Brilliant writer and all around Good Guy Eddie Silva (formerly with the RFT, currently with the SLSO) , has initiated a book group based on Alex Ross' The Rest is Noise:
"Over five Tuesdays the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) invites lovers of music, literature and beer to meet at the downtown Schlafly Tap Room to share their impressions of The Rest Is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century, the National Book Critics Circle award-winner by 2008 MacArthur Fellow and New Yorker staff writer Alex Ross. The Rest Is Noise Reading Group will include discussion, recorded musical excerpts as well as occasional live performances by SLSO musicians, and guest appearances by SLSO Music Director David Robertson. These events are free and open to the public.
The Rest Is Noise is a unique cultural phenomenon in that it makes popular what many consider an unpopular art form: the music of the last century. The SLSO seeks to take advantage of Ross’ highly entertaining and informative historical narrative by providing a casual, community setting where ideas, music and beer may be shared, and where the music of the last century may advocated, argued, understood, and enjoyed.
The Rest Is Noise Reading Group will be held in the Eliot Room of the Schlafly Tap Room (2100 Locust Street at 21st) on Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30pm on October 21 & 28, November 18 & 25, and December 2. The paperback edition of The Rest Is Noise was released October 14. Those who wish to participate may purchase the book online or at local bookstores. Roughly three chapters will be discussed at each session. SLSO Publications Manager, and slso blog writer, Eddie Silva will serve as facilitator, with members of the orchestra and staff as co-hosts.
'Art lives upon discussion,' said Henry James. Discussion thrives upon beer. The Rest Is Noise brings the 20th century and 20th century music to vivid focus. Participants are asked to R.S.V.P. to eddies@slso.org or 314-286-4134 so the SLSO and the Schlafly Tap Room will know how many people to anticipate."
If you're not familiar with Alex Ross, you might want to check out this piece in The New Yorker, on the topic of John Adams' Doctor Atomic at the Met (Adams has had several premieres at SLSO, thanks to that hero David Robertson). The reason I suggest it is that Adams is contemporary and a bit more accessible, and Doctor Atomic will be live-broadcast both at the Art Museum or The Hett in early November, so you can read Ross, then see the show. In any case, if you skip that, or Eddie's reading group, that essay may inspire you to pick up Ross' book now that it is a very affordable paperback. —Stefene Russell
