January 25, 2010
Up, across and down
![[IMAGE] branches](/blog/blogpix/up.jpg)
![[IMAGE] San Juans](/blog/blogpix/across.jpg)
![[IMAGE] Heron](/blog/blogpix/Heron1.jpg)
…about the musicUp, down, and all around.
More travel. More landings. All directions, literally and figuratively. Mostly quite good, and that which is not quite good is still quite compelling. Interpret as you will. I am looking in all directions. Inward is always the best, even if not always the most reliable.
My outward self, meanwhile, has not only been writing music like a good little composer, but also writing words about outward things regarding artists’ experiences in the world, now that the new digital paradigm is reality. For all that I have failed to blog on this page this month, I have made up for in two recent essays for the wonderful online magazine NewMusicBox. Whether you are a musician or not, you may enjoy the reads: As Important as the Printing Press: Net Neutrality and Artists’ Freedom, and What I Learned About My Tiny Business From Paramount Pictures. NewMusicBox will be publishing another, possibly more significant, and hopefully even more controversial piece (ooh!) this coming week. Stay tuned: I’ll post the link here.
Glenn Buttkus said,
January 25, 2010 @ 6:19 am
We Kelphistos, of course, missed your presence and input for these several weeks–but somehow we could feel the hum in the air, the Shapiro vibes permeating the
stratos, connecting with our spirit. We somehow knew you were traveling, lecturing, making deals, writing music, and kudos on those essays.
Your mp3, Vivace; Trio for Clarinet, Violin, & Piano @ 1:38 put my mind at ease, staring at the pics you selected, and enjoying the mini-musical journey. The violin
got plucked a lot; probably enjoyed it–don’t think there are any ordinances against plucking in public, enit?
June is just around the corner, and my retirement is large on my mind and spirit.
My replacement has already been hired. I will give up my office to her later this week.
It will be a very smooth transition, and I will be able to share my 33 years of
experience with her over the next few months. They have assigned me to a lonely desk in the corner in another room. Sigh. Still my freedom awaits as I unwind the
constraints of servitude from my person.
Steve Griffin said,
January 25, 2010 @ 12:48 pm
Welcome back, and thank you.
I enjoyed both of your articles and I’m sure it was refreshing to the DC people to have a real person at those hearings. I also noted Glenn Buttkus’ comment and envy him his imminent retirement.
Alex Shapiro said,
January 25, 2010 @ 4:22 pm
Thanks guys. And EVERYONE will be envious of Glenn’s retirement this summer! If he doesn’t get a gold watch, then I should send him a gold kelp frond 🙂