August 12 - Peter Ostroushko (The Musical Birthday Series, 4th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for August 12th are here: Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber (2019), Joseph Barnby (2020), and Michael Kidd (2021)

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Peter Ostroushko (August 12, 1953 – February 24, 2021) was an American violinist and mandolinist.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pentameters for a Mandolinist

Peter spent more than 40 years as a frequent performer on A Prairie Home Companion. He’s appeared on Austin City Limits, Late Night with David Letterman, even Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.  His works have been performed by the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Kremlin Chamber Orchestra, and his music has been featured on public television specials such as Ken Burns’ film The National Parks and Minnesota: A History of the Land, for which Peter won an Emmy. –adapted from peterostroushko.com

You’d think the opportunities were thin

For players of the humble mandolin,

But check Ostroushko’s bio page and see

How manifold the instrument can be.

“But wait!” you say, “Ostroushko was the best.

What’s true for him won’t matter for the rest.

To use a case that’s clearly an exception

Is sophistry, if not outright deception.”

Friend, pause a bit before you thus attack me

For looking at my subject from its acme.

To reach success, we visualize the summit

And then explore the vistas we see from it.

 

 

 

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