December 31 - John Denver; Giulio Cesare Monteverdi (The Musical Birthday Series, 3rd Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for December 31st are here date is unknown: Donna Summer; John Denver (2019) and Jule Styne (2020)

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John Denver (31 December 1943 – 12 October 1997)  was an American singer-songwriter, record producer, actor, activist, and humanitarian.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Any Other Name?

He decided to change his name when it was suggested that 'Deutschendorf' would not fit comfortably on a marquee. – condensed from Wikipedia

Henry John Deutschendorf Jr.’s name

Was somewhat uncomfortably long.

It wouldn’t have fit in a marquee frame.

And the spelling would likely be wrong.

“John Denver” was short,

And I glad to report,

It fit to a T

On any marquee!

 

 

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

 

 

Giulio Cesare Monteverdi (1573–1630/31) was an Italian composer and organist. He was the younger brother of Claudio Monteverdi. His birth date is unknown, and is probably NOT actually 31 December, but some sources list it thus, and since it suits my purposes, here he is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Necessary Info

Giulio Cesare Monteverdi was

   In the shadow of his older bro,

He failed to set the music world abuzz,

   And that is all you’ll ever need to know.

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December 30 - David Willcocks (The Musical Birthday Series, 3rd Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for December 30th are here: Paul Bowles (2019) and (Mary) Frances Allitsen (2020)

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David Willcocks (30 December 1919 – 17 September 2015) was a British choral conductor, organist, composer,  and music administrator, especially well known for his long association with the Choir of King's College, Cambridge. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December Greetings

In this joyous month, December,

Take a moment to remember

David Willcocks, the supplier

Of festive carols for your choir.

Even if you’re not in Britain

You can relish what he’s written,

When in our transatlantic naves, 

His descants ring in festive waves,

Regardless of the imperfections

Heard in most soprano sections.

 

 

 

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December 29 - Peggy Glanville-Hicks (The Musical Birthday Series, 3rd Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for December 29th are here: Pablo Casals (2019) and (2020)

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Peggy Glanville-Hicks (29 December 1912 – 25 June 1990) was an Australian composer and music critic.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Old G-H!

1. She studied with the best;... 2. She knew everyone - Martin Buzacott , “10 things you should know about Peggy Glanville-Hicks,” at www.abc.net.au

The pleasant works of Glanville-Hicks

Are still, Down Under, in the mix;

She learned composing from the best,

And stories on the web attest

She knew the sorts of folks worth knowing.

And so, in light of the foregoing,

How did come to be, I wonder.

That, exclusive of Down Under,

Performers choose to eighty-six

The pleasant works of Glanville-Hicks.

 

 

 

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December 28 - Christian Cannabich; Roger Sessions (The Musical Birthday Series, 3rd Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for December 28th are here: Roger Sessions; Earl Hines (2019) and Calixa Lavalée (2020)

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Christian Cannabich (bapt. 28 December 1731 – 20 January 1798) was a German violinist, and composer active in Mannheim and elsewhere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If You’ve Heard One Mannheimer…

That Cannabich may be a name

That’s new to you, shouldn't cause shame;

His name recognition

As a Mannheim musician

Has not, since his death, been the same.

 

 

 

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Roger Sessions (28 December 1896 – 16 March 1985) was an important American composer and teacher.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collect the Whole Set

Among the young theorist’s transgressions

Was disliking the music of Sessions.

He said he was weary

Of serial theory,

And hexachords triggered depressions.

 

 

 

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December 27 - Anna Russell (The Musical Birthday Series, 3rd Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for December 27th are here: Marlene Dietrich (2019) and Anna Russell (2020)

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Anna Russell (27 December 1911 – 18 October 2006) was an English–Canadian singer and comedian. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Craft

There’s plenty of slaphappy hustle

In the comic routines of Miss Russell;

There’s much to applaud

In her jokes, which are broad,

With a ludicrous humorous bustle.

 

 

 

 

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