Divagations, Doodlings and Downright Lies

During
lockdown, Lyell Cresswell wrote this far from conventional
autobiography. Each chapter begins with an increasingly fanciful – and
very colourful – account of an exciting life. Under the cover of this
playful narrative, he smuggles in deeply considered ideas about music,
and about what it means to be a composer – a person who is both
philosopher and storyteller. These ideas are accompanied by beautiful
and exuberant pen and ink drawings – some for graphic scores, others for
his own pleasure.


He
says, ‘When we look at art, we look for something deep and private. If
we find what we’re looking for we realise that no attempt to put it into
words is adequate.’ His music was like the man himself: emotional,
uncompromising, richly textured, often quite noisy – and wonderful.

Format: Paperback
Pages: 248
Imprint: Te Herenga Waka University Press
Publication date: 12/09/2024