Books That Inspire 2006
 
Ulysses
James Joyce


My first encounter with James Joyce's Ulysses left me baffled. But, it drew me into a magical world through its byzantine virtuosity. Upon re-reading Ulysses, I gained invaluable insight into the artistic process. Along the way, I was introduced also to the writings of Anthony Burgess, Stuart Gilbert and ultimately to a brilliant work of electronic music, “Thema: Omaggio a Joyce,” by Luciano Berio. Joyce's inspirations remain with me as "lessons." Content is form. Sounds have sonorous meanings apart from their literal intelligibility. Ulysses invites me “to experience the ineluctable modality of the audible.” It remains an inspiring, inspired invitation.
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Marvin Lamb

School of Music