March 18 - John Kirkpatrick (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

John Kirkpatrick (18 March 1905 – 8 November 1991) was an American classical pianist and music scholar who championed new American music.
[For last year's verse on Rimsky-Korsakov click here.]

 Yankee Panky

John Kirkpatrick faced the struggles

Of premiering Ives and Ruggles,

Risking insult and derision

With this bold and brash decision.

There are those who got the hives

Facing Ruggles, hearing Ives,

But he triumphed when reviews

Gave these gnarly men their dues.

Works Kirkpatrick pioneered

Now are properly revered.

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