GirlHacker's Random Log

almost daily since 1999

 

Elvis Costello and the Brodsky Quartet’s “The Juliet Letters” is one of my favorites to listen to over and over. It didn’t fit any radio niches, though the divorce ditty “Jacksons, Monk & Rowe” got some airplay, but I had a hunch that it was treasured by many as a fascinating and tuneful departure from the norm. The performance of it I attended at Davies Symphony Hall was packed and very well received. I recently ran across what amounts to a chronicle of a wonderful reaction to this work, written by Teller (as in Penn &) for The New Yorker. There are two versions of the article, the second is an equally entertaining longer draft. I found much to relate to in Teller’s experience of getting to know the album and his musician friends’ dissection of the inspirations for the motifs. There’s always more to uncover in the interplay of the string arrangements or the wry lyrics. And I wish I could see them perform it again. Perhaps I should invest in the score or sheet music.

Written by ltao

August 7th, 2002 at 1:06 am

Posted in Uncategorized