The Fredösphere

By way of ArtsJournal, we find an article in the NY Sun on an exhibition of "graphic scores," i.e., sheet music that employs composer-invented notation. Very interesting, and yet I can't help think it all seems timid when compared to the most uncompromising artistic visionary in the history of the world.

Elsewhere in the news....

I've been asked to play keyboard at the University Lutheran Chapel this weekend.  Regular readers of this blog know how I hate performing generally, and how this kind of responsibility fouls my attitude.  I have more than enough singing experience that I no longer sweat those jobs, but keyboards!  So many notes!  So many opportunities to screw up! 

Imagine your nation's government has arrested you because of your involvement in a seditious conspiracy.  Five minutes into the interrogation, you have told everything you know, but the officials want more.  Jack Bauer is brought in.  He turns loose a small but aggressive and very rabid ferret on your right leg.  The ferret proceeds to gnaw your leg off, in a process that takes several days to complete.  At that point, Jack Bauer announces he will set the ferret to work on your left leg, unless you give him more information.  You scream for the thousandth time that you know nothing more.  Just then, an officer comes in and informs Jack Bauer that all your co-conspirators have been arrested, and that there is no need to interrogate you further.  You are released.

Can you imagine the sense of delicious relief that would overwhelm you, knowing that, although one leg was gnawed off, the other leg was spared?  If so, you have some slight understanding of my joy whenever I have finished playing the piano in public, and am free to go home and forget about it.

Labels: Design