Burt Bacharach interview at the Library of Congress (2012)
Feb 9, 2023 20:22:01 GMT
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Post by Lucky Dan on Feb 9, 2023 20:22:01 GMT
Burt Bacharach was interviewed at the Library of Congress in May of 2012 when he and songwriting partner Hal David were awarded the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. He talked about his career since the early 1960s, when he first teamed with David, and the songwriting, film scoring, and recording processes.
At about the 19 minute mark, he is asked briefly about his classical training, but my favorite anecdote about that era is not in this interview, so I'll pass it on here. While studying with French composer Darius Milhaud in the summer of 1947, a time when most young composers were writing dissonant or atonal works, Burt brought a sonatina to Milhaud and felt sheepish that it contained a pleasant melody. "Burt," Milhaud said, "never ever feel embarrassed or discomforted by a melody people can remember or whistle."
At about the 19 minute mark, he is asked briefly about his classical training, but my favorite anecdote about that era is not in this interview, so I'll pass it on here. While studying with French composer Darius Milhaud in the summer of 1947, a time when most young composers were writing dissonant or atonal works, Burt brought a sonatina to Milhaud and felt sheepish that it contained a pleasant melody. "Burt," Milhaud said, "never ever feel embarrassed or discomforted by a melody people can remember or whistle."
