Go Your Own Way

Daddy and I talked about music while I was there—of course we did. Incredibly, he doesn’t have even a radio in his room. Why does this blow my mid sized brain? Because, growing up, music was always playing and playing loud. At least it was when he was home. Mostly classical but he was big into Dylan and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band too.

Pop said that I got all the musical talent in the fam. Dunno but I was the only one to pursue it as a course of study and possible career. As a teen, I’d always assumed I'd be a high school music teacher when I grew up. When reality hit—that I might, upon graduation, be stuck in some rural village light years from civilization—I began to rethink the matter.

What did I really want to do vis-à-vis music? Play. I wanted to be part of a major city orchestra, surrounded by all the gorgeous sounds, performing. Primo concert flutist gigs were/are few and far between though. Even Julia, an old friend and tremendously talented musician, passed on the performance artist career option. What chance would I have if even Julia was put off by the odds?

In the paper the other day, there was a review of Claire Chase’s performance at The Kitchen in Manhattan.

Humility and hubris blend in unexpected ways in Ms. Chase’s work. Friday’s hour long show was presented as Part 3 in a 22-year commissioning bonanza, “Density 2036,” during which she is seeking to create an entire new repertory of works for solo flute. The title refers to Varèse’s groundbreaking flute solo from 1936. By the time of its centenary Ms. Chase, who will then be 58, hopes to have redefined flute music for a new generation.

Christ, I wish I could hear this!

In this morning's alternate universe, I stayed in music but carved out my own avant garde-y path. Yes, performing with orchestras when I could but also with percussion ensembles, punk bands and performance artists. Such fun!

Go Your Own Way—Fleetwood Mac