Since January 1, I've been a mini-chapter a day from Year of Wonder, featuring a piece of classical music and an essay.
It's an accessible book for people who don't know a lot about classical music. I was a serious music student in my youth, so I know quite a lot actually, but many of the pieces and composers were unfamiliar to me. Rather than formally surveying the major works, Clemency Burton-Hill takes an organic approach, showcasing lots of lesser-known and contemporary composers. This is less Classical Music 101 and more Let's Do Shots and Listen to Some Cool Shit. The coolest thing I learned is that Beethoven's music has been sent into space to represent the sounds of the people of earth, should any extra-terrestrials find it: String quartet no. 13 in B flat major, op. 130, 5: Cavatina: Adagio molto espressivo. It's among my favorite pieces of music. Give it a little listen if you're inclined.
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Book talks
When Covid first hit, I started doing book talks on social media as a way to keep in touch with people. I never got out of the habit. I don't discuss books by my clients, and if I don't like a book, I won't discuss it at all. While I will sometimes focus on craft or offer gentle critical perspectives, as a matter of professional courtesy, I don't trash writers. Unless they're dead. Then the gloves come off. Archives
February 2024
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