Translations From The IrRational

Tuning In...

Thanks for tuning in to my SubStack, Translations From The IrRational.

If you've read my book IrRational Music or attended any of my lectures or workshops, you'll understand what I try to convey with the notion of "translation". To recap, I was greatly inspired by Walter Benjamin's essay The Task Of The Translator where he posits that translation is not so much finding the precisely correct words in the target language but manifesting the essence of what has been communicated in the source document.

I believe we each may discover inspiration deep within our cores and that this spark may be realized and developed in myriad ways. The key is finding the proper form of output, the 'correct' portion of the spectrum for the ideas to fully flower. Each person may have multiple potential types of output: it may be composing or improvising music on an instrument or with voice, it may be writing or painting or electronic arts, cooking a meal, speaking, glorying in quietude, taking a walk. This creative output generates a positive feedback effect to the one manifesting it in an endless cycle.

Over the years I've tried to refine and develop my output in various ranges of the spectrum: improvising on guitars, reeds, electronics; composing long-form and chamber works for ensembles ranging from full orchestras to solo instruments, creating and directing operas, developing a language for graphic notation; inventing and building musical instruments; writing accounts of activities that I've participated in; engaging in philosophical extrapolation on consciousness and the nature of mind and creativity; and finally, rants and discussions on historical and political issues of the day.

My posts on SubStack will touch upon all of these topics and more. I hope to engage in dialog with you, the readers, as well as presenting my own output. Besides writing, the output may include musical recordings and scores, videos, new graphic notations, and images from the always porous border between art and life (plus some surprises!)

I'll begin with all cost-free content and as the site develops will offer paid subscriptions at various levels which I hope people will find worthwhile of engagement and support.