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Comment from jrt
Date: June 23, 2008, 7:25 pm

This is not a comment in reference to your subject. I just wondered why you feel it appropriate to talk over the Alex DeGrassi selection and the song Friendship, but not over the Michael Torke. Is the latter more worthy of respect and attentive listening?

Comment from anna
Date: June 23, 2008, 7:40 pm

I used to host single events myself and one shared quality I noticed among people who were single (but didn’t want to be) was what I thought of as being “socially tone-deaf”. They tended to miss the subtle cues of a conversation that so often have to do with rhythm and pause — the give and take of any improvisation. However I notice that some degree of this can set in even amongst those of us who are not single any longer, but work from home or spend too much time on the computer (er-hum). Perhaps playing music instead of just listening might also help? I haven’t tested out this theory, however.

Comment from Margaret
Date: June 23, 2008, 7:41 pm

Hi ~

The Philip Glass piece was riveting. On what cd does this appear? Should I be looking for Michael Torke or Philip Glass? I just checked on amazon and couldn’t find it. I would love to find this gorgeous piece of music!

Best wishes ~
margaret

Comment from Carlos Garcia
Date: June 23, 2008, 7:42 pm

I have been single for 3 years now, after 2 (4+) year relationships, I have learned that it’s about enjoying LIFE. This will hold true for when I’m in my next relationship, but being used to this single freedom, it will be hard to give that up :p
CG

Comment from Richard Mitnick
Date: June 23, 2008, 7:44 pm

No one will deny the dynamism and energy of a live concert, say, at Avery Fisher, Zankel, etc. But you know what? There you have coughing, you have whispering, you certainly have no teaching.

A pristine listening experience is only to be obtained by buying the CD or the .mp3.

So, Terrance, keep teaching.

>>RSM

Comment from Margaret
Date: June 23, 2008, 7:52 pm

Thank you, Terrance!

You’re the best!

Comment from Margaret
Date: June 23, 2008, 7:56 pm

p.s. it’s “Thirsty Ear”, not “Thirst Year” - just FYI

Comment from Tom, Cooper Sq.
Date: June 23, 2008, 8:09 pm

We are single when it is just we and our own subconscious in the transaction.

When Jacques Lacan, the remarkable French postmodern psychoanalyst, was asked if he had a model for the human unconsciousness, he famously replied, “Baltimore in the morning”. No center, no periphery, no predetermined “should-haves”. In other words, a kind of energetic integrated chaos of actions in which family isn’t central. A kludge. At its best, this is what being single was like. Being single is a long mindstate in which there is nothing like an enforceable “unkept promises list”. By social conditioning there was no loneliness of any kind that I can remember. (The freudians will observe that this is impressive if typical youthful repression.) It was a time of such freedom because there was no other person to take care of or by whom to be taken care of, and this was with zero anxiety, effectively zero frustration. and absolutely zero resentment. It was subject to quite venomous charges by women that I was very immature, not seeing the virtues of having a betrothed. Yet, there was no buyer’s remorse and no anticipatory buyer’s remorse, no retrospective anticipatory buyer’s remorse. Shopping was almost always swift and completely ruthless in it’s efficiency. Security was not an issue, so it wasn’t missed.

The last mistress before finding life’s partner at Grammercy Park was the Sorbonne, something that almost certainly would have fractured any needy intimate pairing.

Then things changed. My partner was non-trivial and non-judgemental, and she magnified the sense of unconventional security (and therefore my security need) by her intensive imaginative intellect. She had more than wit (which was exuberant), had already explored academic history and the inner life extensively, and had very serious curiosity with keen intellectual integrity. She had no reason to dismissively denigrate Literary Theory or Culture Theory as being irrelevant to life. She essentially adopted me, which, naturally, suggests that she was sometimes too lonely and needed someone to care for who wasn’t really needy and wasn’t fawning. Her self-needs were (and have stayed for decades) of the unfearfully cooperative, “what do you have in mind” listening sort. This despite my being of the “highly imperfect match” sort.

I sense that for many women –notwithstanding the avid laughter of lovely independent adventures— it’s quite different because of how supercharged the social conventions of status and danger are when women judge and hyper-validate one another. It is an ideology that is emotionally cruel, in my opinion. “That’s such interesting work you do, but it can be a challenge for family, can’t it? So… are you seeing anyone these days? What is he (or she) like / what is his business? What a good prospect! Oh.. did I tell you? …I know you’re curious… I heard that your old friend So-and-so has such a beautiful new family… look, I just happen to have a picture of her wonderful baby…they were so fortunate to get started right away.” It’s a conspiracy of limiting the world view to biologic achievement, the pursuit of substance-security, and physical destiny (including satisfying just material hedonist needs) as defining a formula for conventional happiness. “Have fun looking your best. And the most important beauty secret is to remember to make lots and lots of time for love.” None of those stereotypes are at all necessary. We all need to remember how Sheherazade kept her inventive allure active lifelong and thereby saved her life from destruction. In my opinion, the same avoidance of stereotypes and staying vibrantly inventive for a partner’s learning applies to men in being good to our partners.

Single is a way of handling opportunity. It can be an out-of-breath hunt, or it can be “getting lucky” by thoroughly assembling your first international best seller. But either way, it’s a focused talent-choice. This means that it takes real effort and skillful attentiveness, and will not be happy if left to the indolence of trusting commonplace nature. As is proverbial, a person can’t be lonely if they’ve really made respectful friends with themselves, aptly tolerating weakness and working always for improvement. The “friends with self” proverb fits within having a partner relationship as well as without having a partner relationship. Please tell me if I’ve missed the mark too widely. Ciao, T

Comment from Tom, Cooper Sq.
Date: June 23, 2008, 8:44 pm

On this same subject, maybe look at the June 30, 2008 New Yorker, pg 60 lower left. Ciao

Comment from Angela, North Harlem
Date: June 24, 2008, 4:14 pm

Although I am enjoying being single, every now and then I long for couplehood which I last enjoyed in 1996. However, all things considered, one of the cool aspects of singleness in NYC is that you can go to Barnes and Noble or Bryant Park and feel connected to others. The conversations people will initiate are always surprising!

Comment from Chris
Date: June 24, 2008, 7:06 pm

The Phillip Glass song is also on The Hours soundtrack… if you like the song, check out the movie… it drives that haunting tension along…

Comment from Tom, Cooper Sq.
Date: June 24, 2008, 7:08 pm

Hey Terrance,
Unfailing sense of humor. We’re with you and we all spell it the same way no matter what. …and the kid was superb… reads above grade-level as we can now all hear. Definitely a star-on-star interview. LOL Ciao, T

Comment from Adil
Date: June 24, 2008, 7:52 pm

What’s the name of Philip Glass’ song? Thanks.

Comment from Margaret
Date: June 24, 2008, 7:54 pm

Drifting along in that light sleep that follows an exhausting day, I suddenly heard those beautiful notes again and my head told me “there it is! it’s the song!” and the most contented feeling crept over me. Next thing I hear you reading my words from last night’s contact back over the radio and absolutely glowed!! THANK YOU!! What a special little cap on the day!

But I fear that I offended you, Terrance, when I also wrote that it is “thirsty ear” and I did NOT say that you had the reading level of a 3rd-grader or whatever! I merely wrote it to you because, I had just gone to the website and noticed how they wrote it and just thought you might want to know… Please accept my apologies for any offense; none was meant!! And again, thanks for playing “Metamorphosis”, and thanks for reading my words back on the air. Such a lovely way to wake from the nap!

And to Chris, above: THANK YOU for mentioning “The Hours.” I knew I’d heard this piece somewhere before. Yes…a wonderful film, as is the book.

Have a great night ~ all of you!
margaret

Comment from Margaret
Date: June 24, 2008, 7:58 pm

Okay, this time I’LL provide the info for the Philip Glass song. Here you go Adil…

It’s called “Metamorphosis” and it is available on a cd on the website http://www.thirstyear.com. Scroll down on the LEFT side of the page to Daniel Bernard Roumain - it’s on a collection called “etudes4violin&electronix” - looks like a lot of other great stuff is on there. I can’t wait til my copy gets here!! Enjoy!

Comment from MCD
Date: June 24, 2008, 8:12 pm

I agree with Margaret #14-It is nice to hear Terrance read your posts in that melodious voice of his.

As far as what I enjoy about being single is not having to explain spending far too many hours in the mall and not buying anything or having to hide my shoes under the bed or in the closet when I’ve bought more than one pair!

Comment from joel
Date: June 24, 2008, 8:44 pm

hi
about 6 minutes ago or so, give or take, you said that you were having a party over there at the wnyc studios. then you went ahead and put on some super sleepy music. whatʻs up? valium party? gonna have to put you on hold for a few weeks and check back later.

Comment from MCD
Date: June 24, 2008, 8:50 pm

Now you make me feel as if I need to clarify my post-but it’s such a silly story. Let’s suffice it to say that it’s a family joke between two brothers and two sisters-in-law.

Comment from Kurt-Owen Richards
Date: June 24, 2008, 9:20 pm

OK, I’m hooked! How did you get the powers-that-be to allow you to program a vocal work? OK, yeah, it’s a choral masterwork - the Stravinsky Mass - but still, hearing ANY vocal music on WNYC is such a rare event - THANK YOU!

Comment from Beth
Date: June 24, 2008, 10:41 pm

Do you mean “your email address is never published”? It appears that emails are being shared. Thanks.

Comment from WNYC Music
Date: June 25, 2008, 11:37 am

Apropos to poster #20: Even though you are asked to enter your email address when posting to this site, that information is only available to WNYC administrators; your email is never published. Comments, however, are in the public domain and available to everyone who uses this site. Therefore, if an email address or website address is included in the comments section it becomes available to the public. WNYC keeps your personal information in strict confidence, and removes any posts that violate our comments guidelines:

http://www.wnyc.org/about/terms_comments.html

In addition, commercial solicitations are regarded as spam, unless the poster is providing a link to a commercial site that is valuable to the community at large (where to buy a CD played on the air, for example).

Comment from Kurt-Owen Richards
Date: June 25, 2008, 7:30 pm

Doing great, love the programming, but you seem to have caught “Helga Davis disease”, which causes announcers to inexplicably step all over the end of recordings. When the music stops, just take a nice relaxed intake of breath BEFORE you start talking.

Long-time supporter of WNYC AND professional musician.

Comment from steve kaufman
Date: June 25, 2008, 7:33 pm

Well, here we go again…quiz time !!

I’m thinking this is soooo Lucille Ball (whaw…Ricky….whaw). No idea who the guy is (it can’t be Dezi).

Comment from PJH
Date: June 25, 2008, 8:13 pm

What was the song that was played earlier this evening (7:20ish?) by an Italian composer - song title was it something about a sheep (?) - missed it over my 2 year old ruckus and my compulsive side can’t wait until tomorrow to see the play list. Very much wanted to hear it again.

PS great programming…

Comment from Claudio Sandoval
Date: June 25, 2008, 9:52 pm

Hi Terrance,

Sometime last week you started the show with a “Prelude to a Merengue” by Paquito de Rivera??? You started reading about dominican merengue and how it’s danced, etc. I listened and listened and then realized that it was actually Venezuelan merengue which is completely different from dominican. It is a five-count beat. 1-2-3-4-5, 1-2-3-4-5, etc. I was so excited to hear something like that since I’m born in Venezuela and grew up playing traditional venezuelan music with my brother. I just thought I’d let you know this just so you can look into Venezuelan merengue and hear how amazing it is!

Comment from jmp
Date: June 25, 2008, 11:02 pm

TM
Hi Terrence.
For so long I’ve meant to applaud your genius, taste and gentle spoken introductions to the heavens of aural interest.
Thank you.
Peace/ITN
JMP

Comment from Earl Gillem
Date: June 26, 2008, 12:36 pm

Terrance,

Just a quick note to let you know that you may find additional information on jazz pianist Dwike Mitchell in the web-site All Music Guide under the heading Mitchell/Ruff Trio.

By the way, I believe he is still alive and lives in Washington, D.C.

Hope this helps!

Earl Gillem

Comment from Suzy
Date: June 26, 2008, 3:57 pm

I’m in love with Terrance McKnight and bless the good sense of WNYC in bringing him to NY. His show is provocative and inspirational. Thank you, Mr. McKnight for bringing your unique perspective to Evening Music.

Comment from Marc
Date: June 26, 2008, 7:42 pm

Dear Terrance - many thanks for your show, I am a great admirer and tune in whenever I can.

However, while speaking about couples, there’s one thing about the former program that I miss, especially while cooking for my wife: Wagner. I am certainly not advocating Tristan everywhere as in the past, but a little more would be nice - a bit of Wesendonck for today’s piano selection for example?

Comment from Patricia in Ozarks
Date: June 26, 2008, 9:05 pm

Don’t consider it multi tasking to listen to your music while writing the novel. the one feeds the other & whatever you program fits with that night’s work

Comment from jawbone
Date: June 26, 2008, 9:54 pm

Tonight’s program (Thursday, 6/26), all the choral music, is so gorgeous, so beautiful, so compelling–well, to rein in my enthusiasm, let me just say I love choral music, and this has been a wonderful exposure to music I haven’t known about.

Please, sir, may we have some more?

Where do we find the playlist? T/u.

Comment from David
Date: June 27, 2008, 4:17 pm

You can’t please all the people all the time and I’ve I’m one of the people you don’t please.

It concerns me that I can’t pinpoint what it is that you do or don’t do that David Garland didn’t do or did. After giving your show a fair listen I’ll be tuning to another station in your time slot without guilt.

Comment from Agreed with 32
Date: June 29, 2008, 9:37 pm

i too believe the above. But i CAN pinpoint the differences. David does not talk through Dawn Upshaw’s last note about calling him if you are single. Hes not a idiot.
For further proof about this refer to another post on this page….

” I just wondered why you feel it appropriate to talk over the Alex DeGrassi selection and the song Friendship, but not over the Michael Torke. Is the latter more worthy of respect and attentive listening?”

Comment from marja samsom
Date: July 6, 2008, 1:16 am

really love broad scope of your show,
hats off evryone working alongside.
sizzling
xo

Comment from Leigh
Date: July 7, 2008, 9:21 am

Being Single: I appreciate the absolute luxury of time to myself. More opportunity to carefully consider just about anything and everything - right down to every comment that comes out of my mouth. Might sound dangerously close to becoming obsessive but not if you’re aware of the positiveness rather than the negative “alone’” stigma we have all been programmed to believe in. My Mother always told me to be careful about living alone for too long a time, She said “you get to the point where you can’t live with anyone.” There is some truth to that, as usual with my Mother’s wisdom.

Comment from Marie Ellen
Date: July 8, 2008, 11:29 pm

Your show has changed my evenings for the better. It’s great to hear so much different and good music following a long day at work. You’ve added greatly to the daily programming at WNYC.

Best, Marie Ellen