Walker’s experience inspired satirical new book
Gregory Walker, professor of music and entertainment studies at CU Denver’s College of Arts and Media, recently released “Curse of the Maestro and Other Stories,” a collection of tales from members of the fictional Stonehaven Symphony Orchestra. Walker draws on his experience as a concert violinist in imagining the stories. Here’s a Q&A with the author:
What inspired you to write this collection of stories?
I used to write quite a bit, leading up to a novel, “Trigram Cluster Funk,” which was published by Double Dragon in 2013. I got to see the Second Wind Theater premiere of a three-act play, “Chambers of the Heart,” and won the Elizabeth M. Cruthers Prize in Playwriting. Man, was I full of energy. But instead of trying to imagine whole new worlds of fiction again this time around, for “Curse of the Maestro and Other Stories,” I decided to just go with the classical music world I know. It is true that after years of serving as concertmaster of the Boulder Philharmonic, there were some axes to grind.
What is it about orchestra life that lends itself to fiction like that in your book?
So, you look at an orchestra on stage and see the formal, possibly stuffy, appearance of 50-odd tuxedo-clad automatons. But walk backstage with them during intermission and surprise: you got quirky, artistic personalities, interpersonal dramas, affairs of the heart and occasional substance abuse! There are those who say the basic principle of humor is that it's somehow unexpected.
Do you have a favorite character or story from the collection?
Well, instead of sensible stories per se, “Curse of the Maestro” is supposed to be a museum exhibit of diary entries, text messages, scented love letters, and what looks a little like Neo-Nazi music journalism. There’s even a local newspaper interview with Symphony Ladies Guild President Greta Rimwald:
"Greta had grown up listening to the magnificent orchestras of her native Budapest, so that September her therapist introduced her to the Stonehaven Symphony. Sure enough, she found herself intrigued by the Americans, particularly the next generation of outstanding musician interns from local high schools.
“I always had the bekapcsol for these young horn players,” Greta remembers. “There is something about the way they prance about on the stage, so free and wild. And you know, the Maestro was so hot. All the Guild Girls thought so.”
In fact, ages of the sixteen Guild “Girls” ranged from their late-50s to mid-80s, many former mail-order brides from Soviet bloc countries that no longer exist. It was mentioned that if math serves, Greta herself must have been nearly seventy years old when Maestro Zoltan Vegh was forced to step down under a cloud of improprieties.”
What kind of reactions to the book have you received?
Polite.
In New York, somebody at the Amsterdam News wrote, “the equally sad and hilarious tales bring the musicians and those who support them way down to earth – almost beneath it, actually.” The website Literary Titan says, “Walker brings this chaotic world to life through an eclectic mix of journals, interviews, newspaper clippings and internet sources, crafting a fictional history that’s as entertaining as it is outrageous.”
Somebody on Amazon said, “I dare you to read it!”
Sheesh.
Would you like to write more fiction in the future?
Hah! A time-intensive proposition. I’m really grateful for the unique teaching/creative work balance possible at the College of Arts and Media. But sooner or later, I got to get back to class. Anybody seen where my students went?