Diary of a Composer

I often advocate to my clients of the vocal persuasion that they "write a diary" of their characters, operas, songs, recitals.  I received further inspiration from a beloved Eastman professor (Prof. CW) to "draw my recital."

The advice to draw preceded the happy day in March, 2012, when I brought home my D-SLR camera (Nikon, d5100).  That has been such a source of joy and fun for me.  I couldn't have imagined the "songs" from traveling which I recorded in Europe or Asia in 2012. 

In light of my upcoming lecture recital, here is my imaginary diary of Bartók writing Opus 16.  (Obviously, he would have written this in Hungarian.  This is how it would be in English, in my imagination).  The photo is from his house in Budapest. 
 
"Whoa ... recovering from a heavy ghoulash meal and now am sitting down to set the third piece, "The bed calling," of these Ady poems.  I hope that I can do the text justice ... for my dear Endre was (relatively) happy with the first two settings.

This third one is so problematic.  I really want to structure the climax in a particular place, but, the word repetition in the poem is difficult to grapple with.

I wonder what he would think if I removed some of the words.  All the words will still be present.  Just, the repetition is troubling me so ..."

Maybe I will address this tomorrow.

- BB

(Come to hear this, along with Ady's other remarkable poems, Saturday, January 26, Ciminelli Lounge, 1:30 PM).