short sentences

Written in 1932, Short Sentences consists of over 45o names, each one followed by a short sentence. Some names refer to historical persons in Stein’s world, others are clearly invented. Should they be spoken in performance? In Francesco Gagliardi’s film version of the play, the names appear in the final credits. In our recording, we found many different ways to integrate the names with the sentences via a choir and twelve singers. The remarkable presence of the name “May,” a reference (as in other of her texts of this time) to Stein’s previous liaison with May Bookstaver, inspired our interpretation of the play as it addresses a writer’s engagement both with an audience and several different muses (authentic, seductive) whose trustworthiness is in question.

Click “listen” to hear the first track of Sam Shalabi’s setting for this play. Or you can listen to the whole piece (63 minutes) here.