François Devienne (1759-1803)
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Caroline Miolan‑Carvalho (1827-1895)
James Huneker (1857–1921)
Ernest John Moeran (1894-1950)
Silvestre Revueltas (1899-1940)
Nathan Milstein (1904-1992)
Benjamin Frankel (1906-1973)
Alan Lomax (1915-2002)
Jaap Schröder (1925-2020)
Odetta (1930-2008)
Philip Glass (1937)
Stephen Cleobury (1948)
Donna Summer (1948-2012)
George Benjamin (1960)
Jennifer Higdon (1962)
and
Henri Matisse (1869-1954)
Zane Grey (1872-1939)
John O'Hara (1905-1970)
Thomas Merton (1915-1968)
Monday, January 31, 2022
Sunday, January 30, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Johann Joachim Quantz (1697-1773)
Charles Martin Loeffler (1861-1935)
Walter Damrosch (1862-1950)
Mitch Leigh (1928-2014)
Lynn Harrell (1944)
Silvia Marcovici (1952)
Gerald Finley (1960)
and
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945)
Barbara Tuchman (1912-1989)
Shirley Hazzard (1931-2016)
Richard Brautigan (1935-1984)
Charles Martin Loeffler (1861-1935)
Walter Damrosch (1862-1950)
Mitch Leigh (1928-2014)
Lynn Harrell (1944)
Silvia Marcovici (1952)
Gerald Finley (1960)
and
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945)
Barbara Tuchman (1912-1989)
Shirley Hazzard (1931-2016)
Richard Brautigan (1935-1984)
Saturday, January 29, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Georg Christoph Wagenseil (1715-1777)
Daniel-François-Esprit Auber (1782-1871)
Frederic Hymen Cowen (1852-1935)
Frederick Delius (1862-1934)
Havergal Brian (1876-1972)
Blanche Selva (1884-1942)
Luigi Nono (1924-1990)
Myer Fredman (1932-2014)
Malcolm Binns (1936)
Cho-Liang Lin (1960)
and
W. C. Fields (1880-1946)
Thomas Paine (1737-1809)
Anton Chekhov (1860-1904)
Edward Abbey (1927-1989)
and from the Composers Datebook:
On this day in 1826 was the premiere of Schubert's String Quartet in D minor, "Death and the Maiden," as a unrehearsed reading at the Vienna home of Karl and Franz Hacker, two amateur musicians. Schubert, who usually played viola on such occasions, could not perform since he was busy copying out the parts and making last-minute corrections.
and from The Writer's Almanac:
It was on this day in 1845 that Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “The Raven” was published in the New York Evening Mirror. It was a huge sensation: Abraham Lincoln memorized it and Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote a fan letter to Poe. He was paid $9 for “The Raven,” and it was extensively reprinted without his permission, but there was nothing he could do about it. He had written an unsigned article for the Mirror before about copyright law saying, “Without an international copyright law, American authors may as well cut their throats,” but there was no such law until 1891. His income in 1844 was $424; in 1845, he made $549.
Daniel-François-Esprit Auber (1782-1871)
Frederic Hymen Cowen (1852-1935)
Frederick Delius (1862-1934)
Havergal Brian (1876-1972)
Blanche Selva (1884-1942)
Luigi Nono (1924-1990)
Myer Fredman (1932-2014)
Malcolm Binns (1936)
Cho-Liang Lin (1960)
and
W. C. Fields (1880-1946)
Thomas Paine (1737-1809)
Anton Chekhov (1860-1904)
Edward Abbey (1927-1989)
and from the Composers Datebook:
On this day in 1826 was the premiere of Schubert's String Quartet in D minor, "Death and the Maiden," as a unrehearsed reading at the Vienna home of Karl and Franz Hacker, two amateur musicians. Schubert, who usually played viola on such occasions, could not perform since he was busy copying out the parts and making last-minute corrections.
and from The Writer's Almanac:
It was on this day in 1845 that Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “The Raven” was published in the New York Evening Mirror. It was a huge sensation: Abraham Lincoln memorized it and Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote a fan letter to Poe. He was paid $9 for “The Raven,” and it was extensively reprinted without his permission, but there was nothing he could do about it. He had written an unsigned article for the Mirror before about copyright law saying, “Without an international copyright law, American authors may as well cut their throats,” but there was no such law until 1891. His income in 1844 was $424; in 1845, he made $549.
Friday, January 28, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Antonio Bartolomeo Bruni (1757-1821)
Ferdinand Herold (1791-1833)
Alexander Mackenzie (1822-1892)
Arthur Rubinstein (1887-1982)
Vittorio Rieti (1898-1994)
Michael Head (1900-1976)
Ronnie Scott (1927-1996)
Acker Bilk (1929-2014)
Sir John Tavener (1944-2013)
Richard Danielpour (1956)
and
Colette (1873-1954)
Jackson Pollock (1912-1956)
Claes Oldenburg (1929)
David Lodge (1935)
Ferdinand Herold (1791-1833)
Alexander Mackenzie (1822-1892)
Arthur Rubinstein (1887-1982)
Vittorio Rieti (1898-1994)
Michael Head (1900-1976)
Ronnie Scott (1927-1996)
Acker Bilk (1929-2014)
Sir John Tavener (1944-2013)
Richard Danielpour (1956)
and
Colette (1873-1954)
Jackson Pollock (1912-1956)
Claes Oldenburg (1929)
David Lodge (1935)
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Juan Crisostomo Arriage (1806-1826)
Edouard Lalo (1823-1892)
Jerome Kern (1885-1945)
Jack Brymer (1915-2003)
Skitch Henderson (1918-2005)
Helmut Zacharias (1920-2002)
Fritz Spiegl (1926-2003)
John Ogdon (1937-1989)
Jean-Philippe Collard (1948)
Emanuel Pahud (1970)
James Ehnes (1976)
and
Lewis Carroll (1832-1898)
Dmitry Mandeleyev (1834-1907)
Mikhail Baryshnikov (1948)
Juan Crisostomo Arriage (1806-1826)
Edouard Lalo (1823-1892)
Jerome Kern (1885-1945)
Jack Brymer (1915-2003)
Skitch Henderson (1918-2005)
Helmut Zacharias (1920-2002)
Fritz Spiegl (1926-2003)
John Ogdon (1937-1989)
Jean-Philippe Collard (1948)
Emanuel Pahud (1970)
James Ehnes (1976)
and
Lewis Carroll (1832-1898)
Dmitry Mandeleyev (1834-1907)
Mikhail Baryshnikov (1948)
Wednesday, January 26, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach (1732-1795)
Maria Augusta von Trapp (1905-1987)
Stéphane Grappelli (1908-1997)
Jimmy Van Heusen (1913-1990)
Warren Benson (1924-2005)
Jacqueline du Pré (1945-1987)
Frédéric Lodéon (1952)
Mikel Rouse (1957)
Gustavo Dudamel (1981)
and
Mary Mapes Dodge (1831-1905)
Seán MacBride (1904-1988)
Jules Feiffer (1929)
Christopher Hampton (1946)
Ellen DeGeneres (1958)
and from the Composers Datebook:
On this day in 1790, Mozart's opera, "Così fan tutte," was premiered in Vienna at the Burgtheater.
Maria Augusta von Trapp (1905-1987)
Stéphane Grappelli (1908-1997)
Jimmy Van Heusen (1913-1990)
Warren Benson (1924-2005)
Jacqueline du Pré (1945-1987)
Frédéric Lodéon (1952)
Mikel Rouse (1957)
Gustavo Dudamel (1981)
and
Mary Mapes Dodge (1831-1905)
Seán MacBride (1904-1988)
Jules Feiffer (1929)
Christopher Hampton (1946)
Ellen DeGeneres (1958)
and from the Composers Datebook:
On this day in 1790, Mozart's opera, "Così fan tutte," was premiered in Vienna at the Burgtheater.
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Review of Oregon Symphony concert in Oregon Arts Watch
Today's Birthdays
Jan Blockx (1851-1912)
Wilhelm Furtwängler (1886-1954)
Julia Smith (1905-1989)
Witold Lutoslawski (1913-1994)
Alfred Reed (1921-2005)
Etta James (1938-2012)
Russell Peck (1945-2009)
and
Robert Burns (1759-1796)
W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965)
Virginia Woolf (1882-1941)
Wilhelm Furtwängler (1886-1954)
Julia Smith (1905-1989)
Witold Lutoslawski (1913-1994)
Alfred Reed (1921-2005)
Etta James (1938-2012)
Russell Peck (1945-2009)
and
Robert Burns (1759-1796)
W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965)
Virginia Woolf (1882-1941)
Monday, January 24, 2022
Young gold medalists shine brilliantly with the Vancouver Symphony
For its 27th annual Young Artists Competition, the Vancouver Symphony has expanded its horizons, making its quest for the best musicians a national one. The rewards for the winners are much higher than ever with $1,000 going to the bronze medalists, $3,000 to the silver medalists, and $5,000 to the gold medalists plus the opportunity to solo with the orchestra under the direction of Salvador Brotons.
So, the top prizewinners from the contest played their auditioned pieces with the hometown band on Saturday, January 22nd at Skyview Concert Hall. It was a veritable feast for the ears to hear flutist Nikka Gershman-Pepper, violinist Ezekiel Sokoloff, and pianist David Choi perform challenging works. Their polished interpretations were not dampened by the sparse attendance in the hall due to the still raging pandemic. In fact, the soloists – all teenagers – showed a high-degree of artistry that belied their years. Hopefully, their amazing performances were heard by a much larger crowd in the livestream broadcast.
The concert began with an outstanding rendition by Gershman-Pepper of the first movement of Saverio Mercadante’s Concerto No. 2 in E minor for Flute and String Orchestra. Swaying slightly as she played, the 14-year-old flutist gracefully expressed the piece with a beautiful, assured tone. She showed excellent breath-control by presenting a line strongly the first time and softly the second. Especially impressive was her cadenza where she flawlessly interspersed low notes in the midst of a series of higher ones and built the dynamics into an exciting forte. After finishing the piece with a thrilling final forte, she was rewarded with enthusiastic applause.
Next on the program came Prokofiev’s Concerto No. 2 in G minor for Violin and Orchestra, which was superbly played by Sokoloff (age 16). After creating the dusky yet lyric opening statement, he deftly dug into the fast and almost wild lines that followed lickety-split. The barrage rapid tonal changes against the orchestra had a mercurial quality that sparkled. Sokoloff delivered the second lyrical passage incisively before impeccably launching into another rocketing, sometimes dissonant, and technically devilish section – making it all look as easy as pie – and finished the piece with defiant pizzicatos. Awesome!
Choi closed out the first half of the concert with an exceptional performance of Liszt’s Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major for Piano and Orchestra. Choi, who is only 14 years old, brilliantly conveyed the virtuosic fireworks of this piece with fantastic control of the dynamics and an unbelievable ability to organically slow the pace and accelerate thrillingly. He executed the splashiest and flashiest of passages with ease yet never called attention to himself. He excelled with the rhapsodic themes and expertly wove the sound with the orchestra. With the orchestra rising to the occasion, Choi brought the finale of this piece to a triumphant crescendo that resonated into cheers from the audience.
After intermission, the orchestra delved into Elgar’s “Variations on an Original Theme” aka “Enigma Variations.” Urged on by Broton’s emotive conducting (all from memory), the orchestra had its most success with heart-felt theme of the famous Nimrod variation (9), the rollicking Troyte variation (7), and the last variation (14) with its majestic swells and accelerando to the finale. The violins were a bit ragged in the H.D.S.-P. variation (2), but the ensemble recovered in the next variation (3), in which the bassoons elicited humorous, wiggly, upward phrases. Solos by violist Angelika Furtwangler, cellist Dieter Ratzlaf, and clarinetist Igor Shakhman were highlights of the later variations. Some of the variations needed to be tauter in order to create more contrast, for example, between variations that are playful and delicate and others that are boisterous. Still, with Brotons coaxing, the ensemble transported listeners to Elgar’s unique musical concoction – with a glimpse into his family and circle of friends. Cheers!
So, the top prizewinners from the contest played their auditioned pieces with the hometown band on Saturday, January 22nd at Skyview Concert Hall. It was a veritable feast for the ears to hear flutist Nikka Gershman-Pepper, violinist Ezekiel Sokoloff, and pianist David Choi perform challenging works. Their polished interpretations were not dampened by the sparse attendance in the hall due to the still raging pandemic. In fact, the soloists – all teenagers – showed a high-degree of artistry that belied their years. Hopefully, their amazing performances were heard by a much larger crowd in the livestream broadcast.
The concert began with an outstanding rendition by Gershman-Pepper of the first movement of Saverio Mercadante’s Concerto No. 2 in E minor for Flute and String Orchestra. Swaying slightly as she played, the 14-year-old flutist gracefully expressed the piece with a beautiful, assured tone. She showed excellent breath-control by presenting a line strongly the first time and softly the second. Especially impressive was her cadenza where she flawlessly interspersed low notes in the midst of a series of higher ones and built the dynamics into an exciting forte. After finishing the piece with a thrilling final forte, she was rewarded with enthusiastic applause.
Next on the program came Prokofiev’s Concerto No. 2 in G minor for Violin and Orchestra, which was superbly played by Sokoloff (age 16). After creating the dusky yet lyric opening statement, he deftly dug into the fast and almost wild lines that followed lickety-split. The barrage rapid tonal changes against the orchestra had a mercurial quality that sparkled. Sokoloff delivered the second lyrical passage incisively before impeccably launching into another rocketing, sometimes dissonant, and technically devilish section – making it all look as easy as pie – and finished the piece with defiant pizzicatos. Awesome!
Choi closed out the first half of the concert with an exceptional performance of Liszt’s Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major for Piano and Orchestra. Choi, who is only 14 years old, brilliantly conveyed the virtuosic fireworks of this piece with fantastic control of the dynamics and an unbelievable ability to organically slow the pace and accelerate thrillingly. He executed the splashiest and flashiest of passages with ease yet never called attention to himself. He excelled with the rhapsodic themes and expertly wove the sound with the orchestra. With the orchestra rising to the occasion, Choi brought the finale of this piece to a triumphant crescendo that resonated into cheers from the audience.
After intermission, the orchestra delved into Elgar’s “Variations on an Original Theme” aka “Enigma Variations.” Urged on by Broton’s emotive conducting (all from memory), the orchestra had its most success with heart-felt theme of the famous Nimrod variation (9), the rollicking Troyte variation (7), and the last variation (14) with its majestic swells and accelerando to the finale. The violins were a bit ragged in the H.D.S.-P. variation (2), but the ensemble recovered in the next variation (3), in which the bassoons elicited humorous, wiggly, upward phrases. Solos by violist Angelika Furtwangler, cellist Dieter Ratzlaf, and clarinetist Igor Shakhman were highlights of the later variations. Some of the variations needed to be tauter in order to create more contrast, for example, between variations that are playful and delicate and others that are boisterous. Still, with Brotons coaxing, the ensemble transported listeners to Elgar’s unique musical concoction – with a glimpse into his family and circle of friends. Cheers!
Today's Birthdays
Farinelli (Carlo Maria Broschi) (1705-1782)
Frederick II the Great (1712-1786)
Muzio Clementi (1752-1832)
E. T. A. Hoffmann (1776-1822)
Evelyn Barbirolli (1911-2008)
Norman Dello Joio (1913-2008)
Gottfried von Einem (1918-1996)
Leon Kirchner (1919-2009)
Neil Diamond (1941)
Yuri Bashmet (1953)
Warren Zevon (1947-2003)
and
William Congreve (1670-1729)
Edith Wharton (1862-1937)
Desmond Morris (1928)
Frederick II the Great (1712-1786)
Muzio Clementi (1752-1832)
E. T. A. Hoffmann (1776-1822)
Evelyn Barbirolli (1911-2008)
Norman Dello Joio (1913-2008)
Gottfried von Einem (1918-1996)
Leon Kirchner (1919-2009)
Neil Diamond (1941)
Yuri Bashmet (1953)
Warren Zevon (1947-2003)
and
William Congreve (1670-1729)
Edith Wharton (1862-1937)
Desmond Morris (1928)
Sunday, January 23, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Muzio Clementi (1752-1832)
Rutland Boughton (1878-1960)
Django Reinhardt (1910-1953)
Milton Adolphus (1913-1988)
Eli Goren (1923-2000)
Cécile Ousset (1936)
Teresa Zylis-Gara (1936)
John Luther Adams (1953)
Mason Bates (1977)
and
Stendhal (1783-1842)
Edouard Manet (1832-1883)
Derek Walcott (1930-2017)
And from the Composers Datebook:
On this day in 1894, Czech composer Antonin Dvorák presents a concert of African-American choral music at Madison Square Concert Hall in New York, using an all-black choir, comprised chiefly of members of the St. Philip's Colored Choir. On the program was the premiere performance of Dvorák's own arrangement of Stephen Foster's "Old Folks at Home," which featured vocal soloists Sissierette Jones and Harry T. Burleigh.
Rutland Boughton (1878-1960)
Django Reinhardt (1910-1953)
Milton Adolphus (1913-1988)
Eli Goren (1923-2000)
Cécile Ousset (1936)
Teresa Zylis-Gara (1936)
John Luther Adams (1953)
Mason Bates (1977)
and
Stendhal (1783-1842)
Edouard Manet (1832-1883)
Derek Walcott (1930-2017)
And from the Composers Datebook:
On this day in 1894, Czech composer Antonin Dvorák presents a concert of African-American choral music at Madison Square Concert Hall in New York, using an all-black choir, comprised chiefly of members of the St. Philip's Colored Choir. On the program was the premiere performance of Dvorák's own arrangement of Stephen Foster's "Old Folks at Home," which featured vocal soloists Sissierette Jones and Harry T. Burleigh.
Saturday, January 22, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Claude-Bénigne Balbastre (1727-1799)
Charles Tournemire (1870-1939)
Hans Erich Apostel (1901-1972)
Robin Milford (1903-1959)
Rosa Ponselle (1897-1981)
Henri Dutilleux (1916-2013)
William Warfield (1920-2002)
Leslie Bassett (1923-2016)
James Louis ("J.J.") Johnson (1924-2001)
Aurèle Nicolet (1926-2016)
Uto Ughi (1944)
Myung-whun Chung (1953)
and
Francis Bacon (1561-1626)
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (1729-1781)
Lord Byron (1788-1824)
August Strindberg (1849-1912)
Sergei Eisenstein (1898-1948)
Howard Moss (1922-1987)
Joseph Wambaugh (1937)
and from the Composers Datebook:
On this day, in 1907, the Metropolitan Opera production of Richard Strauss' opera "Salome," with soprano Olive Fremstad in the title role, creates a scandal. The opera is dropped after a single performance, and not staged at the Met again until the 1930s.
Charles Tournemire (1870-1939)
Hans Erich Apostel (1901-1972)
Robin Milford (1903-1959)
Rosa Ponselle (1897-1981)
Henri Dutilleux (1916-2013)
William Warfield (1920-2002)
Leslie Bassett (1923-2016)
James Louis ("J.J.") Johnson (1924-2001)
Aurèle Nicolet (1926-2016)
Uto Ughi (1944)
Myung-whun Chung (1953)
and
Francis Bacon (1561-1626)
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (1729-1781)
Lord Byron (1788-1824)
August Strindberg (1849-1912)
Sergei Eisenstein (1898-1948)
Howard Moss (1922-1987)
Joseph Wambaugh (1937)
and from the Composers Datebook:
On this day, in 1907, the Metropolitan Opera production of Richard Strauss' opera "Salome," with soprano Olive Fremstad in the title role, creates a scandal. The opera is dropped after a single performance, and not staged at the Met again until the 1930s.
Friday, January 21, 2022
Article on Portland's new music scene in Classical Voice North America
Over the years I've covered a slice of the new music scene in Portland, and I've noticed that it has grown quite a bit since the late '90s. So, I put together an article that surveys the current situation - with some fine editorial feedback from Bob Priest - and it appears in today's edition of Classical Voice North America here.
Preview of VSO concert with young artist winners in The Columbian
Today's Birthdays
Henri Duparc (1848-1933)
Alexander Tcherepnin (1899-1977)
Webster Booth (1902-1984)
Placido Domingo (1941)
Richie Havens (1941-2013)
Edwin Starr (1942-2003)
Suzanne Mentzer (1957)
Frank Ticheli (1958)
and
Louis Menand (1952)
Alexander Tcherepnin (1899-1977)
Webster Booth (1902-1984)
Placido Domingo (1941)
Richie Havens (1941-2013)
Edwin Starr (1942-2003)
Suzanne Mentzer (1957)
Frank Ticheli (1958)
and
Louis Menand (1952)
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Johann Hermann Schein (1586-1630)
Ernest Chausson (1855-1899)
Julius Conus (1869-1942)
Józef Hofmann (1876-1957)
Huddie William Ledbetter (Lead Belly) (1889-1949)
Walter Piston (1894-1976)
Eva Jessye (1895-1992)
Yvonne Loriod (1924-2010)
David Tudor (1926-1996)
Antonio de Almeida (1928-1997)
Iván Fischer (1951
and
George Burns (1896-1996)
Alexandra Danilova (1903-1997)
Federico Fellini (1920-1993)
Edward Hirsch (1950)
Tami Hoag (1959)
Ernest Chausson (1855-1899)
Julius Conus (1869-1942)
Józef Hofmann (1876-1957)
Huddie William Ledbetter (Lead Belly) (1889-1949)
Walter Piston (1894-1976)
Eva Jessye (1895-1992)
Yvonne Loriod (1924-2010)
David Tudor (1926-1996)
Antonio de Almeida (1928-1997)
Iván Fischer (1951
and
George Burns (1896-1996)
Alexandra Danilova (1903-1997)
Federico Fellini (1920-1993)
Edward Hirsch (1950)
Tami Hoag (1959)
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Louis‑Nicolas Clérambault (1676-1749)
George Frederick Bristow (1825-1898)
Fritz Reiner (1885-1963)
Paul Dessau (1894-1979)
Edith Piaf (1915-1963)
Dalton Baldwin (1931-2019)
Phil Ochs (1940-1976)
William Christie (1944)
Marianne Faithfull (1946)
Olaf Bär (1957)
Steven Esserlis (1958)
Rebecca Saunders (1967)
and
Italo Svevo (1861-1928)
Constance Garnett (1861-1946)
George Frederick Bristow (1825-1898)
Fritz Reiner (1885-1963)
Paul Dessau (1894-1979)
Edith Piaf (1915-1963)
Dalton Baldwin (1931-2019)
Phil Ochs (1940-1976)
William Christie (1944)
Marianne Faithfull (1946)
Olaf Bär (1957)
Steven Esserlis (1958)
Rebecca Saunders (1967)
and
Italo Svevo (1861-1928)
Constance Garnett (1861-1946)
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
Today's Birthdays
César Cui (1835-1918)
Emmanuel Chabrier (1841-1894)
John Laurence Seymour (1893-1986)
Berthold Goldschmidt (1903-1996)
Anthony Galla-Rini (1904-2006)
John O'Conor (1947)
Anthony Pople (1955-2003)
Christoph Prégardien (1956)
and
Peter Mark Roget (1779-1869)
Rubén Darío (1867-1916)
A. A. Milne (1882-1956)
Oliver Hardy (1892-1957)
FYI: Roget's "Thesaurus" has never been out of print since it was first published in 1852.
and from the Composers Datebook:
On this day in 1958, "What Does Music Mean?", broadcast, the first of a series of televised New York Philharmonic "Young People's Concerts" on CBS-TV hosted by Leonard Bernstein. The series continued until 1972, with 53 different programs hosted by Bernstein
Emmanuel Chabrier (1841-1894)
John Laurence Seymour (1893-1986)
Berthold Goldschmidt (1903-1996)
Anthony Galla-Rini (1904-2006)
John O'Conor (1947)
Anthony Pople (1955-2003)
Christoph Prégardien (1956)
and
Peter Mark Roget (1779-1869)
Rubén Darío (1867-1916)
A. A. Milne (1882-1956)
Oliver Hardy (1892-1957)
FYI: Roget's "Thesaurus" has never been out of print since it was first published in 1852.
and from the Composers Datebook:
On this day in 1958, "What Does Music Mean?", broadcast, the first of a series of televised New York Philharmonic "Young People's Concerts" on CBS-TV hosted by Leonard Bernstein. The series continued until 1972, with 53 different programs hosted by Bernstein
Monday, January 17, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
John Stanley (1712-1786)
Johann Gottfried Müthel (1728-1788)
François‑Joseph Gossec (1734-1829)
Henk Badings (1907-1987)
Oscar Morawetz (1917-2007)
Annie Delorie (1925-2009)
Donald Erb (1927-2008)
Jean Barraqué (1928-1973)
Sydney Hodkinson (1934)
Dame Gillian Weir (1941)
Anne Queffélec (1948)
Augustin Dumay (1949)
Nancy Argenta (1957)
Gérard Pesson (1958)
and
Anne Brontë (1820-1849)
William Stafford (1914-1993)
Luis López Nieves (1950)
Sebastian Junger (1962)
John Stanley (1712-1786)
Johann Gottfried Müthel (1728-1788)
François‑Joseph Gossec (1734-1829)
Henk Badings (1907-1987)
Oscar Morawetz (1917-2007)
Annie Delorie (1925-2009)
Donald Erb (1927-2008)
Jean Barraqué (1928-1973)
Sydney Hodkinson (1934)
Dame Gillian Weir (1941)
Anne Queffélec (1948)
Augustin Dumay (1949)
Nancy Argenta (1957)
Gérard Pesson (1958)
and
Anne Brontë (1820-1849)
William Stafford (1914-1993)
Luis López Nieves (1950)
Sebastian Junger (1962)
Sunday, January 16, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Niccoló Piccinni (1728-1800)
Henri Büsser (1872-1973)
Daisy Kennedy (1893-1981)
Ernesto Halffter (1905-1989)
Roger Wagner (1914-1992)
Ernesto Bonino (1922-2008)
Pilar Lorengar (1928-1996)
Marilyn Horne (1934)
Richard Wernick (1934)
Gavin Bryars (1943)
Brian Ferneyhough (1943)
Katia Ricciarelli (1946)
and
Robert Service (1874-1958)
Anthony Hecht (1923-2004)
William Kennedy (1928)
Susan Sontag (1933-2004)
Mary Karr (1955)
Lin-Manuel Miranda (1980)
Henri Büsser (1872-1973)
Daisy Kennedy (1893-1981)
Ernesto Halffter (1905-1989)
Roger Wagner (1914-1992)
Ernesto Bonino (1922-2008)
Pilar Lorengar (1928-1996)
Marilyn Horne (1934)
Richard Wernick (1934)
Gavin Bryars (1943)
Brian Ferneyhough (1943)
Katia Ricciarelli (1946)
and
Robert Service (1874-1958)
Anthony Hecht (1923-2004)
William Kennedy (1928)
Susan Sontag (1933-2004)
Mary Karr (1955)
Lin-Manuel Miranda (1980)
Saturday, January 15, 2022
Lamsma stuns with Shostakovich and Märkl shows Tai-chi-like moves in Debussy
Dutch virtuoso Somone Lamsma delivered a mesmerizing performance of Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto on Saturday (Jan 8) with the Oregon Symphony and conduct Jun Märkl at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. The dusky, moody, yet warm lines that she played in the opening movement were hauntingly etched against the somber accompaniment of the orchestra. From my perch in the balcony, it seemed that Lamsma’s playing hypnotized the audience. There wasn’t a peep or a cell phone beep or anything to disrupt the trance-like state that she had induced. In the midst of this, she coaxed her instrument into delivering the most tender sentences, accented at one point by the celeste and later assuaged by the rumbling bass clarinet. And at the end of the movement, the sound from Lamsma’s violin climbs to the heavens. It was magical.
She then created an agitated, almost angry tone in the second movement, which stirred up the orchestra to join her in the mayhem. Together they broke into an energetic, fast dance, closing on a high note that caused listeners to break into applause.
The third movement featured Lamsma playing high above the fray of a subtle passacaglia of the orchestra. The orchestra gets about as soft as I have ever heard at the Schnitz with pizzicatos and Lamsma finishing with a delicate thread, leading again to a high note.
In the fourth movement, Lamsma took everyone’s breath away with an awesome performance of the fiendishly difficult solo cadenza. It was so wild and crazy that it made me wonder how anyone can possibly play it – and how did Shostakovich concoct it in the first place! After the orchestra joined her, they skipped along with an optimistic, more lighthearted spirit to the finale. Enthusiastic acclamation erupted from the audience, bringing Lamsma back to center stage at least three times.
Before performing Debussy’s “Images,” Märkl and the orchestra introduced it with a demonstration of some of the impressionistic passages. This demo maybe went on just a little too long, but it effectively showed how Debussy used various colors from the orchestra to paint feelings and images that travelled from England to France and ended up in Spain.
Conducting from memory, Märkl wonderfully guided the ensemble with gestures that reminded me of graceful Tai chi movements. He and the musicians took listeners into the mist of Britain – with kudos to Karen Wagner oboe and Jason Sudduth oboe d’amore. The French movement evoked images of the seashore with changing breezes. Iberia was filled with mystery and enchantment that included a terrific solos by principal horn Jeff Garza and concertmaster Sara Kwak.
The concert began with Missy Mazzoli’s “These Worlds in Us.” In the program notes, Mazzoli stated that the piece was inspired by her father, who served in the Vietnam War. It started with a somber invitation from the marimba and melodicas (mouth keyboard instruments that you blow into). Slow glissandos upward and downward from the strings suggested an introspective sadness, but it was briefly lifted before shifting back to a lamenting emotion and finally a return to the marimba and melodica. The music fit the thoughtful atmosphere of the other works, and all was masterfully led by Märkl.
She then created an agitated, almost angry tone in the second movement, which stirred up the orchestra to join her in the mayhem. Together they broke into an energetic, fast dance, closing on a high note that caused listeners to break into applause.
The third movement featured Lamsma playing high above the fray of a subtle passacaglia of the orchestra. The orchestra gets about as soft as I have ever heard at the Schnitz with pizzicatos and Lamsma finishing with a delicate thread, leading again to a high note.
In the fourth movement, Lamsma took everyone’s breath away with an awesome performance of the fiendishly difficult solo cadenza. It was so wild and crazy that it made me wonder how anyone can possibly play it – and how did Shostakovich concoct it in the first place! After the orchestra joined her, they skipped along with an optimistic, more lighthearted spirit to the finale. Enthusiastic acclamation erupted from the audience, bringing Lamsma back to center stage at least three times.
Before performing Debussy’s “Images,” Märkl and the orchestra introduced it with a demonstration of some of the impressionistic passages. This demo maybe went on just a little too long, but it effectively showed how Debussy used various colors from the orchestra to paint feelings and images that travelled from England to France and ended up in Spain.
Conducting from memory, Märkl wonderfully guided the ensemble with gestures that reminded me of graceful Tai chi movements. He and the musicians took listeners into the mist of Britain – with kudos to Karen Wagner oboe and Jason Sudduth oboe d’amore. The French movement evoked images of the seashore with changing breezes. Iberia was filled with mystery and enchantment that included a terrific solos by principal horn Jeff Garza and concertmaster Sara Kwak.
The concert began with Missy Mazzoli’s “These Worlds in Us.” In the program notes, Mazzoli stated that the piece was inspired by her father, who served in the Vietnam War. It started with a somber invitation from the marimba and melodicas (mouth keyboard instruments that you blow into). Slow glissandos upward and downward from the strings suggested an introspective sadness, but it was briefly lifted before shifting back to a lamenting emotion and finally a return to the marimba and melodica. The music fit the thoughtful atmosphere of the other works, and all was masterfully led by Märkl.
Today's Birthdays
Ivor Novello (1893-1951)
Elie Siegmeister (1909-1991)
Malcolm Frager (1935-1991)
Don "Captain Beefheart" Van Vliet (1941-2010)
Aaron Jay Kernis (1960)
and
Molière (1622-1673)
Franz Grillparzer (1791-1872)
Andreas William Heinesen (1900-1991)
Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)
and from the Composers Datebook:
On this day in 1941 Messiaen's "Quartet for the End of Time" was premiered at Stalag VIII-A, a German prisoner of war camp in Görlitz (Silesia), with the composer at the piano and fellow-prisoners Jean Le Boulaure (violin), Henri Akoka (clarinet), and Etienne Pasquier (cello).
Elie Siegmeister (1909-1991)
Malcolm Frager (1935-1991)
Don "Captain Beefheart" Van Vliet (1941-2010)
Aaron Jay Kernis (1960)
and
Molière (1622-1673)
Franz Grillparzer (1791-1872)
Andreas William Heinesen (1900-1991)
Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)
and from the Composers Datebook:
On this day in 1941 Messiaen's "Quartet for the End of Time" was premiered at Stalag VIII-A, a German prisoner of war camp in Görlitz (Silesia), with the composer at the piano and fellow-prisoners Jean Le Boulaure (violin), Henri Akoka (clarinet), and Etienne Pasquier (cello).
Friday, January 14, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Ludwig von Köchel (1800-1877)
Jean de Reszke (1850-1925)
Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965)
Louis Quilico (1925-2000)
Zuzana Ruzickova (1927-2017)
Siegmund Nimsgern (1940)
Mariss Jansons (1943)
Kees Bakels (1945)
Nicholas McGegan (1950)
Ben Heppner (1956)
Andrew Manze (1965)
and
John Dos Passos (1896-1970)
Emily Hahn (1905-1997)
Maureen Dowd (1952)
Jean de Reszke (1850-1925)
Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965)
Louis Quilico (1925-2000)
Zuzana Ruzickova (1927-2017)
Siegmund Nimsgern (1940)
Mariss Jansons (1943)
Kees Bakels (1945)
Nicholas McGegan (1950)
Ben Heppner (1956)
Andrew Manze (1965)
and
John Dos Passos (1896-1970)
Emily Hahn (1905-1997)
Maureen Dowd (1952)
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Christoph Graupner (1683-1760)
Gottfried Heinrich Stölzel (1690-1749)
Vassili Kalinnikov (1866-1901)
Richard Addinsell (1904-1977)
Daniil Shafran (1923-1997)
Renato Bruson (1936)
Paavo Heininen (1938)
William Duckworth (1943-2012)
Richard Blackford (1954)
Wayne Marshall (1961)
Juan Diego Flórez (1973)
and
Horatio Alger (1832-1899)
Lorrie Moore (1957)
Gottfried Heinrich Stölzel (1690-1749)
Vassili Kalinnikov (1866-1901)
Richard Addinsell (1904-1977)
Daniil Shafran (1923-1997)
Renato Bruson (1936)
Paavo Heininen (1938)
William Duckworth (1943-2012)
Richard Blackford (1954)
Wayne Marshall (1961)
Juan Diego Flórez (1973)
and
Horatio Alger (1832-1899)
Lorrie Moore (1957)
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Reinhard Keiser (1674-1739)
Jacques Duphly (1715-1789)
Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari (1876-1948)
Pierre Bernac (1899-1979)
William Pleeth (1916-1999)
Leo Smit (1921-1999)
Morton Feldman (1926-1987)
Salvatore Martirano (1927-1995)
Anne Howells (1941)
Viktoria Postnikova (1944)
Lori Laitman (1955)
and
Edmund Burke (1729-1797)
John Singer Sargent (1856-1925)
Jack London (1876-1916)
Haruki Murakami (1949)
Jacques Duphly (1715-1789)
Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari (1876-1948)
Pierre Bernac (1899-1979)
William Pleeth (1916-1999)
Leo Smit (1921-1999)
Morton Feldman (1926-1987)
Salvatore Martirano (1927-1995)
Anne Howells (1941)
Viktoria Postnikova (1944)
Lori Laitman (1955)
and
Edmund Burke (1729-1797)
John Singer Sargent (1856-1925)
Jack London (1876-1916)
Haruki Murakami (1949)
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
List of recommended concerts for wintertime in The Oregonian
Today's Birthdays
Christian Sinding (1856-1941)
Reihold Glière (1875-1956)
Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)
Mark DeVoto (1940)
York Höller (1944)
Drew Minter (1955)
Alex Shapiro (1962)
and
William James (1842-1910)
Aldo Leopold (1887-1948)
Alan Paton (1903-1988)
and from the Composers Datebook:
On this day in 1925, Copland's Symphony for Organ and Orchestra was premiered at Aeolian Hall in New York City by the New York Symphony conducted by Walter Damrosch, with Nadia Boulanger the soloist.
Reihold Glière (1875-1956)
Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)
Mark DeVoto (1940)
York Höller (1944)
Drew Minter (1955)
Alex Shapiro (1962)
and
William James (1842-1910)
Aldo Leopold (1887-1948)
Alan Paton (1903-1988)
and from the Composers Datebook:
On this day in 1925, Copland's Symphony for Organ and Orchestra was premiered at Aeolian Hall in New York City by the New York Symphony conducted by Walter Damrosch, with Nadia Boulanger the soloist.
Monday, January 10, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Jean Martinon (1910-1976)
Sidney Griller (1911-1993)
Dean Dixon (1915-1976)
Milton Babbitt (1916-2011)
Max Roach (1924-2007)
Sherrill Milnes (1935)
Rod Stewart (1945)
James Morris (1947)
Mischa Maisky (1948)
Rockwell Blake (1951)
Charles Norman Mason (1955)
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg (1961)
and
Robinson Jeffers (1887-1962)
Philip Levine (1928-2015)
Stephen E. Ambrose (1936-2002)
Sidney Griller (1911-1993)
Dean Dixon (1915-1976)
Milton Babbitt (1916-2011)
Max Roach (1924-2007)
Sherrill Milnes (1935)
Rod Stewart (1945)
James Morris (1947)
Mischa Maisky (1948)
Rockwell Blake (1951)
Charles Norman Mason (1955)
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg (1961)
and
Robinson Jeffers (1887-1962)
Philip Levine (1928-2015)
Stephen E. Ambrose (1936-2002)
Sunday, January 9, 2022
Today's Birthdays
John Knowles Paine (1839-1906)
Rudolf Bing (1902-1997)
Herva Nelli (1909-1994)
Henriette Puig‑Roget (1910-1992)
Pierre Pierlot (1921-2007)
Joan Baez (1941)
Scott Walker (1944)
Jimmy Page (1944)
Waltraud Meier (1956)
Hillevi Martinpelto (1958)
Nicholas Daniel (1962)
and
Karel Čapek (1890-1938)
Kurt Tucholsky (1890-1935)
Richard Halliburton (1901-1939)
Brian Friel (1929-2015)
Michiko Kakutani (1955)
Rudolf Bing (1902-1997)
Herva Nelli (1909-1994)
Henriette Puig‑Roget (1910-1992)
Pierre Pierlot (1921-2007)
Joan Baez (1941)
Scott Walker (1944)
Jimmy Page (1944)
Waltraud Meier (1956)
Hillevi Martinpelto (1958)
Nicholas Daniel (1962)
and
Karel Čapek (1890-1938)
Kurt Tucholsky (1890-1935)
Richard Halliburton (1901-1939)
Brian Friel (1929-2015)
Michiko Kakutani (1955)
Saturday, January 8, 2022
Thomas Dausgaard resigns from the podium of the Seattle Symphony
This is a real bombshell! Just three years into his position as music director of the Seattle Symphony, Thomas Dausgaard has decided to step down. You can read about it in The Seattle Times here. Apparently, the pandemic has so disrupted his work with the orchestra that he just can't find a path forward.
Today's Birthdays
Jean Gilles (1668-1705)
Lowell Mason (1792-1872)
Sigismond Thalberg (1812-1871)
Hans von Bülow (1830-1894)
Jaromir Weinberger (1896-1967)
Giacinto Scelsi (1905-1988)
Giorgio Tozzi (1923-2011)
Robert Starer (1924-2001)
Benjamin Lees (1924-2010)
Elvis Presley (1935-1977)
Zdeněk Mácal (1936)
Robert Moran (1937)
Evgeny Nesterenko (1938)
Elijah Moshinsky (1946)
Paul Dresher (1951)
Vladimir Feltsman (1952)
and
Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913)
Bronislava Nijinska (1891-1972)
Stephen Hawking (1942-2018)
and from the Composers Datebook:
On this day in 1923, the first broadcast in England of an opera direct from a concert hall took place, Mozart's "The Magic Flute" via the BBC from London.
Lowell Mason (1792-1872)
Sigismond Thalberg (1812-1871)
Hans von Bülow (1830-1894)
Jaromir Weinberger (1896-1967)
Giacinto Scelsi (1905-1988)
Giorgio Tozzi (1923-2011)
Robert Starer (1924-2001)
Benjamin Lees (1924-2010)
Elvis Presley (1935-1977)
Zdeněk Mácal (1936)
Robert Moran (1937)
Evgeny Nesterenko (1938)
Elijah Moshinsky (1946)
Paul Dresher (1951)
Vladimir Feltsman (1952)
and
Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913)
Bronislava Nijinska (1891-1972)
Stephen Hawking (1942-2018)
and from the Composers Datebook:
On this day in 1923, the first broadcast in England of an opera direct from a concert hall took place, Mozart's "The Magic Flute" via the BBC from London.
Friday, January 7, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Clara Haskil (1895-1960)
Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)
John Brownlee (1900-1969)
Nicanor Zabaleta (1907-1993)
Günter Wand (1912-2002)
Ulysses Kay (1917-1995)
John Lanigan (1921-1996)
Jean-Pierre Rampal (1922-2000)
Tommy Johnson (1935-2006)
Iona Brown (1941-2004)
Richard Armstrong (1943)
and
Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960)
Hugh Kenner (1923-2003)
Nicholson Baker (1957)
And from the Composers Datebook:
On this day in 1955, Marian Anderson made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Ulrica in Verdi's "Un Ballo in Mascera" (A Masked Ball). She was the first African-American singer to perform as an opera soloist on the Met stage. Subsequent distinguished African-American singers who performed as members of the Met company included Robert McFerrin, Sr. (Bobby McFerrin Jr.’s father), Leontyne Price, Martina Arroyo, Kahtleen Battle and Jessye Norman.
Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)
John Brownlee (1900-1969)
Nicanor Zabaleta (1907-1993)
Günter Wand (1912-2002)
Ulysses Kay (1917-1995)
John Lanigan (1921-1996)
Jean-Pierre Rampal (1922-2000)
Tommy Johnson (1935-2006)
Iona Brown (1941-2004)
Richard Armstrong (1943)
and
Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960)
Hugh Kenner (1923-2003)
Nicholson Baker (1957)
And from the Composers Datebook:
On this day in 1955, Marian Anderson made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Ulrica in Verdi's "Un Ballo in Mascera" (A Masked Ball). She was the first African-American singer to perform as an opera soloist on the Met stage. Subsequent distinguished African-American singers who performed as members of the Met company included Robert McFerrin, Sr. (Bobby McFerrin Jr.’s father), Leontyne Price, Martina Arroyo, Kahtleen Battle and Jessye Norman.
Thursday, January 6, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Max Bruch (1838-1920)
Georges Martin Witkowski (1867-1943)
Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915
Karl Straube (1873-1950)
Earl Kim (1920-1998)
Alexander Baillie (1956)
and
Carl Sandburg (1878-1967)
Khalil Gibran (1883-1931)
E.L. Doctorow (1931)
and from the Composers Datebook:
On this day in 1733, this notice appears in the Leipzig newspaper Nachtricht auch Frag u. Anzeiger: "Tonight at 8 o'clock there will be a Bach Concert at the Zimmermann Coffeehouse on Catharine Street". This presumably featured secular vocal works, chamber music and concertos performed by the Leipzig Collegium, an ensemble directed by J.S. Bach.
Georges Martin Witkowski (1867-1943)
Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915
Karl Straube (1873-1950)
Earl Kim (1920-1998)
Alexander Baillie (1956)
and
Carl Sandburg (1878-1967)
Khalil Gibran (1883-1931)
E.L. Doctorow (1931)
and from the Composers Datebook:
On this day in 1733, this notice appears in the Leipzig newspaper Nachtricht auch Frag u. Anzeiger: "Tonight at 8 o'clock there will be a Bach Concert at the Zimmermann Coffeehouse on Catharine Street". This presumably featured secular vocal works, chamber music and concertos performed by the Leipzig Collegium, an ensemble directed by J.S. Bach.
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Johann Georg Pisendel (1687-1755)
Constanza Mozart (1762-1842)
Peter Wolle (1792-1871)
Frederick Converse (1871-1940)
Nikolai Medtner (1880-1951)
Nicolai Roslavets (1881-1944)
Reginald Smith-Brindle (1917-2003)
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (1920-1995)
Laszlo Heltay (1930-2019)
Alfred Brendel (1931)
Maurizio Pollini (1942)
and
Stella Gibbons(1902-1989)
Friedrich Dürrenmatt (1921-1990)
W. D. Snodgrass (1926-2009)
Umberto Eco (1932-2016)
Ngugi wa Thiong'o (1938)
Charlie Rose (1942)
Constanza Mozart (1762-1842)
Peter Wolle (1792-1871)
Frederick Converse (1871-1940)
Nikolai Medtner (1880-1951)
Nicolai Roslavets (1881-1944)
Reginald Smith-Brindle (1917-2003)
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (1920-1995)
Laszlo Heltay (1930-2019)
Alfred Brendel (1931)
Maurizio Pollini (1942)
and
Stella Gibbons(1902-1989)
Friedrich Dürrenmatt (1921-1990)
W. D. Snodgrass (1926-2009)
Umberto Eco (1932-2016)
Ngugi wa Thiong'o (1938)
Charlie Rose (1942)
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Giovanni Pergolesi (1710-1736)
Johann Friedrich Agricola (1720-1774)
Josef Suk (1874-1935)
Frank Wess (1922-2013)
Grace Bumbry (1937)
Joseph Turrin (1947)
Margaret Marshall (1949)
Ronald Corp (1951)
Peter Seiffert (1954)
Boris Berezovsky (1969)
and
Sir Issac Newton (1642-1727)
Jacob Grimm (1785-1863)
Louis Braille (1809-1852)
Augustus John (1878-1961)
Doris Kearns Goodwin (1943)
And from the Composers Datebook:
On this day in 1950, RCA announces it will produce long play records as Columbia did two years earlier (RCA had unsuccessfully attempted to compete with Columbia's new 33.3-rpm LPs by issuing some of their classical catalog as multiple disc 45-rpm sets).
Johann Friedrich Agricola (1720-1774)
Josef Suk (1874-1935)
Frank Wess (1922-2013)
Grace Bumbry (1937)
Joseph Turrin (1947)
Margaret Marshall (1949)
Ronald Corp (1951)
Peter Seiffert (1954)
Boris Berezovsky (1969)
and
Sir Issac Newton (1642-1727)
Jacob Grimm (1785-1863)
Louis Braille (1809-1852)
Augustus John (1878-1961)
Doris Kearns Goodwin (1943)
And from the Composers Datebook:
On this day in 1950, RCA announces it will produce long play records as Columbia did two years earlier (RCA had unsuccessfully attempted to compete with Columbia's new 33.3-rpm LPs by issuing some of their classical catalog as multiple disc 45-rpm sets).
Monday, January 3, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Victor Borge (1909-2000)
Ronald Smith (1922-2004)
Sir George Martin (1926-2016)
H. K. Gruber (1943)
David Atherton (1944)
and
J. R. R. Tolkien (1892-1973)
and from the Composers Datebook
On this date in the year 1843 in Paris, the comic opera “Don Pasquale” by the Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti received its first performance.
also:
On this day in 1925, German conductor and composer Wilhelm Furtwängler made his American debut, conducting the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall.
Ronald Smith (1922-2004)
Sir George Martin (1926-2016)
H. K. Gruber (1943)
David Atherton (1944)
and
J. R. R. Tolkien (1892-1973)
and from the Composers Datebook
On this date in the year 1843 in Paris, the comic opera “Don Pasquale” by the Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti received its first performance.
also:
On this day in 1925, German conductor and composer Wilhelm Furtwängler made his American debut, conducting the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall.
Sunday, January 2, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Frantisek Xaver Brixi (1732-1771)
Mily Balakirev (1837-1910)
Michael Tippett (1905-1998)
Barbara Pentland (1912-2000)
Gardner Read (1913-2005)
Irina Arkhipova (1925-2010)
Alberto Zedda (1928-2017)
Peter Eötvös (1944)
Janet Hilton (1945)
Vladimir Ovchinnikov (1958)
Tzimon Barto (1963)
Robert Fertitta (1970)
Eric Whitacre (1970)
and
Isaac Asimov (1920-1992)
Christopher Durang (1949)
Lynda Barry (1956)
Mily Balakirev (1837-1910)
Michael Tippett (1905-1998)
Barbara Pentland (1912-2000)
Gardner Read (1913-2005)
Irina Arkhipova (1925-2010)
Alberto Zedda (1928-2017)
Peter Eötvös (1944)
Janet Hilton (1945)
Vladimir Ovchinnikov (1958)
Tzimon Barto (1963)
Robert Fertitta (1970)
Eric Whitacre (1970)
and
Isaac Asimov (1920-1992)
Christopher Durang (1949)
Lynda Barry (1956)
Saturday, January 1, 2022
Today's Birthdays - Happy New Year!
Charles Racquet (1598-1664)
Frederick William Gaisberg (1873-1951)
Edwin Franko Goldman (1878-1956)
Artur Rodzinski (1892-1958)
Erich Schmid (1907-2001)
Trude Rittmann (1908-2005)
Milt Jackson (1923-1999)
Richard Verreau (1926-2005)
Maurice Béjart (1927-2007)
Bernard Greenhouse (1916-2011)
Alberto Portugheis (1941)
and
And from the Composers Datebook:
On this day in 1585, composer Giovanni Gabrieli became the second organist at St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice. His uncle, the composer Andrea Gabrieli, was the first organist.
On this day in 1908, Gustav Mahler made his conducting debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, leading a performance of Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde."
Frederick William Gaisberg (1873-1951)
Edwin Franko Goldman (1878-1956)
Artur Rodzinski (1892-1958)
Erich Schmid (1907-2001)
Trude Rittmann (1908-2005)
Milt Jackson (1923-1999)
Richard Verreau (1926-2005)
Maurice Béjart (1927-2007)
Bernard Greenhouse (1916-2011)
Alberto Portugheis (1941)
and
And from the Composers Datebook:
On this day in 1585, composer Giovanni Gabrieli became the second organist at St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice. His uncle, the composer Andrea Gabrieli, was the first organist.
On this day in 1908, Gustav Mahler made his conducting debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, leading a performance of Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde."