May 2 - Lorenz Hart (The Musical Birthday Series, 6th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for May 2nd may be found here: Alessandro Scarlatti (2019),  Lorenz Hart (2020), Leslie Gore (2021). J. Fred Coots; Vicente Martín y Soler (2022), and Alessandro Scarlatti (2023)

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Lorenz Hart (2 May 1895 – 22 November 1943) was one of the most successful lyricists in the history of Broadway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bewitched (Bothered and Bewildered)

Hart experienced depression and sadness throughout his life.-- Wikipedia

Sing a song and do your part

In celebrating Lorenz Hart,

Whose lyrics had a lethal dagger

Hidden in their polished swagger,

With worldly wit and wordplay clothing

Ghastly layers of self-loathing.

 

 

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May 1 - Hugo Alfvén (The Musical Birthday Series, 6th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for May 1st may be found here: William Lawes (2019),  Judy Collins (2020), William Lawes (2021),  Leo Sowerby (2022), and Shirley Horn; Kate Smith (2023)

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Hugo Alfvén (1 May 1872 – 8 May 1960) was a Swedish composer, conductor, violinist, and painter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short and Swede

The first rhapsody – Swedish Rhapsody No. 1, also known as Midsommarvaka (Midsummer Vigil) – was written in 1903 and is often simply called the "Swedish Rhapsody." It is the best-known piece composed by Alfvén and also one of the best-known pieces of music in Sweden. – Wikipedia

It sounds like Hugo Alfvén had some fun

With Swedish Rhapsody #1,

And it’s more famous, it has been agreed,

Than any other music by a Swede.

 

 

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April 30 - Robert Shaw (The Musical Birthday Series, 6th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for April 30th may be found here: Franz Lehár (2019), Sheldon Harnick (2020), Robert Shaw; Alfred Gaul (2021), Merrill Osmond (2022), and Franz Lehár (2023)

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Robert Shaw (30 April 1916 – 25 January 1999) was an American conductor, especially known for his work with choirs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Couplets on Robert Shaw

During his long career, Shaw drew attention to choral music and came to be considered the "dean" of American choral conductors. His work set new choral standards in the United States, and many of his recordings are considered benchmarks for choral singing. – excerpted from Wikipedia

Robert Shaw became the dean

Of directors on the choral scene.

Standards got a little higher

With Robert Shaw before the choir;

And even now we stand in awe

Of choirs trained by Robert Shaw.

 

 

If you enjoy these posts, please help me, and consider sharing.  [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Takes: Great Art Repurposed.] 

 

 

 

 

April 29 - Steve Norquist (The Musical Birthday Series, 6th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for April 29th may be found here: me (2019), me (2020), me (2021), me (2022), and me (2023)

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Steve Norquist (b. 29 April 1954) writes this blog.  He is a musicologist and pianist, and performs obscure, undeservedly forgotten, and just plain odd piano music at his YouTube channel Piano Curiosities with Steve Norquist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Trio of Limericks at Seventy

(1)

If they said that this blog was a chronicle

Of wisdom, informed and canonical,

They would say it in spite

Of the piffle I write,

Unless they were being ironical.

(2)

When the prudent have said to me, “Steve,

There is more that you ought to achieve

Than limericks or worse”

I say, "Quite the reverse

Is what I have come to believe."

(3)

And so it’s my birthday again,

(It’s the Biblical  three score and ten),

But I still waste the day

In a dubious way

Writing frivolous nonsense, Amen.

 

 

If you enjoy these posts, please help me, and consider sharing.  [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Takes: Great Art Repurposed.] 

 

 

April 28 - Ann-Margaret; Blossom Dearie (The Musical Birthday Series, 6th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for April 28th may be found here: John Jacob Niles (2019), Michael Daugherty (2020), Blossom Dearie (2021), Ludvig Schytte (2022), and John Jacob Niles (2023)

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Ann-Margret (b. April 28, 1941) is a Swedish-American actress and singer. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hexameters for A-M

She had a sexy, throaty singing voice, and RCA Victor attempted to capitalize on the "female Elvis" comparison by having her record a version of "Heartbreak Hotel” and other songs stylistically similar to Presley's. – Wikipedia, on her pre-Bye Bye Birdie singing career

One might have thought the chances of success were slim

When she was cast to play the wholesome role of Kim.

Since little present in her resume or bio

Suggests a teenage girl in middle-class Ohio.

 

♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪ 

Blossom Dearie (April 28, 1924 – February 7, 2009) was an American jazz singer, pianist, and cabaret artist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pentameters for Blossom

Blossom Dearie’s an acquired taste,

She’s always had her critics who are caustic;

But her eccentric charm, when once embraced

Converts the most refractory agnostic.

 

 

If you enjoy these posts, please help me, and consider sharing.  [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Takes: Great Art Repurposed.]