July 31 - Randall Davidson; Robert Planquette (The Musical Birthday Series, 5th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for July 31st are here: Jacob Handl (Gallus) (2019), George Liberace (2020), Paul J. Christiansen (2021), and Ignacio Cervantes (2022)

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Randall Davidson (b. 31 July 1953) is a Minnesota-based composer and retired arts administrator.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bio

Music of humor and passion are the hallmarks of Randall Davidson's catalogue.  – randalldavidsonmusic.com

Moving to Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota in 1975, he soon found an alarming number of positions in arts administration that occupied his time until 2023. – randalldavidsonmusic.com

With “music of humor and passion”

And a style unbeholden to fashion,

He accepted consecutive

Gigs in executive

Functions to bring ready cash in.

 

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Apologia

Today we light many a candle,

And consider this statement by Randall:

“Though they tell me that Randy

Would suit me just dandy,

I prefer the more decorous handle.”

 

 

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

 

Robert Planquette (31 July 1848 – 28 January 1903) was a French composer of songs and operettas. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Passing Bell

Now I don’t know, but I’d dare bet

That when you hear “Robert Planquette”

     It barely rings a bell.

But look him up and you will see

That with “The Chimes of Normandy”

     He prospered pretty well.

In London, when the thing was done

It played and played, a record run,

     The British thought it swell.

The magic of those Norman chimes

Transmogrified in later times,

     Became a tougher sell.

The chimes of Normandy were hushed.

Their reputation all but crushed.

     Forever? Time will tell.

 

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July 30 - Gerald Moore (The Musical Birthday Series, 5th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for July 30th are here: Gerald Moore (2019), Nannerl Mozart (2020), Paul Anka (2021), and John Duke (2022)

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Gerald Moore (30 July 1899 – 13 March 1987) was one of the first accompanists to become famous in his own right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Knowing Your Place

Am I Too Loud? – Memoirs of an Accompanist. London: Macmillan. 1962.

When Gerald Moore

   Had duly bowed,

   He asked the crowd,

   “Am I too loud?”

Then Gerald Moore

   Sad down and played,

   As was his trade,

   And duly weighed

   Each sound he made,

   For he was paid

   To give his aid,

   Politely staid,

   From in the shade.

 

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

 

July 29 - Sigmund Romberg (The Musical Birthday Series, 5th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for July 29th are here: Peter Schreier (2019), Sigmund Romberg (2020), Mikis Theodorakis (2021), and Sigmund Romberg (2022)

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Sigmund Romberg (July 29, 1887 – November 9, 1951) was a Hungarian-born American composer, best known for his operettas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neither/Nor

 

As the musical became grittier in content and the structure shifted to deeper integration of book and music, Romberg's style began to date and seem more like a throwback to a vanished era. – naxos.com

I’ve noted in my verse before

That Romberg was, in days of yore,

A man that no one could ignore

Whenever he produced a score.

Though Romberg conquered, in that age,

The Broadway operetta stage,

The public’s long since turn a page,

If new productions are our gauge.

While operetta’s devotees

Eschew such Broadway hits as these,

Declaring to the world that he’s

No match for sundry Viennese.

 

 

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July 28 - Riccardo Muti (The Musical Birthday Series, 5th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for July 28th are here: Rudy Vallée (2019), Ignaz Bösendorfer (2020), Carmen Dragon (2021), and Rudy Vallée (2022)

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Riccardo Muti (b. 28 July 1941) is an Italian conductor, widely regarded as one of the greatest of our time. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pedestal

In June of 2023, it was announced by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra that beginning in the 2024-2025 season Muti would be named Music Director Emeritus for life. – Wikipedia

Riccardo Muti, as you know,

Is finished at the CSO,

But as Emeritus he’ll stand

Before the great Chicago band,

For savvy orchestras have found

It pays to keep an ex around,

If they’re familiar to the masses,

And favored by the donor classes.

Envoi

There is no orchestra that’s sorry it’s

Got a chance to use its laureates.

 

 

 

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