Who is Dmitry Kabalevsky?

I'm currently working on the translation of some liner notes about Dmitry Kabalevsky, a 20th century Russian classical music composer. He was born in Saint Petersburg in 1904, lived through the revolution and had a long career in music and music education. 

Never heard of Kabalevsky? Me neither, but that's what I love about translation . . . I get to learn about new things all the time. Here are some Kabalevsky facts:

Kabalevsky was a controversial figure in Russian culture. He had been considered among the top five greatest composers but was later included in the list of those accused of “formalism.” In his works, Kabalevsky extolled the objectives and aspirations of the Soviet Union, commemorating the most important events of the life and history of its people. 

The First Symphony, was dedicated to the revolution on its 15th anniversary with a depiction of the Russian people under the czarist regime and then a celebration of the people's rebellion and victory. The Third Symphony (Requiem), was composed for the 10th anniversary of the death of Lenin, in memory of the Soviet heroes who died during the First World War. The work The Taras Family exalts the partisan's fight against the invading Nazis during the Second World War. 

His style harkens back to the tradition of Russian musicians such as Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky and Borodin, yet he distinguishes himself for his charming and exhilarating melodic vein, rhythmic energy and attention to the folkloric element.

Kabalevsky composed operas, ballets, choral operas, the musical scores for theatrical and radio productions, film soundtracks, four symphonies, concerts, songs and pieces for the piano for young pianists and instrumentalists. He remains famous in the West primarily for the use of his music in teaching.

Please enjoy the upbeat Prelude No. 2, Scherzando

The Search for a Good Book

Reading is one of my great passions and I'm always on the lookout for a good novel to read. When I first came to Italy, getting my  hands on a decent selection of high quality books in English was a real problem. There were some titles available at the Feltrinelli in Bari, but they were mostly the bestsellers (not always synonymous with "good reading" in my personal opinion) or language teaching reference texts. 

Imagine my joy when I discovered Daedalus Books & Music, "Quality Books and Music at Up to 90% Off." They carry overstocked items and sell them at fantastic prices, plus somehow their taste and mine are really a perfect match. Back then I would receive a paper catalogue in the mail, peruse it passionately for days and days to make my selections. Mail off my order and then wait months until my precious box of books would arrive from the US by ship. Now you can find Daedalus on-line and all shipping is by air, such a luxury!

For the last several years my recreational reading choices have been determined by the monthly selections of the book clubs I've belonged to. Since a different club member chooses a book each month, we have had some real highs and some real lows. I really hated both Where Rainbows End, by Cecelia Ahern, and Oblivion, by David Foster Wallace. Two wildly different books, one a saccharine-sweet romantically improbable bit of fluff, the other the mind-grinding observations of a neurotic and overly analytical, deeply unhappy genius (in fact, Wallace committed suicide in 2008). 

Book club has, however, brought me such treasures as A Fine Balance, by Rohinton Mistry, and introduced me to the magical dreamlike world of Toni Morrison. But, in all honesty, one of my favorite things about the book club group's choices is this very aspect of its nature . . . I never know what I'm getting myself into when I start reading each month. The book may be a gem, or it might drive me crazy, but either way a friend of mine thought it was worth reading, so I'm willing to take a gamble on it.

I have recently screwed up my courage and taken a dive off the deep end into reading novels in Italian. 

After finishing Io e te by Niccolo Ammaniti in one day (it was that good!), at the moment I'm reading his Che la festa cominci. I am a big fan of Ammaniti because he writes in a clear, immediate style. His characters speak the way Italians really do today. His stories and characters accurately reflect contemporary Italian social issues, people and their real lives . . . he exaggerates them just enough to render everything absurd and laughable, but in a sort of bittersweet way. You laugh because he takes people and situations that you recognize, but then pushes them just one stop beyond "normal." So they are funny, but they are so close to real that it's a funny that's not really funny . . . painfully funny, if you know what I mean. They also have an emotional depth and punch that you don't find every day.

Che la festa cominci (published in Italian in 2009) is not out in an English translation yet, but several of his others are. I'll Steal You Away, I'm Not Scared and As God Commands are all brilliant. So far, this is not my favorite of his books, it's a little bit silly, a little bit too wild and wacky, but I haven't finished it yet, so I can't pass final judgement.

What are YOU reading right now? Do you have any suggestions for me? I love to read books recommended by a friend!

Double Cool, Double Groove

How to avoid losing your mind when doing a particularly tedious translation? I listen to the radio on my computer with earphones and it seems to help me find the mental strength to push on through with the work when every cell in my brain is screaming out "oh my God, how can anyone write such dull material?!?!"

Not just any station will do, however. If the music is too involving or loud I'll lose my concentration. Through trial and error I've discovered that Radio Montecarlo 2 is my ideal dull translation soundtrack. It offers 24 hour, nonstop soft jazzy versions of every song you can imagine...without commercials! That means there's nothing really that catches my attention or needs extra mental effort, it just provides a seamless rhythmic background that somehow makes the grind less painful.

It's cool, international "atmosphere" music, ideal for your next cocktail party or book club meeting...or dreadful translation!

Meow

Dear friends, I have not been ignoring you over the past few days. Or rather, ok, maybe I have been ignoring you just a little bit...but I think about you all the time! I just haven't had time to sit down and write a post. 

You see, even when I'm on my lovely, luxuriously two-month long vacation from my job teaching EFL at the University of Bari...I am never *really* on vacation because I do free-lance translation work. So, while I should be lazing about, relaxing and drinking mojitos (because that's what everyone does all summer long, right?) instead I am wrestling with unwieldy tracts on "fascinating" subjects like “Securities and Investment Contracts in Italian Law” or a complete, detailed history of the Italian Navy.... 

I feel like the kitty in the photo below...a bit bug-eyed, with my tongue hanging out...yikes!

(photo courtesy of We Heart It)

Hope to finish soon and have more time for the good stuff, like blogging and leaving comments on your blogs!

Apulia. A Film Tourism Guide

This past winter I translated a wonderful book that is a combination travel guide and guide to the sites and stars of all the films that have ever been shot in the Apulia region. The book is the result of a collaborative effort between the Region of Apulia and the Apulia Film Commission. Its aims are to increase tourism in the area, by attracting those people interested in films and visiting the locations where they were shot, and to encourage filmmakers to consider Apulia when searching for locations for new films.

Here's an excerpt from the blurb on the inside of the front cover:

"They are called 'locations,' but in Apulia they are simply life. Not only the most crystal-clear, spectacular sea you have ever seen, extending for 800 kilometres of coastline. Also the dazzling expanses of wheat seen in I'm Not Scared, the centuries-old olive trees and the ravines that 'wound' the land. The deserted villages of the Subapennine area and the candid towns eternally captured 'nel blu dipinto di blu' by Domenico Modugno. The trullos that captivate the English and now seduce Bollywood. The 'western' Murgia and the beaches of past invaders and present immigrants, the place were Lamerica begins. The indolent holiday resorts and the sensual nights that move to the rhythm of the taranta. The castles of Federico II and the Romanesque cathedrals. The mountain of the Angel and the cult of Padre Pio. The Ilva smokestacks and the outskirts of the cities. Bari, the hometown of the enamoured Meryl Streep of Madison County and of the resurrected Petruzzelli where Liz Taylor captivated the young Toscanini. The Felliniesque bands dear to Nino Rota. Castellaneta represents the legend of Rudolph Valentino. In the heart of Baroque Lecce, the nakedness of history and the strength of the light 'in the south of the south of the saints' of Carmelo Bene.
Ten itineraries to discover Apulia, a variable scenery for hundreds of sets, from Pasolini, Totò, the Taviani brothers, Monicelli and Wertmuller, to Placido, Amelio, Salvatores, Rubini and Moretti. Visions and symbols, famous masters and young talents, characters and places in search of a region where films come to life."

The English version was released this month and you can buy your very own copy on-line. The only problem is that all the links I have found are in Italian! Even the publishers, Laterza, don't have an English page in their on-line catalogue...I have to go pay them a visit and talk to them about this! In the meantime, you can place your order in Italian here.