Lincoln Center on Don Quixote

[Michael Fitzgerald]

Just received some promotional propaganda from the Lincoln Center about an upcoming concert featuring music by Ron Westray.

"Although musical masterpieces inspired by Don Quixote are mainstays in

classical culture, Chivalrous Misdemeanors may be the first composed and

arranged for the complex jazz setting."

Why must Lincoln Center pretend that they are breaking any new ground when history clearly proves they are not? A 2-second search on the term "Quixote" in the Lord CDROM came up with numerous single pieces including that title, and a 1980 - that's a quarter of a century ago - recording by the Japanese band Toshi Mori and His Blue Coats, entitled "A Song Of Don Quixote" with some 16 tracks specifically matching the story.

Then there's Kenny Wheeler and John Dankworth's "Windmill Tilter - The Story Of Don Quixote" from 1968 - that's over 35 years ago. But neither of these are American, so maybe Lincoln Center just has its (collective) head up its (collective) ass regarding anything done in the ENTIRE REST OF THE WORLD.

Just like Wynton Marsalis didn't break any new ground with the Blood On The Fields despite being hyped in the press as "finally addressing the subject of slavery" (after John Carter had already done five suites on this theme).

For heaven's sake, Lincoln Center has people on staff that know about these resources - are they bothering to consult them? Oh right, they're playing it safe with the word "may" -

Mike

Edited March 28, 2005 by Michael Fitzgerald

[bertrand]

They get away with this crap by making the claim that they are the first, and hoping that no one will challenge them. With resources such as on-line or CD-ROM discographies now available (flawed as they may be), they may no longer be able to pull this off.

It's not too late to set the gullible public straight for the Don Quixote thing, perhaps through a letter to the NYT?

Isn't Todd Barkan the one who should do this research (or farm it out)?

Bertrand.

Edited March 28, 2005 by bertrand

[bertrand]

Also, what's 'the complex jazz setting'?

Bertrand.

[A Lark Ascending]

Oh, I don't know.

'Tilting at Windmills' might well define Marsalis' career, as regards his view of what jazz 'is'!