Courtesy of pianist Beth Levin: Vernon Duke (1903-1969), US composer, born Vladimir Dukelsky in Russia; among his famous songs is “April in Paris.” Inspired by Duke’s famous song, a friend of his decided to spend three weeks in Paris one April. The weather was appalling, and when he returned he told Duke so. “Whatever possessed you to go to Paris in April” asked the composer. “The weather in Paris is always horrible in April.” The astonished friend said, “But, I went there because of your song!” “Oh,” said the composer apologetically. “We really meant May, but the rhythm required two syllables.”
Gentle Reader, I have music to write, projects I am morally and artistically prepared to address. Yet, I have not reported any fresh creative work for some little time. Do I owe you an explanation?—I may or may not. The question of obligation aside, here I go:
In June of last year, my position as Music Director of a small church was disappeared. I come neither to whinge about nor to presume to explain that event (I am not at all sure I am competent to explain it. I merely report that fact.) The loss of that income was not an insignificant matter for me, and I made some efforts now and again to find some compensatory revenue stream. Without any moon-eyed supposition that it might really happen, I even made a good-faith effort at the quixotic activity of applying to an open Assistant Professorship in Composition at a major school in the Boston area. Yea, I threw my hat into that ring notwithstanding the not-exactly-encouraging impression that such wondrously successful turns in a musical career seem to be for Others but not for me. I write thus only out of my sober assessment of an Industry into which I remain consistently uninvited, and with not even the least trace of self-pity. And I write it simply as background to the observation that the Institution in question never communicated to me even once about my candidacy.
I have in the interim been very active with my own music, and correspondingly neglectful of any search for employment. This week, however, I have made more of an effort in searching. No success therein to report as yet, I only inform you that for the time being I am reversing the priority: suppressing any urge to do creative work while focusing energies on trying to find a revenue stream. That is all.
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