Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 224
•
Trim: 6¼ x 9¼
978-1-4422-5076-5 • Hardback • July 2015 • $97.00 • (£75.00)
978-1-5381-0438-5 • Paperback • January 2017 • $50.00 • (£38.00)
978-1-4422-5077-2 • eBook • July 2015 • $47.50 • (£37.00)
Kirke Mechem is the composer of some 250 published titles, most notably four operas and many orchestral and vocal works that have graced the stages of opera houses and symphony halls throughout the world. He is commonly referred to as the “dean of American choral music.” His opera Tartuffe has been performed more than 400 times in six countries.
Prelude
Chapter 1: Exposition
Chapter 2: Military Music
Chapter 3: Key Change: The Accidental Composer
Chapter 4: Counterpoint: What Is American Music?
Chapter 5: Development
Chapter 6: Vienna, con tutta forza
Chapter 7: Major / Minor
Chapter 8: Vienna, recapitulation
Chapter 9: Choral Cycles
Chapter 10: Sinfonia Giubilante
Chapter 11: Lento, molto sostenuto
Chapter 12: Unresolved Dissonance
Chapter 13: London: Deceptive Cadence
Chapter 14: Professor Nontroppo to the Jayhawk
Chapter 15: Opera 101: Composing Tartuffe
Chapter 16: Opera 102: The Real Opera World
Chapter 17: The Life and Death of John Brown
Chapter 18: Everyone Sang
Chapter 19: John Brown’s Resurrection
Chapter 20: Intermezzo: What Is American Opera?
Chapter 21: Russian Extravaganza
Chapter 22: Tartuffe Spricht Deutsch
Chapter 23: The Rivals: Flatulence Will Get You Nowhere
Chapter 24: Darcy Sings: Pride & Prejudice
Chapter 25: Coda: A Summing-Up
Appendix 1: Choral music: “The Text Trap”
Appendix 2: “Afterword” to John Brown
Appendix 3: “The Hymn Bandit”
Kirke Mechem’s recent memoir proves captivating throughout. . . [He] delves into the narrative behind his varied and rich compositional output as well as his personal successes and challenges, intimately weaving biography, philosophy, and humor as he reflects on the why of his life. Akin to his compositional style, Mechem’s prose is nuanced, lyrical, and is often as humorous and witty as it is serious and cautionary. His elegant voice inspires future generations of musicians to be more reflective and to follow their own path, just as he avoided the trends and fads of the post-war period.Believe Your Ears is a book for everyone, from the music enthusiast to the conductor interpreting one of Mechem’s choral works to the composer-conductor for whom Mechem provides frequent compositional advice. Such advice and anecdotes illuminate the essence of what this composer values most in music and in life: simply put, an inventive and expressive lyrical melody that supports a captivating story.... Mechem does not shy away from sharing his pain and failures as well as his joy and accomplishments. As a cornerstone in American classical music, Kirke Mechem not only greatly contributes to the choral canon but, through this honest, engaging, and remarkably entertaining memoir, he also imparts wisdom and much needed perspective to readers of younger generations.— The Choral Scholar
Kirke Mechem, American composer of song, symphony, choral works, and opera, emerges as a compelling memoirist in his new book - Believe Your Ears: Life of a Lyric Composer.— National Opera Association Newsletter
An entertaining and informative memoir; it doesn’t speak to the reader like an academic tome. . . . He keeps the story light with interesting anecdotes and side stories. . . . Very valuable is the final chapter “Coda,” where he goes into great detail about tonality and atonality in the 20th century and explains both systems for the average reader. His is a life well-lived, we learn—one which crossed paths with many of the great minds and talents of the last 100 years. These include Benjamin Britten, Billy Jean King and Randall Thompson, to name a few. . . . [A] well-written page turner that will appeal to everyone, but especially to the opera educator who wants to know a little more about his opera compositional process; the choral conductor looking to learn about Mechem’s choral works, and the composer wanting to gain some practical knowledge.— The Opera Journal
The distinguished composer of more than 250 works, including classic choral works and the well-received opera Tartuffe, as well as John Brown and The Rivals, Kirke Mechem tells a story that combines the autobiography of a boy from Kansas who stumbles into an exceptional career in music
with a fascinating first-person history of classical music in the 20th century. As a musician, teacher, observer — and a great tennis player to boot — Mechem embodies the persistence and kindness for which he has long been held in high regard.— OPERA America
Forgive composer Mechem's lack of affection for atonality. Then forge into this impassioned memoir and follow an improbable path that led to his catalogue of over 250 works. His three-act Tartuffe is a signature piece, but 'genre-defying' is a more accurate term to describe his work than are 'choral' or 'opera'. . . .the payoff is a lively read and the author is clearly (and charmingly) devoted to his muse.— San Francisco Classical Voice
Forgive composer Mechem's lack of affection for atonality. Then forge into this impassioned memoir and follow an improbable path that led to his catalogue of over 250 works. His three-act Tartuffe is a signature piece, but 'genre-defying' is a more accurate term to describe his work than are 'choral' or 'opera'. . . .the payoff is a lively read and the author is clearly (and charmingly) devoted to his muse.— San Francisco Classical Voice
For those unfamiliar with Mechem, Believe Your Ears is a superb introduction to the composer and his work. The author has an engaging 'voice' and is honest in both his successes and his missteps.... The narrative draws the reader in and makes a compelling argument in favor the relevance of traditional tonality. However, the strength of this [book] is not its ability to convince opponents.... Its value lies in its ability to stimulate honest discussion about the state of classical composition and its direction moving forward.— Pan Pipes (Journal of Sigma Alpha Iota)
The central theme of the book is the trajectory of classical music in the second half of the twentieth century, and the conflict between tonality and atonality. [Mechem’s] lyric style belongs to no particular 'school' except the tradition of beauty found in great art. . . . Of special interest will be the three appendices, which include 'The Text Trap,' a reprint of a Choral Journal article from November 2005, and most especially the Coda. . . . Believe Your Ears: Life of a Lyric Composer is highly commended to conductors, opera lovers, and composers for the generous insight and practical approaches Kirke Mechem offers, not only into his own works, but especially the world of music composition in the mid-twentieth century.— Choral Journal
The central theme of the book is the trajectory of classical music in the second half of the twentieth century, and the conflict between tonality and atonality. [Mechem’s] lyric style belongs to no particular 'school' except the tradition of beauty found in great art. . . . Of special interest will be the three appendices, which include 'The Text Trap,' a reprint of a Choral Journal article from November 2005, and most especially the Coda. . . . Believe Your Ears: Life of a Lyric Composer is highly commended to conductors, opera lovers, and composers for the generous insight and practical approaches Kirke Mechem offers, not only into his own works, but especially the world of music composition in the mid-twentieth century.— Choral Journal
In this engaging new memoir, [Mechem] traces his development from boyhood . . . to his current status as the “dean of American choral music.” . . . He is a wonderful writer, one who encourages young composers to restore beauty to their work and readers to reject trends and believe their own ears. — San Jose Mercury News
Believe Your Ears. . . traces an unorthodox path to music in a fascinating narrative.
— Performing Arts Monterey Bay
Kirke Mechem’s intriguing memoir is set within the context of contemporary music development. Mechem tells not only his own fascinating story but also that of art music in general. Reading the book is like listening to Mr. Mechem talk; its conversational tone is easy to digest, and yet the content is detailed and stimulating. Having performed many of Kirke Mechem’s choral works, some with him present for rehearsals, I was eager to learn even more about him and his music. Written with insight and wit, the book is a must-read for choral and opera enthusiasts, for aspiring composers, and for all fans of this remarkable and prolific composer.— Hilary Apfelstadt, director of Choral Activities, University of Toronto, former president, ACDA
For decades, Kirke Mechem’s beautiful, important work has been a cornerstone in the musical experience and education of countless young singers, conductors, and composers, myself included. Having been always filled with admiration for his inventive, stylish, fun, and dramatic work, I was delighted to read about the man behind the music in this heartfelt, engaging, personal, and generous book. Mechem’s journey as an American composer is filled with adventure and possibility. So is his music, which has touched and inspired performers and audiences around the world. — Jake Heggie
Woven through this memoir is a revealing commentary that contextualizes the development of styles and trends in the world of contemporary classical music. Honest, colorful, musically acute, and most of all, wonderfully engaging—just like Kirke's music!— Stephen M. Sano, director of Choral Studies, Stanford University
Believe Your Ears by Kirke Mechem is one of the most inspiring books I've ever read. A sensitive, gracefully-worded, and remarkably entertaining journey that is both an engrossing biography and a detailed examination of his work. This book should be read by everyone interested in music and great writing.— Bill Theisen, director of Opera, University of Iowa School of Music
Fascinating reading, especially to us Americans. I couldn’t put it down. Mr. Mechem offers such a clear look into the profound travails an American composer must face—self-discipline, deep cultural education, craftsmanship, the peculiar complexities of our American cultural politics and above all the incredible courage required to swim against the currents of popular trends. — Kent Nagano, directeur Musical Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal; general music director of the Hamburg State Opera and chief conductor of the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra
Woven through this memoir is a revealing commentary that contextualizes the development of styles and trends in the world of contemporary classical music. Honest, colorful, musically acute, and most of all, wonderfully engaging—just like Kirke's music!— Stephen M. Sano, director of Choral Studies, Stanford University
Believe Your Ears by Kirke Mechem is one of the most inspiring books I've ever read. A sensitive, gracefully-worded, and remarkably entertaining journey that is both an engrossing biography and a detailed examination of his work. This book should be read by everyone interested in music and great writing. — Bill Theisen, director of Opera, University of Iowa School of Music
A refreshing, entertaining and affirming book. . . I have dog-eared many pages to share with my general ed students as well as music majors. I highly recommend this book to students and colleagues alike.— Lou De La Rosa, President, California Chapter American Choral Directors Association