Classical Notes: January 17, 2007 Archive

G Is for Gordon (Ricky Ian...)

Posted at 3:31 PM on January 17, 2007 by Rex Levang

Ricky Ian Gordon is the New York-based composer of the new opera, "The Grapes of Wrath," based, of course, on the novel by John Steinbeck. The Minnesota Opera gives the premiere in a few weeks, and Gordon will be in town for the duration, so we'll probably be hearing from him; meanwhile, from a big profile in "Opera News," a few random quotes:

"You mention 'The Grapes of Wrath,' and people think, 'Ooooh. It's so depressing. The truth is what makes the book moving is that these people are so incredibly vibrant and alive. They're zealous. They're full of belief."

"Prosody is everything."

"I am a fount of ridiculous information. When I discovered Henze, I became so obsessed with 'Cantata della Fiaba Estrema'. . . . Or discovering Michael [he pauses to savor the moment] Tippett."

"Music is not something that flies beside my life. Music is my life."

"The world upsets me. I also feel utterly filled with joy by the world as well. But I take it all in. When I started putting work out, I was lie a little kid who was excited and wanted to say, 'Look what I made.' I still feel like that."