Sorabji, Kaikhosru Shapurji (1892 - 1988)

[edashtav]

See #40 which shows that I was around shortly before 09.00 today and let me assure you that I have not jetted of anywhere since. Incidentally, I might mention (FWIW, if anything) that Sorabji never used cuttlefish ink when writing his scores.

But, Mr. Hinton, was the observation made in the Harrow Observer in 1977 that the " reclusive and egocentric composer of piano music lived behind 'barbed wire' ... near Corfe Castle?
(My emphasis)

[Segilla]

Ah! Interesting to read about Davison - by coincidence, I'm reading the Jacques Barzun biography of Berlioz, in which he's something of a hero!

Marvellous - and marvellously apt description of a critic: a cuttlefish!

I became a fervent Berlioz devotee from about 1948, before he became 'famous'. A first edition of the Barzun was a 1951 Christmas present which I still have, (S/H copies are on sale at abebooks for less than a fiver) and the impression I've always had of Davison was a favourable one. After reading Walker's revelations I've a different view.

[Sydney Grew]

I would lke to direct a question specifically to Mr. Hinton, who was I understand personally acquainted with Mr. Sorabji:

How used you to address him, if you wished to draw his attention?

- Mr. Sorabji
- Sir
- Leon
- Kaikhosru
- Some abbreviation of the latter
- In some other way

Presumably Kaikhosru has three syllables, not four, so it would roll off the tongue with almost as much ease as Benjamin, Wilberforce, Jonathan or Algernon.

This is a serious query!

[ahinton]

I would lke to direct a question specifically to Mr. Hinton, who was I understand personally acquainted with Mr. Sorabji:

How used you to address him, if you wished to draw his attention?

- Mr. Sorabji
- Sir
- Leon
- Kaikhosru
- Some abbreviation of the latter
- In some other way

Presumably Kaikhosru has three syllables, not four, so it would roll off the tongue with almost as much ease as Benjamin, Wilberforce, Jonathan or Algernon.

This is a serious query!

The answer is "K.", as all of his close friends addressed him.

[Serial_Apologist]

The answer is "K.", as all of his close friends addressed him.

Special K - not that he composer cereal music.

[vinteuil]

I ...Mr. Sorabji:

How used you to address him, if you wished to draw his attention?

... surely he wd've expected nothing less than - "Maître!... "


.

[ahinton]

Special K - not that he composer cereal music.

!!!

[ahinton]

... surely he wd've expected nothing less than - "Maître!... "

From what might you conclude this? I never addressed him that way, nor did I have reason to assume that he might have liked to be so addressed!

Not that it's of that much importance, really...

[Bryn]

... surely he wd've expected nothing less than - "Maître!... "

Surely, that should be استاد?

[vinteuil]

Surely, that should be استاد?

.

[ahinton]

Surely, that should be استاد?

Surely NOT, since Sorabji spoke only English, French and Italian with rudimentary German and a smatering of Spanish!...

[vinteuil]

.

Surely NOT, since Sorabji spoke only English, French and Italian with rudimentary German and a smatering of Spanish!...

... so probably 'Mr Dudley' is best after all. Or 'Lennie' if you were really close.

.

[ahinton]

.



... so probably 'Mr Dudley' is best after all. Or 'Lennie' if you were really close.

No idea who "Mr Dudley" might be, lest it be a certain Mr Moore of that ilk (from whom I once had some lessons in harmony and counterpoint without realising who he was). "Lennie" is what too many people called Mr Bernstein and he really disliked that unless it was by his close friends.

[Boilk]

Special K - not that he composer cereal music.

Indeed he was more of a serial killer...this extract is from an undated letter to the poet Hugh McDiarmid:

As for serialism … well! This is nothing but a jigsaw in terms of notes instead of words. They are always prattling on the intense logic of it all … Ebbene … it is impossible to conduct an argument that is so syllogistically flawless from premises that are inherently nonsensical, reaching a logically sound conclusion but one that is factually nonsensical. So it is with the tone-rowers, serialists and all of them.

[ahinton]

Indeed he was more of a serial killer...this extract is from an undated letter to the poet Hugh McDiarmid:

[/COLOR]

Indeed so! We have a copy of this, along with some letters in the opposite direction; where did youu find the one that you quote, just out of interest?