Jean Echenoz’s ‘Ravel - a novel’, is as slender, precise and elegant as its subject. It charts the last decade of Ravel’s life in nine brief chapters, written in different styles, starting from his tour of the USA in 1928. It covers the period during which Bolero and the piano concertos were composed. Ravel’s decline, possibly accelerated by a car accident, is as tragic as any in the history of music. A poignant read.
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Originally posted by Rjw View PostV2 by Robert Harris
The history bit was ok the fiction total twaddle.
Now reading: Home Run by John Nichol and Tony Rennell."The sound is the handwriting of the conductor" - Bernard Haitink
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Just finished Bruges-la-Morte which highlights the very different concept that the Korngolds had in creating Die tote Stadt, turning a "shabby little shocker" (albeit with literary qualities) into an operatic psychodrama completely different from Rodenbach's intention. They even introduce a 'did he, didn't he?' idea - and surprisingly decide that, No, he didn't …
By calling the novel a 'shabby little shocker' I simply mean that it's far less complex psychologically: slightly unbalanced man becomes besotted with a dancer who is basically only interested in his money, taunts him in a way that acts as a trigger to his unstable mental condition and he murders her. The whole tale is set against the 1890s background of Bruges whose fossilised townscape and unbending Catholicity reflect his state of mind and influence his actions. The Korngolds are having none of that and Die tote Stadt becomes a mix of uncontrolled passion and eerie mystery. Which turns it into an opera .
My sort-of system, insofar as I have a system, suggests I look at John Evelyn's diary next, another 'been on my shelves a long time' item, but I'm not sure I'm quite in the right mood. Perhaps James's Turn of the Screw or Mérimée's Carmen, neither of which I have.It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.
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Originally posted by Joseph K View PostI've just started Huxley's Brave New World.It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.
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Originally posted by Joseph K View PostI remember enjoying that.
I've just started Huxley's Brave New World.
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Originally posted by french frank View Post
My sort-of system, insofar as I have a system, suggests I look at John Evelyn's diary next, another 'been on my shelves a long time' item, but I'm not sure I'm quite in the right mood. Perhaps James's Turn of the Screw or Mérimée's Carmen, neither of which I have.
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Originally posted by vinteuil View Post... I didn't know that anyone had made an opera from Evelyn's DiaryIt isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.
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Originally posted by french frank View PostWhich now rubs it in that I did, at some point, get rid of certain books - I had the Folio edition of BNW and I don't have it now. I do have other Huxley paperbacks, Eyeless in Gaza, Antic Hay, Point Counter Point and maybe one or two others. Chrome Yellow? Well, I'm easily led, so maybe I'll ditch J. Evelyn for Huxley. I remember PCP, so maybe I should look out Eyeless in Gaza I will do that now. It'll be under H in the left hand bookshelf in the 'library' (front room) - if I haven't got rid of that too
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Originally posted by french frank View PostI do have other Huxley paperbacks, Eyeless in Gaza, Antic Hay, Point Counter Point and maybe one or two others. Chrome Yellow? Well, I'm easily led, so maybe I'll ditch J. Evelyn for Huxley. I remember PCP, so maybe I should look out Eyeless in Gaza I will do that now. It'll be under H in the left hand bookshelf in the 'library' (front room) - if I haven't got rid of that too
Huxley's early stuff - like Crome Yellow - can be fun
The chatto & windus pocket editions from the 1920s and 30s are nice to have
.Last edited by vinteuil; 20-02-21, 08:41.
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Originally posted by vinteuil View Post... I think French Frank might enjoy Huxley's Along the Road - his travel writing. It was having read his essay The Best Picture from that book that prevented a British artillery officer from destroying Sansepolcro -
Huxley's early stuff - like Crome Yellow - can be fun
The chatto & windus pocket editions from the 1920s and 30s are nice to have
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