Belle Journee - Post Pandemic
Greetings Harmoniums,
It was another triumphant session at Panhandle House Studios (that's the ONLY kind they have there!). The staff, owners, and facility are second to none in their attention to technical and artistic detail, education, courtesy, and professionalism. It's a tad bit expensive this hobby: writing/producing/arr./scoring/recording my own original works, but it is my passion. The monstrosity, “Belle Journee”, I once publicly remarked, is "Wagnerian" in size. True or not, it does have about everything you could think might belong in a 9-minute orchestral/choral work (and some things you might think do NOT belong there ;^). This weekend's session had a special feel as, like many of you a mere two+ years ago, I wondered if sessions [and things] like this would be possible in any sort of near-term timeframe. So many critical folks have been attached to recording sessions for this behemoth dating half a decade ago. They've heard me attempt to declare the piece finished so many times I think they quit listening; who could blame them? This time next year I will take it to final mix and mastering in its 40th year since conception.
