Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

Jan. 12, 1940 (Friday) –; A lowering day – snow melting, but snow-flurries from the west at times. ; Sketch in studio of the scene looking out across Bengert’s back-lot, and Smiths open lot on Orchard Ave.; ; ; ; Jan 13, (Sat.); Evening-concert. The last number was “Petrouchca.” The intermission commentator, gave a short talk on Stravinsky in which he said that in his later career Stravinsky has turned his back completely on “expressionism” in music averring that expressionism had no place in art. Perhaps it is over my head, but to me it seems more like a confession of sterility. Perhaps “Petrouchka” is not profound music, but it is as profound as a man of 29 need be; and it is such gay, original music, that it seems to me a whole life-work could have been based on it – What indeed did happen to Stravinsky? Was it the Russian Revolution and the attendant collapse of the composer’s world?; ; ; ; ; Jan. 14, (Sunday).; Thawing, and a violent warm wind out of the south-east. It was difficult, driving to church, to keep on an even keel. After dinner I went out to clear some of the soggy ice out of the drive. The wind so strong at times