Ottevanger's Omphaloskeptic Outpost

[Maciek]

Thank you, Maciek.   This book was such a wonderful find! What do you make of it? Can you see what attracts me to it?

Well, first of all, it certainly isn't a text with easy appeal. And you found a wonderful key to it: to read it as if it were poetry. After all, that's what a journal (and particularly this one) may be: someone trying to grasp the essence of his or her day in just so many words. So yes, I can see what attracts you to it and how your way of reading it makes the book far more interesting and beautiful than it would seem to be at first, down-to-earth blush. I guess you could say that while I appreciate the journal itself, what really touches me is your way of reading it, seeing how it speaks to you, what it tells you. (God, I hope this doesn't sound patronizing, because it's meant to be the exact opposite!)

Incidentally, one may try to capture the essence of one's days in just so many words and come across as slightly less humble. Here is the famous opening of Gombrowicz's Diary (has it been translated to English??):

Monday
Me.

Tuesday
Me.

Wednesday
Me.

Thursday
Me.

How or why exactly White's tone triggered this memory is one of the great mysteries of my mind. (It is an often quoted passage, that may explain it, at least partly.)

[EDIT: The "Me" could have also been translated as "I" or "Myself". I'm not all that sure if my choice is the right one.]

[Maciek]

Gombrowicz's Diary (has it been translated to English??)

Yes, it has. By a Lillian Vallee. 1st volume is pretty cheap used on amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Diary-1-Witold-Gombrowicz/dp/0810107155/
(even bookfinder.com couldn't find a better price!)

[karlhenning]

. . . id, sub-id, and super-sub-id

The last also known as the mezzanine id, I think . . . .

[sul G]

A long time ago I wrote a topic here called "Why I Am NOT A Composer."  (No, the answer was NOT lack of talent!      )

Yes, I remember it - it was a fascinating opening post, I remember, and one which I relate[d] to very much. The exposure - your well-chosen word - can terrify me, and with good reason. Watching a piece over which one has poured everything is being scrutinised by players whose only experience of it is a brief, appallingly incomplete and dreadfully inaccurate sightread is such a painful, destructive thing. But as I gain more confidence in my music, I find it easier to bear this. When it happened to The Chant of Carnus in 2002 I was deeply shaken; when it happened to Elegy and Ascent a couple of months ago my faith in the piece meant I was relatively unaffected.

But there is a reason I am my own favourite interpreter.....!

[karlhenning]

A long time ago I wrote a topic here called "Why I Am NOT A Composer."  (No, the answer was NOT lack of talent!      )

Yes, I remember it - it was a fascinating opening post, I remember, and one which I relate[d] to very much. The exposure - your well-chosen word - can terrify me, and with good reason.

It's long enough ago that I scarcely remember it . . . but I was a withdrawn, introspective child.  This continued (did not immediately switch) through my early musical studies.  But now, I am five separate gorillas . . . wrestle poodles and win!

[Maciek]

For those who would like to refresh their memories.

[Cato]

Yes, I remember it - it was a fascinating opening post, I remember, and one which I relate[d] to very much. The exposure - your well-chosen word - can terrify me, and with good reason.

It's long enough ago that I scarcely remember it . . . but I was a withdrawn, introspective child.  This continued (did not immediately switch) through my early musical studies.  But now, I am five separate gorillas . . . wrestle poodles and win!

Part of the problem for me might have been my quarter-tone experimentation: a comment from an ex-friend, after hearing a computer version of a Toccata and Fugue a la Bach (meticulously programmed note by note by a student of mine) was: "Okay, don't ever play that again, because that piece can easily be evidence against you at your sanity hearing!"

And I could not disagree!

Anyway, I am sure "the boys in white jackets" have not been standing around the concert halls, when your works are presented!  

[Cato]

For those who would like to refresh their memories.

Thank you, Maciek!   0:)

I did not realize the topic had been "hit" over 2,000 times!   

[sul G]

It was a good 'un!

[Cato]

Incidentally, one may try to capture the essence of one's days in just so many words and come across as slightly less humble. Here is the famous opening of Gombrowicz's Diary (has it been translated to English??):

[EDIT: The "Me" could have also been translated as "I" or "Myself". I'm not all that sure if my choice is the right one.]

You are quite right to use the word "me" for your translation.

But any further comment belongs under http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,10977.480.html!

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Thank you, Maciek.   This book was such a wonderful find! What do you make of it? Can you see what attracts me to it?

Although you address the question to Maciek... It's quite easy to see what is attractive about the diary - it's constantly surprising because of the juxtapositions, it's pithy, very visual and sharp. There is a lot of information there and a lot of mystery at the same time, which appeals to the imagination.

I, for one, love that description of Timothy - beautiful.

[sul G]

Well, first of all, it certainly isn't a text with easy appeal. And you found a wonderful key to it: to read it as if it were poetry. After all, that's what a journal (and particularly this one) may be: someone trying to grasp the essence of his or her day in just so many words. So yes, I can see what attracts you to it and how your way of reading it makes the book far more interesting and beautiful than it would seem to be at first, down-to-earth blush. I guess you could say that while I appreciate the journal itself, what really touches me is your way of reading it, seeing how it speaks to you, what it tells you. (God, I hope this doesn't sound patronizing, because it's meant to be the exact opposite!)

Not patronising in the slightest! Very kind words. It is a strange text to fall in love with, but, as you say, if you read it as poetry, and as Johan says, if you read it with an appreciation of the juxtapositions - it gives up endless beauty. Whereas White's more formal writings, his more celebrated works, whilst wonderful in themselves, don't contain this ineffable poetry. A poetry where it is the gaps, the words unsaid, which speak so much.

[sul G]

Although you address the question to Maciek... It's quite easy to see what is attractive about the diary - it's constantly surprising because of the juxtapositions, it's pithy, very visual and sharp. There is a lot of information there and a lot of mystery at the same time, which appeals to the imagination.

Yes, that's it, exactly. And the slow day-to-day pace, the lack of drama, the big cyclical repetitions. It is a beautiful, calm mixture of large and small, seasonal change and tiny events.

I, for one, love that description of Timothy - beautiful.

He's a recurrent character, especially at the beginning and end of hibernation!

[Guido]

What a find this book is!! *ordered*

[sul G]

Really?  You will love it!

[Guido]

Woops! 

I just realised that I ordered The Natural History of Selborne instead of the diaries! 

Is there a edition of the diaries on Amazon? - I can only find expensive second hand ones and partial editions...

Once again, I reveal myself to be a numpty...

[Guido]

I read two entries on the blog that you linked to and immediately knew that I had to have it.

[sul G]

This is the edition I have, I think. Only £5 something at the moment (I got mine for £3 in Oxfam!)

edit - even cheaper, and hardback. But at this point I start worrying if it's really the book it says it is. Often a problem at Amazon, I find.

[sul G]

Guido, your inbox has just reached capacity. Ironically, so has mine!

So, this is what I just tried to send you (not relevant in the least to this thread, mind you):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pimlico-Dictionary-Composers-Twentieth-composers/dp/0712665684/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239233847&sr=1-2

this is the one. It isn't a perfect book, but I think you'll find lots to like in it.

[Guido]

This is the edition I have, I think. Only £5 something at the moment (I got mine for £3 in Oxfam!)

edit - even cheaper, and hardback. But at this point I start worrying if it's really the book it says it is. Often a problem at Amazon, I find.

Cheers.

I just ordered the dictionary of 20th century composers too!

Inbox has been slightly cleaned out.

Here's the book I was talking about:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ART-no-nonsense-guide-art-artists/dp/1841590444/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239234573&sr=8-4

its available for 1p at the moment!