I studied with Ned Rorem at Curtis. To this day, I still consider his concise advice, which seemed as appropriate to my music then, as it does now: Less is more, except when more is more. Our last lesson was the best composition lesson I ever had with anyone.  

"Three Minutes With Ned" was composed on the occasion of Ned Rorem's 90th bithday. The texts are excerpts taken from his "New York Diary" and "Paris Diary." Many thanks to David Ludwig and Jonathan Holland for including me in this celebration. 
--
Verse I - Finally
Finally heard Liberace. Extraordinary, his fingerwork! He plays all the right notes wrong.
(from New York Diary, Spring, 1956)

Verse II - But I've heard...
But I've heard nightingales sing and it's not so beautiful as all that.
(from Paris Diary, Marrakech, Morocco, January-February, 1952)

Verse III - The Paris weather
The Paris weather, pale as death, continues as in January though July is nearly here. 
Everyone talks of the Rosenbergs. Hot and cloudy. Yes, the Rosenbergs were electrocuted.
(from Paris Diary, 1953)

K. Rohde - Three Minutes with Ned for tenor and piano (2013)

This an easy way to get quick access to recent (& not-so-recent) works of mine. Contact me with any queries. REQUEST: Should you wish to play my work, I ask you include it on a program that reflect the values of belonging, and make an honest effort to be fully inclusive. Thank you.

(pronounced Road-HEE or Rhoad-DAH)

K. Rohde - Three Minutes with Ned for tenor and piano (2013)

Kurt Rohde