Before the concert:I’ve been abstracted and quietly jittery for a few days now—at least, when I am with my housemates making dinner or hanging out on the porch. It’s normal for me to feel the weight of the world on my shoulders before I play. Even this relatively informal, forgiving performance in Orient evokes feelings […]
Read MoreWe ran the program in order today, but I resolved not to gloss over anything with the cast. They are packing four weeks’ worth of study into six days, and I want to give them everything I possibly can without blowing their fuses. I’m also trying to hold onto their best work before they start […]
Read MoreWednesday’s rehearsal always has a special place in these one-week residencies. It’s the last time we still feel we’re free to play, discover, develop. I can bring up some of the bigger issues I want each singer to be thinking about, and they still have the brain-space to process what I am telling them. Wednesday […]
Read MoreWhen you have a one-week rehearsal period for a complicated program, you have to work quickly. Of course I want to be a gentle, enlightening guru-figure for the four singers I’ve invited. I also want to get every song up and running ASAP. I am happy to say that a lot of our work is […]
Read MoreThis is the third time I am doing Ports of Call, a program that circumnavigates the globe using songs from eleven countries in nine languages. In every port you meet a traveler—be it a merchant, an exile, a lover, an ex-pat, or an opium addict. Since I am comfortable with all the music, it’s easy […]
Read MoreIt always seems like a miracle when the cast arrives in Orient for our annual NYFOS@North Fork project. They zoom in by bus, by car, by ferry, and suddenly my quiet, sedentary life becomes a densely packed rehearsal period. This morning I am preparing to go from “Sleep” mode to “Full Blast.” I’ve done this […]
Read MoreMy journey through the 1960s continues. 1969Billboard’s Top Seller – “Sugar, Sugar” by Jeff Barry & Andy Kim and performed by The Archies Grammy for Record of the Year (1970) – “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” Bones Howe (producer) performed by The 5th Dimension Grammy for Song of the Year (1970) – “Games People Play” by Joe […]
Read MoreMy journey through the 1960s continues. 1968Billboard’s Top Seller – “Hey Jude” by the Beatles Grammy for Record of the Year (1969) – “Mrs. Robinson,” Paul Simon & Roy Halee (producers) performed by Simon & Garfunkel Grammy for Song of the Year (1969) – “Little Green Apples” by Bobby Russell (songwriter) performed by Roger Miller […]
Read MoreMy journey through the 1960s continues. 1967Billboard’s Top Seller – “To Sir, with Love” by Don Black and Mark London and performed by Lulu Grammy for Record & Song of the Year (1968) – “Up, Up and Away” by Jimmy Webb (songwriter) and Johnny Rivers & Marc Gordon (producers) performed by The 5th Dimension. Grammy for […]
Read MoreMy journey through the 1960s continues. 1966Billboard’s Top Seller – “California Dreamin’” by John Phillips & Michelle Phillips and recorded by The Mamas & the Papas Grammy for Record of the Year (1967) – “Strangers in the Night,” Jimmy Bowen (producer) & Frank Sinatra Grammy for Song of the Year (1967) – “Michelle” by John […]
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