December 22 - Edgard Varèse; Giacomo Puccini (The Musical Birthday Series, 4th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for December 21st are here: András Schiff; Michael Tilson Thomas (2019), Michael Tilson Thomas (2020), Frank Zappa; Werner von Trapp (2021), and Michael Tilson Thomas (2021)

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Edgard Varèse (22 December 1883 – 6 November 1965) was an influential modernist composer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seasonal Preferences

At Christmastide, the one who says

“Let’s have a concert of Varèse!”

Is treated as a foul pariah

By folks who’d rather hear Messiah.

 

 

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Giacomo Puccini (22 December 1858 – 29 November 1924) composed several of the most beloved operas in the repertoire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Puccini in China

Re: Butterfly and Turandot.

Should we do them, should we not?

Puccini, on these two occasions,

Used a plot concerning Asians,

Which he handled in a guise

Thought suitable for Western eyes.

We all acknowledge this preemption,

But some would argue an exemption

Applies for artists from the past,

While others answer, Not so fast!

With attitudes in evolution,

The prospects of a resolution

Remain remote; there is no genie

Who will ransom old Puccini.

 

 

 

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