Hapless Transmission #1: Let's Start from the Very Beginning
In Which Yr Composer Laments His Really Pretty Good Job(s)
At risk of being obvious, this one, this first song, my first foray into documenting the Happlescene, seems on the nose. Like directly on the nose. Like the nose is bloodied. Like the nose is still sniffling and bloodied and yet I smell on.
My lone regret is that I did not date these songs—not because history (whatever that is, times being what they are) will care, but it would be interesting to chart the exact moment that would lead me to issue such a cri de couer, especially as it was the first song. I do not remember if I had 100 in mind; I do not remember writing this (save that it did happen in my office at Juilliard because a student cancelled, the derivation of so many of these tiny offerings). But I do still relate and relate hard to the feeling. I loveteaching, but sometimes, the long stretches can feel like time has been relentlessly unforgiving.
I also began a tradition of texting these images to friends, peculiar little conversation pieces. And when I sent this one to my brilliant friend Dalit Warshaw, she commented “and yet somehow never enough work.” That about says it all.
Dedications
The entire cycle will be dedicated to soprano Britt Hewitt and pianist Andrea Christie, the amazing Happlesseers who have performed these songs in concert settings. But I am pondering dedicating individual songs to people I do not know. Because why not. They’re my songs. Any thoughts, dear readers?
