Ned Rorem, 1923-2022

Composer Ned Rorem passed away this week. I enjoy his music as well as his diaries, particularly "Nantucket Diary" and the diary "Lies." Sadly, he assumed that his partner, organist James Holmes, could care for him in later years. (Holmes was several years younger). But Holmes died of cancer related to AIDS in 1999. "Lies" is a sadly vivid chronicle of a love one's decline and death. Norem was famous for his many song settings as well as works in nearly every type of classical music. In his diaries he was wonderfully transparent and even put-upon. The early ones are landmarks of gay literature. It would be an interesting life to share a cab ride with John Updike and to send grumpy notes to neighbor Itzhak Perlman because his AC unit is too loud.

Here is a recent Gramophone article. 

https://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical%20music%20news/article/the-american-composer-ned-rorem-has-died?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR39WCNH4r2EaJS6qrkr6UkdE6sZNWPZRvgkLjpyDUhVzVMFHThyoX2wgXY#Echobox=1668798386