March 31 - Joseph Haydn (The Musical Birthday Series, 5th Annual Cycle)

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Symphony No. 94 in G Major (Hob. 1/94) 

“Andante” and all that implies

May lead you to resting your eyes,

And so your eyes close

In a comforting doze

‘Til the orchestra wakes you. SURPRISE!

 

 

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Spreading His Wings

While Haydn enjoyed the applause he

Received from the Prince Esterházy,

He learned, in distinguished old age,

That the world was a wonderful stage.

While his job at the court earned a pension,

There is nothing like fame and attention!

 

 

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March 30 - Antonio de Cabezón (The Musical Birthday Series, 5th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for March 30th may be found here: John Stafford Smith (2019), Celine Dion (2020), Eric Clapton (2021). and Johann Wilhelm Wilms (2022)

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Antonio de Cabezón (30 March 1510 – 26 March 1566) was an important Spanish composer and organist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can You Hear Me Now?

Antonio de Cabezón 

Had no ringtone on his phone.

A curious thing that never varies

Among his great contemporaries.

This was the kind of nonchalance

That typified the Renaissance.

 

 

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March 29 - E. Power Biggs (The Musical Birthday Series, 5th Annual Cycle)

Previous postings for March 29th may be found here: Albert von Tilzer (2019), Astrud Gilberto (2020), Supply Belcher; William Walton; John Hawkins (2021), and William Walton (2022)

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E. Power Biggs (29 March 1906 – 10 March 1977) was a British-born American concert organist. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Biggs Deal

Biggs believed that Baroque music should ideally be performed on instruments representative of that period and that organ music of that epoch should be played by using (as closely as possible) the styles and registrations of that era. Biggs' critics of the time included rival concert organist Virgil Fox, who was known for a more flamboyant and colorful style of performance.  -- adapted from Wikipedia

The organist E. Power Biggs,

Who performed on historical rigs,

Was a contrast to Fox,

Who played music of Bach’s

While preferring much flashier digs.

 

 

 

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March 28 - Joey Roukens (The Musical Birthday Series, 5th Annual Cycle)

Previous postings for March 28th may be found here: Paul Whiteman (2019), Lady Gaga (2020), Alf Clausen (2021), and Lady Gaga (2022)

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Joey Roukens (b. 28 March 1982) is one of the leading Dutch composers of his generation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mixed Motives

At times my music may hover on the verge of kitsch and banality, but at the same time I’m not interested in presenting only easy-listening to my audience. – Joey Roukens

Joey Roukens, who is Dutch,

Admits to using kitsch and such,

Is he earnest or ironic

When he mixes up a sonic

Cocktail, (like a gin and tonic)

To stimulate the Philharmonic?

 

 

 

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March 27 - Vincent d'Indy (The Musical Birthday Series, 5th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for March 27th may be found here: Antonio Squarcialupi (2019), Sarah Vaughan, Patty Smith Hill; Ben Webster (2021), and Ferde Grofé (2022)

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Vincent d'Indy (27 March 1851 – 2 December 1931) was a French composer and influential teacher. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Difference of Opinion

"Why on earth had I gone to d'Indy? The things I had written before were so full of charm. And now? What nonsense! What dullness!" - Erik Satie, qtd. In Wikipedia

Vincent d’Indy had a personal forum

Teaching the young at the Schola Cantorum,

But Erik Satie, who was a part of that quorum,

Complained he was stifled by d’Indy’s decorum.

 

 

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March 26 - Pierre Boulez (The Musical Birthday Series, 5th Annual Cycle)

Previous postings for March 26th may be found here: Pierre Boulez (2019), Diana Ross; Pierre Boulez (2020), Pierre Boulez (2021), and (2022)

 

Pierre Boulez (26 March 1925 – 5 January 2016) was one of the foremost composers and conductors of his time. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contra

My verse has no need to embellish

The fact that while some people relish

The Boulezian sound,

They seldom a found,

And everyone else thinks it's hellish.

 

 

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