Writer/lyricist David Hajdu has tried to capture the kaleidoscopic tale of one seemingly normal
but incredibly intriguing building in the City’s East Village neighborhood on the new
recording, The Parsonage.
There are millions of tales to be told of life in New York City. In every neighborhood,
there are buildings that have witnessed generations of individuals, families,
businesses, and organizations utilizing their communal spaces. The inconspicuous
townhouse that sits at 64 East Seventh Street in the East Village conceals a
hidden history that truly shows the changes of its famous neighborhood over the
building’s 150 years of existence.
Writer/lyricist David Hajdu discovered the legacy of 64 East Seventh when the
East Village was applying for the status as a historical district in New York City.
(The East Village/Lower East Side Historic District was created by The New York City
Landmarks Preservation Commission in October 2012.) Spellbound by the stories
of the former occupants that he uncovered, Hajdu composed lyrics to a song cycle
about the building, which he then entrusted to the capable hands of select composers
and performers to bring to life as The Parsonage.
Hajdu has known the Village since his youth when he attended New York University.
His focus on writing and his attraction to literature led him to the famed
Book ‘N Things store in the East Village, which happened to be housed in the building
in question. Later, Hajdu found success as a highly regarded writer of books and
is the music critic for The Nation and a Professor at Columbia University’s Graduate
School of Journalism. He also began a songwriting partnership with the acclaimed
pianist/composer, Renee Rosnes.
It was then that Hajdu decided to write a seven-piece song cycle using stories with
connection to the Parsonage. He began by writing lyrics to temporary music. He
then approached a dream list of composers to see if they would be interested in
fleshing out music to his words. Remarkably, Hajdu was able to secure the collaboration
of every composer he approached.