Beyond a Concert.

[Andrew McGeever]

Beyond a Concert.

(for Jarkko)

You insist you can't stand Sibelius:
his 'fin de siecle' attempts to wed
Nordic tundra to Romantic rushes
of blood served nothing for modernity

in music. Worse follows: his brushstrokes
sweep too far. He omits the fine detail
of Mahler, yet his canvas can't contain
the scope of Schoenberg or Bartok. I nod

in disagreement; drink a half-time pint
against your sherry in the Shakespeare Bar
which empties when the Usher Hall refills
for the headline act: Sibelius' Fifth.

I soar through the symphony, roar applause
for the orchestra. You, glued to your seat,
trapped in your critique, are blind to the flight
of swans crossing centuries.


Andrew.



P.S. In case anyone gets the wrong idea, this is not about Jarkko. The idea came from a concert I attended during the Edinbugh Festival in 1981.
Yes, it's not a recent one, and is best read as a dialogue/performance piece. I came across it while trawling through my cupboards and drawers.
Jarkko deserves the dedication, for obvious reasons.

[woody]

i don't know much of the poems whole context but i really enjoyed what i gleaned.
'You, glued to your seat,
trapped in your critique, are blind to the flight
of swans crossing centuries.'
this is excellent,
thanks

[lizzytysh]

I agree with your comment, Woody. Very effective.

Now, the "for Jarkko" dedication is unrelated to the content of the poem, itself, right? It's merely the timing of its presentation?

[Andrew McGeever]

Dear Elizabeth,
The "for Jarkko" dedication is not unrelated to the content of the poem.
Unlike the previous piece I posted on this board, this one's finnished.
Jean died when I was 7.

9 years later, the Scottish National Orchestra revived him; brought his music to an international audience; brought his music to me.

Andrew.

[Fljotsdale]

I like that poem. I wasn't sure, first time I read it, so I said nothing.

I've read it a couple of times now, got used to the style, and yes, I think it's good. Especially the final verse.

[Andrew McGeever]

Dear Fljotsdale,
Thanks for your second reading, and your encouraging reply.
As indicated, this poem is best read as a dialogue/performance piece. The extended quotes from "you" almost fill the first two stanzas.
It's essentially a conflict between two people, and, who knows, is Sibelius at the core ?

Andrew.

[lizzytysh]

Hi Andrew ~

Please indulge my density today. Who is Jean? At least, I get that it's finnished .

Thanks.

~ Lizzy

[Andrew McGeever]

Dear Lizzy,
Jean Sibelius, 1865-1957.

For further info, and a listen to the symphony quoted in the poem, check out
http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/profiles/sibelius.shtml

Andrew.

[lizzytysh]

Thanks, Andrew. I suspected as much, but just not enough energy to investigate further on it. As soon as I am with listening device, I will listen to it. I'm sure I'll enjoy it [and the poem along with it]. Thanks, again.

~ Lizzy

[Fljotsdale]

Dear Fljotsdale,
Thanks for your second reading, and your encouraging reply.
As indicated, this poem is best read as a dialogue/performance piece. The extended quotes from "you" almost fill the first two stanzas.
It's essentially a conflict between two people, and, who knows, is Sibelius at the core ?

Andrew.

I've read it quite a few times now. I really like it a great deal. Erm... I do poetry readings occasionally... I suppose... well - would you let me use it in a reading? Properly credited, of course.

[Andrew McGeever]

Dear Fljotsdale,
I take it you usually read your own material:in which case I would be delighted if you read my "Beyond a Concert".
I'd also be intrigued about how you would do it! I wouldn't mind being a fly on the wall !
The act of placing a poem on an internet message board consigns it to the public domain: anyone can use it, though it is the intellectual property of the writer, in this case, me. Credit me with authorship, and enjoy reading it!

Andrew.

[Fljotsdale]

No, Andrew, I have never read my own poetry at the readings - I read regular, published poets! Browning, Keats, etc...

...but I also read some 'minor' poets' that I happen to find - usually published, though. An excellent minor published poet, imo, is Steve Ellis, who has 3 slim volumes to his credit: West Pathway, Home and Away, and Spring Collection; he's a lecturer at Birmingham University (UK), though originating in Yorkshire.

Your poem would fit in well with the theme of the reading I am doing in September, though, even though not published in a book - and it is certainly of a high enough standard, imo. Besides - it appeals to me; I like it!

Is your proper name Andrew McGeever? A two/three-line bio - dates and stuff - would be handy, too. I always introduce the poets with a little bit of info, if I can.

As for how I do it... I prepare well, by rehearsing a lot, until I feel comfortable with the poems. I do't recite - memory not good enough, and anyway, I don't like recitations - I read 'em. But I know 'em well enough to be able to keep eye-contact with the audience, and exchange comments and smiles and laughs with them. I avoid 'weepy' poetry - your voice goes if your eyes are flowing with tears, lol! - and I like narrative verse best, but I read all sorts. My only real criterion is that I have to like it. If I don't, it can go take a walk, no matter how famous the poet or well-loved the poem.

[Fljotsdale]

Are you there, Andrew?

[Andrew McGeever]

Dear Fljotsdale,
Here I am!
Re biographical details, yes my name is Andrew McGeever. I have been published in newspaper, magazine and booklet format in Scotland and Canada. Some poetry competition plaudits have also come my way (but nothing of late!)
Since our correspondence was initiated through the Leonard Cohen Files, maybe you could use the bio info which Jarkko asked me to send when he placed my "Mythologies and Oranges" in the Files a couple of years ago.
The link is http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/hydraC2F.html

If you like M&O, maybe you could throw it into your reading?

Thanks,
Andrew.

[Andrew McGeever]

Dear Fljotsdale,
I forgot....my job...I teach mathematics
Re M&O, Leonard Cohen appreciated it: I sent it to him by way of a 66th birthday present, and I received a very warm e-mail from him in response. Oh yes, I still have that e-mail!!
Andrew.