I also like Eric Dolphy's comment on a recording I remember listening to: "When you hear music, after it is over, it is gone in the air. You can never capture it again."
I don’t remember my first piano lesson, but I know I was four years old when my father began teaching me. I later had formal piano lessons... maybe by age five? But I’m so glad that I had a kind and nurturing father who passed on his love of music to me instead of a martinet such as Cecil had to endure. That’s no way to teach a child. But yes, notes are merely symbols, a way to visually represent the music for posterity. It is the feeling behind the music that is everything. In the same manner, letters form words, which in turn are transformed by brilliant authors into illuminating poems and prose. But notes and letters themselves do not impact our lives, as they are merely the tools that are used when we seek to express ourselves. It is the music and literature which acts as the connective tissue between us all as we attempt to explore the human condition.
My name is Samuel and I am currently working as a researcher gathering all known archival material on behalf of Cecil Taylor and the newly established Cecil P Taylor Foundation in Brooklyn NY. As Cecil is currently preparing a documentary as well as an upcoming autobiography, we are currently reaching out to all musical peers, institutions, academics, friends and fans to help him gather all known archival material regarding Mr Taylor including; home movies, concert films, personal and professional photography, documentary footage, television segments, print, radio interviews, lectures, posters and audio recordings of his gargantuan body of work. We have recently come across this amazing video on your channel and it would be brilliant to organize obtaining a copy of this for Cecil's archives. The award winning Australian filmmaker Amiel Courtin-Wilson is currently living with Cecil at his home in Brooklyn and overseeing the archiving of Cecil's poetry, letters, music and personal items of interest and as we are currently relying on volunteers to aid in this task, we hope that you can help us in our goal to create a definitive database of Cecil's artistic output over the last six decades. As we are gathering material from literally hundreds of sources from around the world we are hoping to find the highest quality source material possible so we would greatly appreciate any leads you may have in regards to radio or television stations that certain programs were broadcast on, as well as any other known contacts you may have who might also have material related to Mr Taylor. Thank you very much for your time and we look forward to hearing from you soon. All the very best, Samuel
samuel..saw that this is 2 years ago, but wonder how it is/did go? I know Cecil and also have one contact at least - some one who new him very well for years..reply here if you see this..
Is the autobiography still in progress? I’d be eager to read it. Sadly, although Cecil’s playing was always dynamic and varied, his stories, particularly those about his mother and practice, were repetitive.
As with his music, Mr. Taylor does not spoon feed the recipient of his thoughts and ideas with easily digestible sound bites. He requires others to work at understanding and appreciating his music and ideas; they have to bring something to it, meeting him halfway. Only then can true understanding and appreciation appear.
In a sense you're right; he is a freak of nature, a superlative musician and thinker well beyond the run of the mill. His greatness may seem freakish, but only to those of us who are chained to the nuts and bolts of existence, with feet planted firmly on terra firma and unable to see beyond ones immediate needs and desires.
Many people believe that knowing or enjoying the work of this great man is a matter of personal taste. But allowing mere personal preferences determine ones exposure to greatness is absurd. A personal preference must be determined not by ones own prejudice or degree of exposure to something, but rather it must be sought out and put to the test beyond ones limitations of education or upbringing. When I overheard someone ridiculing Cecil Taylor's playing I decided to buy one of his records and judge for myself. When I heard that record ("Silent Tongues", 1974) I was astonished at his vision and almost superhuman mastery of the piano. When I listen to Mr. Taylor performing I am exalted, elevated beyond this mundane workaday world into a realm of sheer bliss and magnificence.
"The note is a rather uninteresting symbol that equates to the sound. But sound is always within us."
if i live to be 85, i hope to be just like him...
how wonderful
What a magnificent old queen. There is unlikely to be another suchlike. Once he has passed, we will see what emerges.
Shine On Cecil ~ Thank you for everything 🦋
I also like Eric Dolphy's comment on a recording I remember listening to: "When you hear music, after it is over, it is gone in the air. You can never capture it again."
i love his voice and the way he talks
RIP to the greatest. Your inspiration and your legacy will live long enough as well.
My favorite statement of his: Everyone has their own way of organizing sound.
What a beautiful human being!
"Let us hope we don't destroy it all"
R.I.P. Cecil Taylor.
What a fascinating man and musician. To hear him speak commands respect!
I don’t remember my first piano lesson, but I know I was four years old when my father began teaching me. I later had formal piano lessons... maybe by age five? But I’m so glad that I had a kind and nurturing father who passed on his love of music to me instead of a martinet such as Cecil had to endure. That’s no way to teach a child.
But yes, notes are merely symbols, a way to visually represent the music for posterity. It is the feeling behind the music that is everything. In the same manner, letters form words, which in turn are transformed by brilliant authors into illuminating poems and prose. But notes and letters themselves do not impact our lives, as they are merely the tools that are used when we seek to express ourselves. It is the music and literature which acts as the connective tissue between us all as we attempt to explore the human condition.
God bless the old queen.
My name is Samuel and I am currently working as a researcher gathering all known archival material on behalf of Cecil Taylor and the newly established Cecil P Taylor Foundation in Brooklyn NY.
As Cecil is currently preparing a documentary as well as an upcoming autobiography, we are currently reaching out to all musical peers, institutions, academics, friends and fans to help him gather all known archival material regarding Mr Taylor including; home movies, concert films, personal and professional photography, documentary footage, television segments, print, radio interviews, lectures, posters and audio recordings of his gargantuan body of work.
We have recently come across this amazing video on your channel
and it would be brilliant to organize obtaining a copy of this for Cecil's archives.
The award winning Australian filmmaker Amiel Courtin-Wilson is currently living with Cecil at his home in Brooklyn and overseeing the archiving of Cecil's poetry, letters, music and personal items of interest and as we are currently relying on volunteers to aid in this task, we hope that you can help us in our goal to create a definitive database of Cecil's artistic output over the last six decades.
As we are gathering material from literally hundreds of sources from around the world we are hoping to find the highest quality source material possible so we would greatly appreciate any leads you may have in regards to radio or television stations that certain programs were broadcast on, as well as any other known contacts you may have who might also have material related to Mr Taylor.
Thank you very much for your time and we look forward to hearing from you soon.
All the very best, Samuel
hows research coming?
I think we shall never know.
samuel..saw that this is 2 years ago, but wonder how it is/did go? I know Cecil and also have one contact at least - some one who new him very well for years..reply here if you see this..
Is the autobiography still in progress? I’d be eager to read it. Sadly, although Cecil’s playing was always dynamic and varied, his stories, particularly those about his mother and practice, were repetitive.
Love him!
Awesome !
So his student at the university he was teaching at was also Iannis Xenakis' student? Who IS that guy?
Kenny G.
Arigato!
Great Teacher!
5:26
Great!
Ito!
I can never really understand what he is saying during interviews? It's all too cryptic, I feel.
As with his music, Mr. Taylor does not spoon feed the recipient of his thoughts and ideas with easily digestible sound bites. He requires others to work at understanding and appreciating his music and ideas; they have to bring something to it, meeting him halfway. Only then can true understanding and appreciation appear.
he's a real freak!
He's a wonderful person!
more like the real deal.
@@dylanthomaswalter all 3
In a sense you're right; he is a freak of nature, a superlative musician and thinker well beyond the run of the mill. His greatness may seem freakish, but only to those of us who are chained to the nuts and bolts of existence, with feet planted firmly on terra firma and unable to see beyond ones immediate needs and desires.
@@tomfurgas2844 well spoken! hindsight that there exists something extra ordinary is the only thing we mere mortals can admit.
One of America's greatest genius and treasures, and exactly .005% of Americans know who he is. Shameful.
Many people believe that knowing or enjoying the work of this great man is a matter of personal taste. But allowing mere personal preferences determine ones exposure to greatness is absurd. A personal preference must be determined not by ones own prejudice or degree of exposure to something, but rather it must be sought out and put to the test beyond ones limitations of education or upbringing. When I overheard someone ridiculing Cecil Taylor's playing I decided to buy one of his records and judge for myself. When I heard that record ("Silent Tongues", 1974) I was astonished at his vision and almost superhuman mastery of the piano. When I listen to Mr. Taylor performing I am exalted, elevated beyond this mundane workaday world into a realm of sheer bliss and magnificence.
Great interview. Completely fucking annoying film editing, however.