From an enigmatic interview today in Japan:
“I’m not at all comfortable because I still have too much, too many activities,” she said. “I’m busier now than when I was younger. I don’t know why. I need to practice more.”
She wondered whether her abilities were deteriorating and even asked me if she should retire.
I asked Argerich, who said she hoped to keep coming to Beppu, what her wishes were.
‘That’s a mystery to me. I don’t know what I want to do, and I need some more time for myself. I don’t know how much time I have. I’d like to live very freely and do what I want, if I can.’
from the film Bloody Daughter
The death has been announced of a great American novelist. He was 84. President Obama tweeted: ‘E.L. Doctorow was one of America’s greatest novelists. His books taught me much, and he will be missed.’
He came to a book launch of mine in New York. I was struck dumb by the honour of his presence.
What I remember was him telling me that his parents, Russian immigrants, made their living from music. His father had a music store, his mother was a pianist. Edgar went to concerts all his life, and to the Met.
I live by this saying of his: ‘I am telling you what I know—words have music and if you are a musician you will write to hear them.’
