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:14I just don't know if I can think of a solution.
Frederic Rzewski - 21:14No, you don't have one. Just bring some booze.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:14Well you're certainly reputable but that doesn't mean people assume you are rich.
Oh I will definitely bring that. I have just the one under my piano.
I am feeling ill. I think I'll go either watch a movie or go unconscious.
Frederic Rzewski - 21:16I just came back from the cinematheque. Novecento by Bertolucci from 1973, a masterpice.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:16oh grazie, maybe i will find a way to watch it on my computer.
Frederic Rzewski - 21:16It's 6 hours long.
Really good music by Ennio Morricone.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:17well I might as well start now then.
Morricone was a motherfucker.
So did you watch all 6 hours today?
Frederic Rzewski - 21:17What do you mean "was"?
Bobby Mitchell - 21:18oh is he still alive? whoops.
Frederic Rzewski - 21:18No, 3 hours yesterday and the other half today.
The cinematheque is one of the best things about Brussels.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:18ok very nice.
where is it?
Frederic Rzewski - 21:19There are two locations.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:19where do you go?
Frederic Rzewski - 21:19Both of them.
One costs 3 uros, the other 5.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:20I almost went to the Kino tonight too but everything looks like bad hollywood dubbed in German.
Wow, that's brilliant.
Ok I'm going to disappear and watch this movie on my computer, hasta luego
Frederic Rzewski - 21:21I almost never go to the commercial cinemas. At the cinematheque I can see the great films of the last century.
They showed all of Fellini last month.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:21That's an unusual and quite a remarkable resource.
They only place I had access to something like that was in Rochester, NY.
Frederic Rzewski - 21:22Also they are shown in a real space with a real screen, not some kind of video.
tomorrow
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Thu, 2 Oct 2014, 00:35
to Frederic
Hi Fred, I would be happy if you felt like coming to listen tomorrow. Paulo is also excited by the idea that you might come.
The address of the Orpheus institute is 12 Korte Meer, Gent. Our show starts at 18:15, and at 17:30 they start pouring some sort of cava or something. Afterwards there is a nicely catered dinner so I also hope you would have time to join us for that.
It would be sort of risky to catch the 17:05 to Gent, but you might still make it on time. The or 16:26 or 16:29 from Brussels Midi might be better.
upon arriving in Gent, take the Tram 1 (destination Evergem) to the 'Korte Meer' stop and get out. Walk in the same direction the tram was going for 20 or 30 meters, and the institute is on your left side.
If you let me know before you leave home (via SMS or email) I'll let them know so someone will be ready to open the door and welcome you etc etc.
See you!
Bobby
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Thu, 2 Oct 2014, 15:18
to me
Hello Bobby,
I'm not going to make the Schumann bash tonight. With some difficulty I have managed to make an appointment to speak with Esther this evening, and I think I should keep it. Good luck.
John Cage told me you should always record your improvisations. Make sure somebody does it and gives you a copy. That way I can at least hear something...
Best, FR
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Thu, 2 Oct 2014, 15:58
to Frederic
Ok, no worries. I'll write more later. Hi to esther
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Fri, 3 Oct 2014, 16:00
to Frederic
Hi Fred,
I think you made a good decision not to come step inside this institute in Ghent. Better to stay at home.
You may have enjoyed our show, but who knows. I recorded my improvs and will send them to you soon.
Cheers, Bobby
I found this interesting, even inspiring
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Mon, 6 Oct 2014, 22:03
to Frederic
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/michael-brown-protesters-interrupt-st-louis-symphony-orchestra-concert/article_bfd2b377-8da4-56f8-aa8d-64bf714e0114.html
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Sun, 5 Oct 2014, 22:48
to me
I was trying and failing to buy a eurostar ticket.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Mon, 6 Oct 2014, 23:51
to me
There were 50 people demonstrating, all of whom bought a ticket. There weren't many people in the audience, so from the orchestra's viewpoint they made a difference. I wonder why they didn't stay for the music.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Tue, 7 Oct 2014, 00:01
to Frederic
I also don't understand why they didn't stay and listen.
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
7 October 2014
Frederic Rzewski - 10:04Maybe they weren't paying customers. Maybe they got in with the help of some musicians. How would management know if they paid or not?
Bobby Mitchell - 10:05I think that would be have been too complicated.
probably they had tickets and came in just like everyone else, i.e. they paid
Frederic Rzewski - 10:06doesn't make sense.
If they had paid, at least some of them would have stayed. Maybe they did. Non quadra, as th Italians say.
Some orchestra musicians were applauding.
Bobby Mitchell - 10:08etwas stimmt nicht.
Frederic Rzewski - 10:08I think it was an inside job.
Bobby Mitchell - 10:08yeah i saw that.
maybe so.
i suppose we'll never know.
Frederic Rzewski - 10:09I think it may catch on.
Opera houses are an abvious target.
That's where th rich gather`.
When the rich are caugh with their pans down, that's when the flash bulbs start popping.
Bobby Mitchell - 10:11yeah this could be the big catalyst
this could be the beginning of a serious revolution
Frederic Rzewski - 10:13I'm thinking of dedicating my piano conerto to the memory of Jacob George.
Bobby Mitchell - 10:15I think that's a nice idea
Beethoven Op 77 on imslp
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>Fri, 17 Oct 2014, 12:16
to me
Like an idiot, I can't figure out how to print it out. Can you send it to me as a pdf?
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Sun, 19 Oct 2014, 19:25
to Frederic
Hi Fred, am still in Bodio Lomnago, on the other side of the lake of Varese as Varese, and can't really find a way to send this to you as a .pdf. Try opening the file and when you try to print it, make sure your printing settings are something like "fit to page" - sometimes that helps.
Otherwise Im worse at using computers than my 83 year old grandmother. She has a sharp learning curve for the stuff.
Northern Italy has been lovely. We played a nice concert here last night.
See you soon I hope, cheers, B
did you end up going to
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Mon, 27 Oct 2014, 09:22
to Frederic
Boston?
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Mon, 27 Oct 2014, 09:52
to me
Yes, back Friday.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Mon, 27 Oct 2014, 09:56
to Frederic
bon voyage, I go there tomorrow and will be back in mid November.
Fwd: Jetky Trio ce 12/11 LIVE a Bxl
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Fri, 7 Nov 2014, 14:45
to me
Début du message transféré :
Expéditeur: Jan Rzewski <[email protected]>
Date: 6 novembre 2014 20:29:31 HNEC
Objet: Jetky Trio ce 12/11 LIVE a Bxl
A la gare de BXL congres, 19h30
Free
The Jetsky Trio
Pascal Rousseau, tuba basse
Jan Rzewski, soprano sax
Emmanuel Louis, guitare et electronics
Welcome !Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Fri, 7 Nov 2014, 23:41
to Frederic
Would love to come but I'll be in London playing a little show of my own that night. Annette is coming actually.
How was your trip to Boston?
I'm going to a concert at the Library of Congress tonight and will meet some of the mystery figures involved with this commission.
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Fri, 14 Nov 2014, 11:43
to me
I am reharsing Thursday until 4, home after that. When are you coming?
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Fri, 14 Nov 2014, 13:19
to Frederic
With whom are you rehearsing?
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Fri, 14 Nov 2014, 13:19
to Frederic
I will definitely be coming after 4, maybe not until the evening.
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Fri, 14 Nov 2014, 23:49
to me
Let's talk about it. I have an idea for your piece.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Fri, 14 Nov 2014, 23:51
to me
I8 am rehearsing fo the concert I am playing with Walter Hus on the 22nd (2 pianos).
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Sat, 15 Nov 2014, 12:38
to Frederic
I want to be there on the 22nd but I have a concert myself that day.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Sat, 15 Nov 2014, 12:38
to Frederic
See you on Thur
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
16 November 2014
Frederic Rzewski - 18:02What time? Noemi is coming too I think.``
Bobby Mitchell - 18:05I don't know what time yet.
probably not before 7PM
Frederic Rzewski - 18:05No, Stéphane Ginsburgh is playing "Dear Diary" on the 22nd. Walter & I are playing on the 24th.
Bobby Mitchell - 18:05It will be nice to see Noemi again.
oh I see.
Frederic Rzewski - 18:06Where is yr concert?
Bobby Mitchell - 18:06On the 22nd I play in Basel
On the 19th I will play in Ghent with a violinist friend of mine, Eugene Feygelson.
Can I bring him to dinner on Thursday night?
Frederic Rzewski - 18:07Sure. Gotta go now, bye.
Bobby Mitchell - 18:07ok see you Thur
ciao
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
25 November 2014
Bobby Mitchell - 22:02http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venice#mediaviewer/File:Venice09.jpg
Frederic Rzewski - 22:10COMMERZBANK
Bobby Mitchell - 22:10ABCDEFG12345
This
2 messages
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
4 December 2014 at 17:24
To: [email protected]
is one of the universities Esther is considering:
http://gu.com/p/43pzv/sbl
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
4 December 2014 at 23:33
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Maybe Esther can still change the world. She is pretty smart.
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
16 December 2014
Frederic Rzewski - 21:27sound has crapped out. what time are you coming here?
ok no connection. Just send me a message.
don't knowBobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Tue, 16 Dec 2014, 21:30
to Frederic
what happened. anyway I just arrived in ghent and I have to run now in order to have a beer with someone I know who plays your music who I studied with in rochester, ny - michael noble, a young guy and good pianist.
I'll see you tomorrow night, hopefully on the earlier side of dinner but it's hard to predict.
hopefully i'll arriveBobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Tue, 16 Dec 2014, 21:31
to Frederic
around 6 or 7PM at the latest, but it's hard to know at this point. I will let you know tomorrow.
happy new year
7 messages
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
1 January 2015 at 18:15
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Hi Fred, happy new year. How was Ursula's visit?
I just saw these paintings called Nocturnes by an American artist named Whistler. https://www.asia.si.edu/explore/american/musicalTitles.asp#0
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and auld lang syne?
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
1 January 2015 at 18:24
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Tha
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
1 January 2015 at 18:36
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Thank you. I don't know these paintings at all. I didn't know there were paintings in the Smithsonian. I just remember things like old typewriters.
Ursula and Jerry were here on Xmas day, plus Jan and his two kids, Nicole (Jan's mother), Noemi, Noam, and Stéphane Ginsburgh. Stéphane made the pasta sauce. Nothing particularly eventful happened. Jerry and Stéphane spent a great deal of the evening talking piano shop talk, mostly about pianists I've never heard of. I thought I knew something about this area, but obviously I'm wrong.
I think I've finished sketching your 3 nocturnes. They're called "Winter Nights". Of course now the real work begins. Composing is just fun. I might actually b able to send you a copy in a month or so.
On Thu, Jan 1, 2015 at 6:15 PM, Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]> wrote:
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
2 January 2015 at 16:10
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Dear Fred,
There is some interesting art in the Smithsonians although most of the good stuff is in the National Gallery of Art. The Freer/Sachler where I saw these Whistler nocturnes is not the most interesting museum. I went to the Air and Space and saw the Apollo 11 thing - it's hard to imagine that those things actually flew to the moon.
Christmas at your place sounds like it was fun. I'm sure I'm also clueless about the new and upcoming pianists of today. I hope you said hello to Ursula and Stéphane for me.
I'm pleased and eager to hear the three nocturnes - 'Winter Nights' seems like a very suitable title. If you can't finish the grunt work before the end of January, I'll be back in Belgium then so hopefully we can meet and you could play them for me.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
2 January 2015 at 16:11
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
PS Congrats on the Spotify record of the year. I hope that will help people listen to Corey's new CD. It seems like he has a good publicity team or something.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
2 January 2015 at 17:15
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
There's yet another of these Wunderkinder playing People United. Benjamin Hochman, have you heard of him?
As for the nocturnes, I thought I would send Eleanore Schonmaier the manuscript and ask her if she wants to spend some money to give it to you, do you mind? Then we can blow it on a good restaurant somewhere.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
2 January 2015 at 17:33
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
I think I've only heard of Benjamin Hochman because you mentioned him once. He won one of those huge prizes or something. I've never heard anything about him otherwise.
That's one of the most intelligent ideas I've ever heard. Absolutely you should send her the manuscript - and she had expressed interest in coming to one or another of my shows in Belgium this February, so that could be a great time to do the wining and dining.
Night One
6 messages
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
6 January 2015 at 16:43
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Your friend David Pylar wrote me yesterday. Are you going to see him again?
Now he wants this violinist Jennifer Koh. She's proably a good fiddler, but is she interested in my music? She wants the score already by this summer, which is impossible.
Why doesn't he hire you and a fiddler of your choosing? He seems to want a big name that will bring in the rich Washington ladies...
Attached the first of the 3 nocturnes, will send the others as they emerge.
Night One.pdf
2014K
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
7 January 2015 at 11:52
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Hi Fred,
I played through the Nocturne last night at what seemed like a very late hour, since I am seriously jet-lagged, and enjoyed myself. I think it might indeed have the ability to put someone to sleep. There are hard passages too, which I like! I have an addiction to practicing so that will give me something to sink my teeth into.
So I talked to David Plylar just once when I was back in America. He's hopeless for me. I'll never get this gig because he's afraid of charges of nepotism and I'm not in the category of 'famous classical musician', so sadly I don't see any hope for this at all. Which is a huge pity and I'm disappointed, but that doesn't help things.
But if you really think I should get the gig and pick a violinist of my choosing, then why don't you say that to him? I think that would be the only route towards persuading him.
I just got back to Freiburg last night. I was stuck in Iceland for a day which was a strange experience - like spending a day on the moon.
I'll be in Belgium at the end of the month. I hope we can meet then.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
7 January 2015 at 12:54
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Ursula says I have to do what they want, since they are paying for it. I think she means I have to do what she wants. She wants Jennifer Koh, which is fine with me. So maybe Ursula will play the piano, which is of course fine with me as well. All I really care about is getting a contract.
I'm going to Vienna on the 29th, back on the 4th.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
7 January 2015 at 17:24
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
I can well believe that he is worried about nepotism. He probably has enemies, as does anyone who has a job like that in that town, because if they have such a job, it is precisely because of nepotism. If he got the job through some Democrat, there must be a Republican who wants it. Probably somebody is returning a favor to his father. So forget it, chum!
But who knows how I got into this picture? I just hope I get out of it safe and sound...
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
7 January 2015 at 20:57
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Yeah, I should give up hope completely. For me it would be a home ball game which would be kind of fun. But they are clearly not interested and I've tried my very best to ensnare myself in this matter with no success. I didn't push it at all last time I saw my friend David so I have officially given up.
If you and he both get out of this safe, I will be very pleased. On the other hand, maybe something I've done or said will lose him his job and you the gig.
I can hopefully come over to Brussels on Sunday night the 25th before you go to Vienna.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
7 January 2015 at 21:15
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
That sounds good. By that time I should have this stuff copied and we can talk about it. When I say "copy" I mean "write". I may think I've written something, but until it actually exists it's just a dream.
I wouldn't get depressed over this Washington gig. After all, it's probably just a bunch of old rich ladies. I never even knew there was any music in Washington. MEV once played at the Wolf Trap festival, which is around the corner from the CIA.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Mon, 12 Jan 2015, 20:34
to me
Did you get the score?
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Tue, 13 Jan 2015, 00:39
to Frederic
I just got it now. am looking at it. very interesting.
Night 2
3 messages
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
12 January 2015 at 16:26
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Night 2.pdf
462K
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
13 January 2015 at 00:39
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Hi Fred, this looks very interesting and I'd love to get my hands on it right now but I'm afraid it will have to wait until tomorrow. I tried some of it on the clavichord but basically that was going nowhere.
Thanks a lot for sending and maybe we'll catch up soon.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
13 January 2015 at 15:38
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
This is extremely beautiful music. I am very touched by it right now after the first play through.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Sun, 8 Feb 2015, 09:37
to me
Time to pack up and head for Pittsburgh.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Sun, 8 Feb 2015, 11:19
to Frederic
already?
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Sun, 8 Feb 2015, 17:09
to Frederic
what was the last straw?
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
12 February 2015
Bobby Mitchell - 11:36can you send me Igor Levit's email address?
I just wrote him an email and it says 'this email address is no longer in use'
Frederic Rzewski - 11:47[email protected]
Bobby Mitchell - 11:49Thanks
Re: An idea...Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Wed, 11 Feb 2015, 19:44
to: me
This story somehow grabs me.
From the Telegraph:
Anne Naysmith, pianist - obituaryFormer concert pianist who worked with Sir Adrian Boult and ended her life living rough on the streets of West London
Anne Naysmith, who has died aged about 77, enjoyed a promising career as a pianist in the 1960s but latterly achieved notoriety as “the car lady of Chiswick”, a dishevelled and familiar sight to commuters in west London; she lived first in her dilapidated old blue Ford Consul and then in bushes by an Underground station.
Her concert career took her to the Wigmore Hall in 1967, where a critic noted that in her performance of Rachmaninov’s Preludes Op 23 she “blossomed most fully as an artist and drew some of the warmest and richest sonorities from her piano”. There were appearances at Leighton House in Holland Park, St Martin-in-the-Fields, St James’s Piccadilly, and venues in the Home Counties. She is said to have performed under the conductor Sir Adrian Boult.
However, after being evicted at the age of 39 from her home in Prebend Gardens, a pretty street of Victorian villas in Chiswick, Annie, as she was known locally, spent 26 years sleeping in her car. When that was towed away, she declined the offer of social housing, preferring a makeshift shelter by Stamford Brook Underground station, tending her plants and shrubs. That too was removed in August 2012 by Transport for London contractors, leaving her distraught.
Contempt for the world
Some commentators drew parallels with Miss Shepherd, the musician who lived in a van on the driveway of Alan Bennett’s home in Camden and was immortalised in his play The Lady in the Van (1999). Others saw a link to Diogenes the Cynic, the Greek philosopher who showed his contempt for the material world by sleeping in a large ceramic jar or barrel.
She was born Anne Smith at Southend-on-Sea in 1937, adding the “Nay” in later life. Her father, an Army officer of whom she had no memory, failed to return home from leave one day. In due course her Russian mother, Marie, who desperately wanted a high-profile musical career for her daughter, moved them to Hounslow, west London. They became estranged and Anne lived briefly with her aunt “Tutts” in Devon.
Studying with Harold Craxton
By the age of 18 Anne had won a place at the Royal Academy of Music, studying with Harold Craxton and Liza Fuchsova. She rented a room in Chiswick, which she soon upgraded to a house, and began teaching piano at the Marist convent school in Sunninghill, Berkshire. Later she worked at Trinity College of Music, quickly saving the £800 cost of her car.
By the early 1960s Anne was making a respectable if not spectacular career in music, but within a decade her life fell apart. Her performing career never fulfilled its early promise; she withdrew from teaching for reasons that were never explained; and an intense affair with “a handsome 6ft 5in choral singer” disintegrated.
Her eviction was, she believed, an injustice. By way of protest she began sleeping in her car – apparently her sole remaining possession of substance – insisting to anyone who came near that she should be allowed back into her former home.
Anne Naysmith’s plight divided local residents, some of whom feared for the value of their homes, and in 2002 the Ford Consul was towed away. Others felt protective of their eccentric neighbour and provided her with a replacement – a Mercedes estate – but it was vandalised almost immediately.
Sometimes she would sit in on local court cases. On other days she could be found in the Barbican music library, examining scores or engaging in spirited and intelligent conversation about music and musicians; or she would chat with prommers outside the Albert Hall. On other occasions she would feed the pigeons and tend to the vegetation in her car-park home. Until recently she attended evensong at St Nicholas Church, Chiswick, her singing notable for its clarity and beauty.
Ghosting Rachmaninov
She was also a regular fixture at Chiswick cricket club, where she devised her own complex scoring system. Some thought that her fingers might be ghosting Rachmaninov during the bowler’s run-up. Whether or not they were, she applauded between balls, called out “good over” when appropriate, and engaged with her fellow spectators in informed discussion about the match’s progress.
Her ablutions were done in public lavatories or at a doctor’s surgery, and she washed her tattered clothes at a petrol station with a hose pipe, wrapping them in old newspapers to dry. She collected pigeon feathers, tying them round her feet with carrier bags to keep warm, and cooked on an open fire, giving her homemade tomato chutney to regular passers-by.
Media interest
After her third eviction in 2012 Anne Naysmith became something of a minor celebrity, featuring in profiles on blog sites, in newspapers and on BBC television. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph she told how being a professional pianist had killed her love of music. “I suppose I just wanted to practise for enjoyment instead of for a concert,” she said. Yet she insisted that she would have had no trouble picking it up again. “I haven’t touched a piano seriously for over 30 years,” she reflected. “But it’s like learning to swim: if I did it for two weeks I could rush out a few things quite quickly.”
From time to time there were attempts to help her off the streets, by both official agencies and well-meaning music-lovers. Most were politely declined: if she could not return to Prebend Gardens she would remain in her car. Others were rebuffed more ferociously. Mostly, as Steven Morris noted in The Guardian, she remained fiercely independent, proud and dignified.
Anne Naysmith, who died after being hit by a lorry in Chiswick High Road, never married.
Anne Naysmith, born 1937, died February 10, 2015
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
12 Feb 2015, 11:27
to Frederic
This is not just purely depressing like I expected such a story to be. This lady sounds like she led an interesting life. I would have liked to have met her.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
12 Feb 2015, 12:04
to me
No, there is a tragic love story there somewhere. I sent this to Annette, thinking she might find it interesting, but this was a mistake. She became furious and hurled lightningbolts at me for being "negative".
And this is interesting:
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph she told how being a professional pianist had killed her love of music. “I suppose I just wanted to practise for enjoyment instead of for a concert,” she said. Yet she insisted that she would have had no trouble picking it up again. “I haven’t touched a piano seriously for over 30 years,” she reflected. “But it’s like learning to swim: if I did it for two weeks I could rush out a few things quite quickly.”
timing for different parts of the Road
6 messages
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
22 February 2015 at 08:13
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Hi Fred,
How long is each part of the Road in terms of playing time?
Very nice video with Daan, I enjoyed it immensely!
Bobby
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
22 February 2015 at 10:02
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Parts I-IV maybe 2 hours
Part V 1 hour
Part VI idem
Part VII ca. 100 min
Part VIII possibly 2 to 2 1/2 hours
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
22 February 2015 at 17:06
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Thank you, that's very useful information.
I just performed The Flood (in between the two Haydn pieces you heard me play on Thursday night) today in this village concert. It went extremely well.
I didn't remind you I was doing this on Thursday because I was planning to cancel, because I didn't feel prepared. But I practiced all weekend (while stuck in this huge house in the countryside) and I think it was a great performance. Anyway the audience liked it, whatever that means. I don't think it was recorded unfortunately.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
22 February 2015 at 17:18
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Did you sing the Shelley song?
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
22 February 2015 at 17:19
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Yes. It's a good song. People told me I wouldn't win the Queen Elizabeth for singing, but I took that as a compliment.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
22 February 2015 at 17:29
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Some people asked why you didn't come to listen and I so I reminded them that the place where I played is impossible to get to.
try this link
2 messages
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
10 March 2015 at 18:20
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
http://www.radio4.nl/zoeken/%22Frederic%20Rzewski%22 and then click on luister concert
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
10 March 2015 at 18:29
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
I did what you said but then nothing happens.
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
22 March 2015
Frederic Rzewski - 18:50I can't get any sound out of this, can you?
https://ftp99n2.wdr.de/download.php?id=2e7ea8c46874cbc0c6111fd545b68f3e
Bobby Mitchell - 18:51Yes, that link sent me straight to a file to download
and I downloaded it and yes I hear sound
Frederic Rzewski - 18:51I alsop downloaded it, but I can't get it to do anything. Does that mean I have to buy a new computer?
Bobby Mitchell - 18:52I don't know what it means
is your volume turned all the way down?
I think we are both overdue on our tax to Apple
Frederic Rzewski - 18:52No, it's all the way up.
Bobby Mitchell - 18:53then.... this problem lies outside the realm of my expertise.
Frederic Rzewski - 18:53=a bug help you are.
Bobby Mitchell - 18:54I could give you some good fingerings for the Chopin 3rd sonata if you'd like
but with this, I can't help you
Re: A pile of ...
2 messages
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
30 March 2015 at 13:37
To: Esther Rzewski <[email protected]>, Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
BTw,
I made this scan of "Il Babbo", which I guess you probably have.
This is a very nice piece, I would like to find a good ocasion to play it!
Il Babbo.pdf
1359K
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
31 March 2015 at 16:29
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Cc: Esther Rzewski <[email protected]>, jan rzewski <[email protected]>
Esther, I just played through your piece and I also think it's very nice. It captures your father's personality and is a nice hommage to him. Keep writing music!
Fred, I just arranged everything so that I'll arrive on Heidelberg on Saturday afternoon the 11th and will leave on Sunday night the 12th after Igor plays 'Dreams 5-8' and before he plays the Goldbergs, in order to catch the last train to Freiburg. I'm staying in a hotel near yours on Saturday night (yours was already sold out).
Looking forward!
Bobby
winter nights two questions
2 messages
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
2 April 2015 at 15:32
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Hi Fred,
On the last page of the third winter night, third stave, second bar, is that a grace note B followed by a trill with main note A? Should the trill consist of a and b or a and Bb? it's hard to read there.
And just to confirm: 5th stave on that same page, end of second bar, that chord consists of G, C, and E, right?
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
2 April 2015 at 15:37
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
B natural, seems very clear to me. Yes, g c e.
how's heidelberg?
2 messages
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
9 April 2015 at 08:34
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Hi Fred, are you having a nice time? How are the performances?
If all goes well, I will arrive on Saturday around 3PM at the main train station and then go check in my hotel. Are you reachable on your mobile phone?
See you soon,
Bobby
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
10 April 2015 at 12:15
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
+32 465874790.
Not sure of schedule, maybe rehearsing for concert at 6.
happy birthday
5 messages
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
13 April 2015 at 12:55
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Here is some birthday reading for you:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30937492
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
13 April 2015 at 19:11
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Thanks! Still here, so all is well...
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
13 April 2015 at 20:15
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Did you take first class?
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
13 April 2015 at 21:34
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
No
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
14 April 2015 at 01:35
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Anyway it's not that much better
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
26 April 2015
Frederic Rzewski - 23:34Howdy
Bobby Mitchell - 23:34Howdy partner
Frederic Rzewski - 23:35So you are alive?
Bobby Mitchell - 23:35why doesn't this chat thing work?
me, yes, why?
Frederic Rzewski - 23:35What do you mean?
Bobby Mitchell - 23:35i can't call you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLQKHnkyseI
well it was fun while it lasted
Frederic Rzewski - 23:53I don't understand anything.
Frederic Rzewski - 00:54You did not send me the link.
Bobby Mitchell - 00:56really?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLQKHnkyseI
sorry for my delayed reply, I just went and took a nice long piss
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
29 April 2015
Bobby Mitchell - 09:58Hi Fred, my plans have changed a little bit
can I come through and crash with you on Sunday night?
(before I have to go to Ghent on Monday)
Frederic Rzewski - 09:59Certainly
Bobby Mitchell - 10:01Great, see you then
Tomorrow
2 messages
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
2 May 2015 at 17:06
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
I will arrive at 13:35 at the station. What are you doing? I'll come to your place after that I guess, and I opened my big mouth to ask Stephane Ginsburgh what he's doing tomorrow afternoon and now I might have to help him move some furniture or something.
I'm looking forward to playing in the Philharmonie tonight. There are big posters of you here.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
2 May 2015 at 17:21
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Physical work ennobles!
If I'm not at home you can call my cellphone. But I probably will be. I could come and meet you & Stéphane for a beer after you've finished your workout...
Fwd: I'm Still Here
3 messages
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
14 May 2015 at 18:28
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Tony de Mare's recording of my "arrangement" of the Stephen Sondheim tune.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: ANTHONY DE MARE <[email protected]>
Date: Tue, May 12, 2015 at 10:23 PM
Subject: I'm Still Here
To: [email protected]
A file has been sent to youfrom [email protected] via Hightail.
Hi Frederic,
Here is the final edit of "I'm Still Here". Reminder that it hasn't been mastered yet.
Enjoy!
Tony
De Mare 3rd edit Rzewski.wav
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
14 May 2015 at 19:19
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
this is extremely beautiful.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
14 May 2015 at 22:45
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Here's the score.
I'm Still Here.pdf
2571K
Re: Yesterday's concert
2 messages
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
17 May 2015 at 19:09
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Whatdo you think of this? Beethoven begins about 30 min in
On Sat, May 16, 2015 at 12:32 PM, Igor Levit <[email protected]> wrote:
http://www.br.de/radio/br-klassik/sendungen/br-symphonieorchester/2015-konzert-on-demand-so-bringuier-levit100.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitterBobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
17 May 2015 at 22:41
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
I just started listening to it. It sounds like any other pianist who plays this piece nowadays.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Mon, 18 May 2015, 16:48
to me
Jan & Pascal the tuba player are performing Friday eve.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Mon, 18 May 2015, 21:49
to me
they start at 8. can you be here earliert?
Fwd: Magic Duo (Rzewski-Rousseau) 22-5
3 messages
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
18 May 2015 at 10:48
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rzewski Jan <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, May 18, 2015 at 10:25 AM
Subject: Magic Duo (Rzewski-Rousseau) 22-5
FREE!!Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
19 May 2015 at 10:41
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
I'll be there! Yes, I can come to your house before their show, probably by 6:30 or 7:00 at the latest.
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
5 June 2015
Frederic Rzewski - 22:30what's new bro?
Bobby Mitchell - 01:19Not much, I'm spending most of my afternoons with you
Dreams or I'm still here or the old stuff like cotton mill
Talk soon
(no subject)
2 messages
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
6 June 2015 at 20:31
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
what do you think about this article?
http://www.salon.com/2015/06/04/we_are_in_a_revolutionary_moment_chris_hedges_explains_why_an_uprising_is_coming_%E2%80%94_and_soon/
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
6 June 2015 at 21:50
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
I agree with most of what he says, especially when he says that we don't know much. But I am convinced, not only that revolution is inevitable, but that it has already begun. But it's clear that it's going to be messy, because there is no organization.
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
7 June 2015
Frederic Rzewski - 23:23Give me a second, I'll go on the other computer.
Bobby Mitchell - 23:23okedoke
take your time
Frederic Rzewski - 23:27The other computer seems to be dead. Noam was using it. Can I call you back in half an hour?
Bobby Mitchell - 23:27sure thing, i'll be here
Frederic Rzewski - 23:27OK
Bobby Mitchell - 23:27if i'm not asleep by then
but i doubt it
Frederic Rzewski - 00:24I only liberated myself now.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Mon, 8 Jun 2015, 09:14
to Frederic
I was in bed by then...we'll do it soon
Do you know this guy?
7 messages
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
12 June 2015 at 23:23
To: [email protected]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV9S0h_Gg-k
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
12 June 2015 at 23:28
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
no never heard of him, but he certainly knows how to play the piano
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
13 June 2015 at 07:42
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
This was the semifinal of the Reine Eliksabeth 2013
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
13 June 2015 at 09:38
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
He can play the piano but somehow I also get the feeling that he's missed the whole point of the piece. It's too smooth or something.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
13 June 2015 at 10:03
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
He's not really dreaming...
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
13 June 2015 at 10:04
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Lust Eliane <[email protected]>
Date: Sat, Jun 13, 2015 at 9:35 AM
Subject: Re: Do you know this guy?
To: Rzewski Frederic <[email protected]>
Why yes, he is my husband!
ELIANE
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
13 June 2015 at 12:35
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
That pianist is Eliane's husband?? Is she sure?
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
14 June 2015
Bobby Mitchell - 21:53Hi Fred
I'm trying to call you but it's not working.
it says something like:
e're sorry but this product does not support your browser at this time.
Please install or use one of the browsers listed below. Thanks!
Chrome 37+Internet Explorer 9 (32-bit) or 10+Firefox 36+Safari 6+
how are you?
Frederic Rzewski - 21:54I'm talking to Noemi, I'll call you when we're done.
Bobby Mitchell - 21:54OK
Bobby Mitchell - 22:24fuck it's not working
it says i have to update my fucking browser
Frederic Rzewski - 22:25what are you trying to do?
Bobby Mitchell - 22:26i'm trying to answer your phone call
but instead it says this to me:
We're sorry but this product does not support your browser at this time.
Please install or use one of the browsers listed below. Thanks!
Chrome 37+Internet Explorer 9 (32-bit) or 10+Firefox 36+Safari 6+
Frederic Rzewski - 22:30Well, I don't understand
Bobby Mitchell - 22:30they won't let me answer your phone call
i also don't understand
it says my 'browser' is too old
Frederic Rzewski - 22:30If you give me an ordinary phone number I will call you
Bobby Mitchell - 22:31+497617669513
but that costs money
Frederic Rzewski - 22:32£1 US cent per minute
1 cent that is
Bobby Mitchell - 22:32oh that's pretty damn cheap
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
16 June 2015
Bobby Mitchell - 23:39We're sorry but this product does not support your browser at this time.
Please install or use one of the browsers listed below. Thanks!
Chrome 37+Internet Explorer 9 (32-bit) or 10+Firefox 36+Safari 6+
it doesn't work anymore. I have to buy a new computer
Frederic Rzewski - 23:42OK, another time then.
Look what I found
6 messages
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
16 June 2015 at 18:05
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
by chance on YouTube: my setting of the Declaration of Independence from 1970, which Carol Plantamura and I recorded in San Diego around 1980:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eCRX4_lkHI
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
16 June 2015 at 23:06
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
I've heard this before many times but I have the feeling just now that I heard it for the first time.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
16 June 2015 at 23:31
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
It has been a very long time since I have played this, but I do remember that it is one of the most difficult things I have ever played.
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
16 June 2015 at 23:33
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
it sounds extremely difficult but also worth the effort.
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
16 June 2015 at 23:36
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
You can only know that after you've done it...
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
23 June 2015
Frederic Rzewski - 22:44Are you really online?
Bobby Mitchell - 22:54yes but i don't think i can call you
my computer is too old or something
Frederic Rzewski - 22:54Very strange. One computer says you are there, the other says you are not there. Do you really exist?
Bobby Mitchell - 22:55well I don't know
according to descartes I only exist if I think
do you exist?
Bobby Mitchell - 23:36Hey Fred this video shit no longer works on my 'puter
it's hopeless, it's time for me to retire
and i'm not at home since we can't use my land line
Frederic Rzewski - 23:38OK, no matter, we should probably al be looking at our bellybuttons anyway.
Bobby Mitchell - 23:40yeah that's actually what I was doing when you called me
i'm meeting noemi tomorrow and then playing tomorrow night on a piano that apparently is totally decrepid
Frederic Rzewski - 23:44Those pianos are the best ones.
Bobby Mitchell - 23:48true
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
27 June 2015
Bobby Mitchell - 13:42I don't think it's gonna work on my old piece of garbage computer
i'm playing some of your stuff tnght in hannover
then i'll be home late monday night, let's do the land line thing next week
you go to Italy on 1st July right?
Frederic Rzewski - 13:43right
regards to ashley
Bobby Mitchell - 13:44i'll get you on the phone on tues evening
i will let him know!
Frederic Rzewski - 13:44ok, hasta luego
Bobby Mitchell - 13:44ok, keep your pecker up
isn't that what annette says?
Frederic Rzewski - 13:44yes, english humor
Bobby Mitchell - 13:45lovely
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
29 June 2015
Bobby Mitchell - 23:09Hey Fred
Frederic Rzewski - 23:37I'm talking to Nicole in Rome
Bobby Mitchell - 23:37ok
write again when you're done talking
Frederic Rzewski - 23:53ok
r u online?
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Tue, 30 Jun 2015, 09:30
to Frederic
sorry i passed out
Hangout with Frederic Rzewski
30 June 2015
Bobby Mitchell - 18:23Hey Fred, I don't have a cheap way of calling you
Can you call +497617669513 sometime tonight? It should cost you like 1 cent a minute
Frederic Rzewski - 19:00Just tried but you seem to be out. Give a hoot when you're back.
Bobby Mitchell - 19:02hey fred
can you call again? i was outside
just cal when you're ready, i'll carry the phone around with me so i don't miss your call
Frederic Rzewski - 19:23Just tried again, niema.
Bobby Mitchell - 19:26Hey Fred
are you at the computer?
I can't do this landline shit either
the phone was in my pocket and it didn't ring for some reason
Frederic Rzewski - 19:26Yes. Shd I try again?
Bobby Mitchell - 19:26anyway try again now, if you're free, and I will try my very best to answer
yes please
Fwd: Piano Sonata
2 messages
Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
27 June 2015 at 11:38
To: Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
Cosa ne pensi?
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Benny Gambino <[email protected]>
Date: 2015-06-27 0:42 GMT+02:00
Subject: Piano Sonata
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
Salve, eccovi una mia nuova performance del II e III movimento della vostra sonata, purtroppo per ragioni di minutaggio non ho potuto eseguire il I movimento.
Spero sia di gradimento...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9M8ieK276I&feature=youtu.be
Bobby Mitchell <[email protected]>
1 July 2015 at 10:27
To: Frederic Rzewski <[email protected]>
He's very good and I'm impressed that he can play this music from memory.