Talking to Nico
Michael Martin November 16 at 10:45pm
Hello Nico,
I am also sending this inquiry through your publishing company in case that happens to be the *cough* proper way to get ahold of you. I am a student composer, and have been following you and your work since reading about you in the New Yorker.
I will be traveling to NYC between March 25th-29th of this year and would love to meet with you if we happen to have any overlapping free time. As a very serious composition student, with my career goals essentially being ‘your life’, i think it could be truly invaluable to me. I, of course, would be willing to pay for your time and wisdom.
I hope this reaches you well!
Thanks in advance,
Michael
Nico Muhly November 16 at 11:19pm
Hey! I wish I were in town, but I’m totally in London during that weekend. HOWEVER. What’s your scheme? What are you trying to do? Do you want to send me some music?
Michael Martin November 18 at 5:06pm
Wow! You are delightfully quick in responding! Rock on. My dubious scheme was to talk to you about specific events that led to your current success. Discuss what kinds of things you did to open those doors. It was my hope that I could gleam a little insight to use for my own writing and for paving my own path to success. Does that make sense?
I assumed (always a bad idea) that you would be too busy to look at my music, but I would absolutely love too! I’m finishing up a piece for a small chamber ensemble that’s based on a poem by Michael Ondaatje. I would totally love to send it to you once it’s finished!
Nico Muhly November 18 at 5:09pm
Michael Ondaatje writes POETRY? I shudder to think. Are you sure it’s not too WORRRRRDDDDDYYYYYY for setting to music? Send it to me. I’m always happy to chat although I am never ever in New York so digital is the best way to do it. Off tomorrow to Holland for 2 weeks then Cambodia for a month.
Michael Martin November 18 at 5:25pm
Truth be told, all I’ve read of Michael Ondaatje is his poetry. An old boyfriend was positively in love with him. Although most of his poems don’t stick with me the way a good poem should, “The Cinnamon Peeler” has haunted my thoughts for a solid few years now and I think it’s wonderful written. (Of course, he was bound to write something worthwhile eventually right? AKA The Infinite Monkey Theorem?)
My piece is for instruments only though, and is going for the emotional program of the poem rather than the actual words or scenes described.
Enjoy your trip! My dad loves Holland and would live there if he could.
P.S.- Do you have a P.O. Box where I should send my music? What would be best?
Nico Muhly November 18 at 10:11pm
What’s best is that you should email me PDF’s and Mp3’s. I’m going to be in Holland and then Cambodia and unless you want to get really crazy with international mailing, that’s the best way.
Michael Martin November 18 at 10:56pm
OH no, in that case I’ll just let you print it off yourself (or enjoy it on the screen of your macbook if you feel like saving some trees). *Wink*
So what’s your e-mail? Mine is currently martin.jazz.piano@gmail.com
Nico Muhly November 18 at 11:02pm
nico.muhly@mac.com
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I am both excited and appalled at the thought of sharing my music with Nico Muhly. At 26 years old he’s literally living the life of my dreams. I hope the piece I’m working on is incredible and I can somehow impress him.
I think that is what my life is. Always searching for validation.
