Shostakovich: Quartet No.10 in A Flat Major Op.118 [July 1964]

The composer is standing out in front with a walking stick.

I’m writing this in Armenia.
Where Nina got poisoned with radium.
Have you ever heard what the land says over here?
You ought to listen.
Mandelstam was a great listener.
He wrote Armenia out for us to savor.

Patiently:

As for me
I have my reasons for setting down a beautiful shit storm.
I have always had good reason.
Nobody should write such stuff just for the hell of it.
I have very good cause for this construct.

Venturing forward, he is nearly touching the foremost members of the audience.
He stares intently into their faces and speaks confidentially.

Always watch the change of climate.
Who is in charge, who says they’re in charge, who answers to whom.

LIGHTING INTENSIFIES: BRIGHTER, RICHER HUES

As previously stated, everything I needed to say
Was plainly spelled out in high relief.

I have always painted with undiluted colors.

Staring intently into the faces of the audience:

Even when responding to blockheaded directives
From know-nothing officials who “didn’t get it”
I’ve always written exactly what I felt was needed

The exact dimensions of real life have
Consistently been referenced
And reflected here
Where the music survives.

Is that clear?
Thank you.

BLACKOUT

© arwulf arwulf 2015