It is always more fun to blog about your thesis than to actually write it (quotes of the day)...

Last week I ordered several books and articles through inter-library loan. You know the old tracking-down-an-original-source-to-make-it-look-like-you-found-it-even-though-you-really-found-it-in-an-already-overused-secondary-source trick? Anyway, I picked up my books last night. I was looking for one quote in particular in a book by French composer and conductor Manuel Rosenthal titled, Satie, Ravel, Poulenc. The book is about 2 inches by 3 inches small. You gotta love the French...





Rosenthal was one of only a few pupils of Ravel. The little book contains several brief anecdotes about Satie, Ravel, and Poulenc. Since it doesn't take long to read a 3-inch tall book, I managed to get through it last night. Here are a few of my favorite parts:

"The French think life is interesting. That is why they have created a cuisine, which is a pretext for enjoying ilfe and for being together around a table. As long as you are enjoying the food, you remain at table exchanging ideas and discussing your feelings. French music starts from this same circumstance." ~ Rosenthal

"Like a French garden, French music has to be clear, precise and delicate. There are no lies in Satie's music." ~ Rosenthal

"You know, I think it's very difficult for an artist to marry, because you never know how much harm you do to your companion. Perhaps it's too selfish to marry - you never know how wicked you will be, unwittingly." ~ Maurice Ravel in conversation with Rosenthal