Posted in Uncategorized at 6:02 pm by anthonytobin
I conducted for interviews at the conclusion of the 2006 International Debussy Congress. Roy Howat, James Briscoe, Marie Rolf, and Richard Langham Smith all generously donated their time to speak with me. Their comments were insightful and engaging and I look forward to presenting them in the film. Elliott Antokoletz, Professor of Musicology at UT and Co-Director of the Congress will be interviewed during November.
Pierre Jacquard, whose grandfather Charles Domergue was a friend of Debussy’s at Mécénés is interested in my project and will show me locations around Paris which were important in Debussy’s life. I was lucky to catch him before his return to Paris on Tuesday and consider myself very fortunate to have met him.
I attended the second performance of the Fall of the House of Usher. Orledge’s realization of Debussy’s sketches and libretto is very effective, very moving. I recommend that people attend nextt weekend’s performances.
The Congress was a great success and presented very engaging and provocative lectures and discussions. Thanks to all who participated.
Posted in Uncategorized at 10:57 pm by anthonytobin
Roy Howat gave a very fine recital in Bates Recital Hall on the University of Texas Campus. He played the first book of preludes in a very compelling way. It was the most satisfying sense of the cycle of these pieces that I have heard. He presented the sonorities well, he observed the markings in the score, and he had a playful joie de vivre that fit the pieces when needed. He also captured the quiet and allowed the sound to die away in a most effective way. It is rare to hear a player so effectively convey the spirit and notated intentions of Debussy.
I will interview him Saturday and am very eager for his impressions on my study of light, sense of place, anad the piano works of Debussy. Marie Rolf, who I remembered from my days at Eastman, and James Briscoe from Butler University have also agreed to speak on camera about their impressions of light, Russian and Oriental influences, and the 1889 International Exhibition in Paris and how these might have affected Debussy’s style.
The day started with my appearance with Seetha Shivaswamy on the Fox 7 Morning show, where I performed a snippet of Debussy’s “Feux d’artifice” and we played most of the first movement of the Muczyinsky Flute Sonata. It went well, we hope for a good audience Saturday night for the Java Quake benefit, and I was able to show my appreciation for Steinway Piano Gallery of Austin. They provided us with the largest Steinway upright for this appearance.
Posted in Uncategorized at 8:01 pm by anthonytobin
I attended the opening reception for the 2006 International Debussy Congress at the Harry Ransom Center. Dean Doug Dempster, Music School Director Glenn Chandler, and Elliott Antokoletz gave warm welcomes. It was nice to meet the contributors and attendees, particularly Roy Howat and Marie Rolf. Howat will perform and all-Debussy program tomorrow night, Thursday October 26. Beth Usher, one of the eurythmists I work with, inspired Howat to suggest that the three Etudes he will perform might lend themself to eurythmy, and also mentioned people who knew both Debussy and Steiner. It is interesting to posit how Debussy would have reacted to Steiner’s work.
Marie Rolf suggested that I contact Noel Lee about my exploration of how the light of Paris may have influenced Debussy’s works, particularly the second book of Preludes. She agreed that Paris has an unusual quality of light.
After Howat’s performance we will setup a time for the interview.
Until then, I am playing on Fox 7 Austin at 7:45 AM Thursday, tomorrow, with Flutist Seetha Shivaswamy in order to promote the earthquake benefit we are playing Saturday at 7:30 PM at Asbury Methodist. We will play Mucynski and Satie and I will likely play Feux d’artifice, “Fireworks,” by Debussy.
Posted in Uncategorized at 2:30 am by anthonytobin
This is my latest video, taken from footage I took around Los Angeles in September 2006. It is the beginning. This is based on the notion that life, the elements, and people are all connected, all interrelated. Sand combines to form glass, glass can create light, and man and nature are part of this, whether in creative or destructive ways. This was filmed in downtown LA where Route 66 ended until 1926, along an old alignmnet of Route 66 in the desert north of Victorville, and in Culver City and Malibu. The title is the latitude and longitude of downtown Los Angeles.
I am busy preparing for my Amarillo recital and the Tsunami Benefit October 28th at Asbury Methodist. More on this soon!
Posted in Uncategorized at 2:29 am by anthonytobin
I will be performing in Austin on October 28th for a benefit for the Java earthquake at Asbury Methodist Church. November 3rd I will give a solo recital sponsored by Chamber Music Amarillo, and November 16th I will perform with flutist Seetha Shivaswamy at the Noontime Concert Series at Central Presbyterian Church in Austin, TX. We plan to do the Muczinsky Flute Sonata.
Posted in Uncategorized at 2:27 am by anthonytobin
I have been to Los Angeles 4 times since July 27th, first for a performance at the Natural History Museum, then for the release of “The Quiet” at a special party at Sony Studios, then to perform at Pacific Unitarian Church at Palos Verdes, to interview Stewart Gordon and Daniel Pollack for my Debussy Documentary, and finally to attend the premiere of “What to Wear” at the REDCAT theater in the Disney Center at 2nd and Grand with CalArts Provost Nancy Uscher and Michael Walsh, former music critic for Time Magazine.
During the last trip I captured photos and video of Route 66 in the desert, from the Cajon Pass to north of Oro Grande, and decided to embark on a short narrative movie and a larger, longer term project.
