March 31 - Joseph Haydn; Johann Sebastian Bach (The Musical Birthday Series, 4th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for March 31st may be found here: Joseph Haydn (2019) and (2020), and Herb Alpert (2022)

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Joseph Haydn (31 March 1732 – 31 May 1809) was one of the great composers of the late 18th century.   

 

Name that Symphony!

Though program notes often wax lyrical

On the symphony known as “The Miracle”

You can brush off the mention

Of Divine intervention,

If your standards are strictly empirical.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Johann Sebastian Bach (31 March [O. S. 21 March] 1685 – 28 July 1750) was a German composer and organist.

Perhaps?

Did Bach ever warn the church pastor

That the choir was facing disaster,

Since cantatas each week

In an unbroken streak

Was too much for the singers to master.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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March 30 - Johann Wilhelm Wilms (The Musical Birthday Series, 4th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for March 30th may be found here: John Stafford Smith (2019), Celine Dion (2020), and Eric Clapton (2021)

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Johann Wilhelm Wilms (30 March 1772 (baptized) – 19 July 1847) was a Dutch-German composer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pitching the Project

 

Wilms is best known for setting the poem Wien Neêrlands bloed (Those in whom Dutch blood)  to music, which served as the Dutch national anthem from 1815 to 1932. -- adapted from Wikipedia

Gary Grant or Chalamet

Were never slated to portray

The life of Johann Wilhelm Wilms

In any of their famous films.

To us, he may not seem like much,

But for the patriotic Dutch,

His anthem, (for a hundred years),

Could move their Netherlandish tears.

For this, his bio should be seen

Projected on the silver screen.

Tom Holland, with his fitting name,

Could boost the project with his fame,

Ensuring ticket sales for same,

(And giving Wilms some superpowers

Would help his cause in times like ours).

Or, if that seems like fatuous dreaming,

Perhaps it could be made for streaming,

With stars more willing to take chances,

On films with limited finances.

 

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

 

March 29 - William Walton (The Musical Birthday Series, 4th Annual Cycle)

Previous postings for March 29th may be found here: Albert von Tilzer (2019), Astrud Gilberto (2020), and Supply Belcher; William Walton; John Hawkins (2021)

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Sir William Walton (29 March 1902 – 8 March 1983) was an English composer who remains in the active repertoire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Way of All Flesh

William Walton had a cheeky start -

Bohemian, iconoclast and smart;

But as he aged such tendencies were rationed

And Walton grew increasingly old-fashioned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

  

March 28 - Lady Gaga (The Musical Birthday Series, 4th Annual Cycle)

Previous postings for March 28th may be found here: Paul Whiteman (2019), Lady Gaga (2020), Alf Clausen (2021)

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Lady Gaga (b. 28 March 1986) is an American singer and actor.

 

Icons: Oscar Night 2022

Minnelli, with Gaga beside her

To act as a shepherd and guide her,

Was able to relish

What might have been hellish

Without such a caring provider.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

March 27 - Ferde Grofé (The Musical Birthday Series, 4th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for March 27th may be found here: Antonio Squarcialupi (2019), Sarah Vaughan, and Patty Smith Hill; Ben Webster (2021)

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Ferde Grofé (27 March 1892 –3 April 1972) was an American composer, arranger, and pianist best known for his 1931 five-movement tone poem, Grand Canyon Suite and for having orchestrated Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural Wonders, Naturally Wondering

(1)

The music of Ferde Grofé

Was perfectly fine in its day,

Though the Grand Canyon Suite

Is a musical treat

That no one’s still eager to play.

(2)

“On the Trail” is a pleasant enough

Example of musical fluff.

But a ride in a canyon 

With a donkey companion

You’d think would be somewhat more rough.

 

 

 

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