About

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A Complete Absence of:

Wit & Wisdom

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A hugely entertaining collection of articles, lyrics and talks from New Zealand composer and author Philip Norman.

Read an Excerpt

"Whilst rocketing towards decrepitude (one of his chapter titles), Philip reveals an energetic and productive life as a composer, lyricist, writer and conductor. Philip amusingly and convincingly argues that geographical location does not compromise the nature or worth of an artist's expression, a recurring theme in his writings, backed by a substantial body of work documenting and championing the work and lives of many New Zealand composers, including his award-winning biography of Douglas Lilburn.

​He is never afraid to question the validity of opinions held dear by many in our artistic community.

Other topics include the challenges of a freelance existence, music critics, arts councils, ailing cars, Die Meistersinger in das Wellington Geflügelhaus, blowflies at an Australian barbecue, knightly dalliances in the Dark Ages, gardening as a perennial bondage, and music as a booster of milk production in cows. The reader will be simultaneously informed and charmed.

​To describe the book as having 'a complete absence' of wit and wisdom is an offence under the Fair Trading Act: it is full of both."

— Sir Roger Hall, playwright —

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