August 2 - Return of the Native

Finish up the reconstructed August 2005 back issue of 21st-Century Music (with short feature article by the hardworking Phillip George on works inspired by W.H. Auden), now online at 21st-centurymusic.blogspot.com and soon at 21st-centurymusic.com and in print.



A second page of Iliad Songs prepared for publication, then, at last,



Harriet returns! --


first calling from Medford, OR,



then Corning, CA, and thence safely home.

August 1 - 21st-Century Musical Topology

Finish the August 2008 issue of 21st-Century Music, with a brief feature on Bay Area composer-kotoist Miya Masaoka, now online (21st-centurymusic.blogspot.com) and soon also at 21st-centurymusic.com and in print.



Email from Owen, and we're already gearing up for the fall semester.



Whoops! Not like that! (amazing what can happen when one googles for pictures re "college") Actually, both Owen and I prepare in rather monkish fashions, he to the Sierra, as above (not directly above, rather, two above -- well, shall we say two pictures above..),



and I to a continuing improvisation re the straight-and-narrow of the Pacific Crest Trail in Southern California (stringing dayhikes and a few overnights together between the Mexican border and the crossing of the Antelope Valley), definitely thinking of Mt. San Jacinto this year, conditions permitting (above is the view of MSJ from the top of Mt. San Gorgonio -- the goal of each of the last two years, respectively from south and north approaches),



via Marion Mountain Campground, if possible (the shortest, steepest route...).



Meanwhile begin another publication-preparation job -- the considerably shorter Iliad Songs, op. 46 (of course, I just happened to happen on Agostino Carracci (August 16, 1557 - March 22, 1602) - I Modi [The Ways]: XV. Achilles and Briseis) --



and avidly awaiting Harriet's return (she's due either tomorrow or the next day).

July 31 - Of Mouse and Mice

Back before music notation software was generally used, score for Mice and Men was written in pencil directly as full orchestration roughly over six summers (Act I - 1987, II - 88, III - 89, IV - 90, V Scene 1 - 91, V 2 - 92, although the work extended to a completion date of October 5, 1992). As of today (with MM V 2 part F page 14-15), it's finally, basically, all in the computer (a process that extended, on and off, over the last two years), and MIDI versions have been produced for recording. Hallelujah...

It's a collage, detailed, Ivesian work -- markedly different in approach with respect to the later operas, all latter of which are troped on pre-existant material and notated directly into computer, usually (with the exception of Henry Miller, which evolved into the present procedure) conceived as piano-vocal "short scores," then subsequently orchestrated.

Further work today on the August 2008 issue of 21st-Century Music (work-in-progress at 21st-centurymusic.blogspot.com and soon to be published in print and at 21st-centurymusic.com), plus reconstructing August 2005.

July 30 - A Normal Day... Is That Good? Sure...

Another couple of pages (12 and 13) of the F section of Mice and Men Act V Scene 2 prepared for publication, plus catch-up and daily work on 21st-Century Music (21st-centurymusic.blogspot.com -- the Chronicle sections of the August 2008 and September 2008 issues).