Day 277: Note from Nadia Boulanger
36yearsago.com
Vienna 1971—A Student Journal
A year of music, study, travel, sightseeing &
friends.
Day
277 — Note from Nadia Boulanger
05-May-1972
(Freitag–Fri.)
TRANSCRIPT
Did a little bit of most
things. In the morning, went to an open rehearsal
opera at the Volksoper—excellent singing. A very
“life” and “happy” soprano and really enjoyable.
In the evening, met with Herr Teiner, the man writing
the book. He will definitely use some very short
examples from the whole project. We have an
understanding about copyright.
When I got home there was a letter from Paris
(Fontainebleau). It was a handwritten note from
Madame Boulanger. It was a very kind note and I was
very honored to get it, and it made me glad of what
she said. Perhaps, I’ll feel more self-confident and
sure. But I doubt it because I seem to get my results
from my self-questioning. Anyway, I will always
cherish the letter. The first I’ve ever had of that
kind. I still hope sincerely, that I may be able to
study with her. She sounds like a wonderful person.
REFLECTIONS
Author
Herr Teiner. Mr. Teiner
was the young author of the Universal Edition
educational book that started me on my journey to
create Fantasy
on Broken Glass as an
exercise in musique concrète techniques. I owe Mr.
Teiner and Prof. Kaufmann a bit of gratitude in
giving me a goal to complete. You’ve heard me
complain, but the project came to a conclusion. The
good news is that Herr Teiner will use some short
examples in his book.
Letter from Fontainebleau. If you
remember, I applied for a scholarship to study at
Fontainebleau in France for the coming summer. Nadia
Boulanger was the famed composition teacher at
Fontainebleau of many famous composers, including
Aaron Copland. The letter I received today was from
Boulanger and the school. She said that I was not
able to receive a full scholarship for study. I was
not currently accepted but perhaps could apply for
admission in the future. I was probably disappointed
but realistically knew that my composition experience
(from Montclair State) did not warrant such an
undertaking, or certainly a scholarship. Here is a
scan of the letter.
Fontainebleau school letter
Handwritten note from Nadia
Boulanger. Most
surprising to me, was that I received a handwritten
note (see below) from Ms. Boulanger in addition to
the school letter. She was already up there in age
and apologized for her handwriting. That someone of
her stature took the time to look at my work, and
respond personally, took my breath away. When she
wrote “But I feel you are a true musician,” it made
me wonder if I could accomplish more than my
self-confidence would allow me. Teachers, and
especially Ms. Boulanger, can inspire and motivate
young students. It is a blessing for all of us that
when we have dedicated teachers who bring their
students to new discoveries and learning, we
recognize and honor them. Thank you, Ms. Boulanger.
Such a simple sentence. That’s all it takes. I
treasure this note.
Nadia Boulanger handwritten note
Transcription. Here is
the note transcription.
May 2, 1972
Dear Mr. Marin
Your letter & tape interested me very much and I
would be happy if you could come to study here. What
I would advise you to do, I have, in fact, no idea.
This will come to light easily. Would you like my
views, my reaction—who knows. But I feel you are a
true musician & on this ground we will come to an
easy agreement.
So, hoping to see you in the next future. I ask you
to find here all my best wishes.
Nadia Boulanger
Forgive me to..., so difficult. What can be done!
A
bit of a stumble. Looking
back, I feel now that I, perhaps, let myself (and
her) down by not following a life of music
composition. At one point in my graduate study, I was
hoping to complete my studies and eventually break
into the University scene as a composition professor.
It did not happen for a variety of reasons. When you
then take normal jobs to live life and pay bills, it
becomes a bit difficult to maintain a creative outlet
for serious composition. Many people do it, I
stumbled and lost my way. Although I have written
many short pieces of music throughout various periods
of my life, they are not often in the realm of
serious composition. At this time in my life, and
looking to retirement in six years, I have a renewed
creative urge to write music that I hope will blossom
a bit. We’ll see.
What
did I send to Fontainebleau? What did I
send with my Fontainebleau application? I am fairly
certain, that I sent a letter along with a tape of
some of my original and very short compositions from
Montclair State College. At Montclair, there was no
composition major at the time. Most of my pieces
seemed to come from Harmony class. I found a folder
of handwritten music from those days labeled Original
Compositions from Montclair State—1967–1971. My
college classes were the first time that I attempted
to write original music. Here is a one of my pieces
from Harmony class, “The
Gavotte that Isn’t.” It’s
simple. Mozart, I ain’t.
The Gavotte that Isn’t
1967–1971
Montclair State College
John
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