Friday, December 19, 2025

December 19 - Fritz Reiner; George Frederick Bristow (The Musical Birthday Series, 7th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for December 19th are here:  Fritz Reiner; Paul Dessau (2019), Édith Piaf (2020), Louis-Nicolas Clérambault (2021), Venanzio Rauzzini (2022)Édith Piaf (2023), and Fritz Reiner; Giuseppe Giordani (2024)

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Fritz Reiner (19 December 1888 – 15 November 1963) was a widely revered conductor best remember for his years with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary People (Not)


“He clearly had a sadistic streak in him, and truly enjoyed making musicians uncomfortable, making them squirm, humiliating them. He was the type (who)… inflicted his particular sadistic gratifications in a coolly clinical, perfectly controlled manner.”  -  Gunther Schuller on Fritz Reiner


It's hard to imagine Fritz Reiner

Taking naps in his favorite recliner,

Or cutting the grass,

Or rinsing a glass,

Or ordering lunch in a diner.


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George Frederick Bristow (December 19, 1825 – December 13, 1898) was an American composer, conductor, violinist, and educator

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Go West, Young Man

After returning to Britain that summer, Jullien programmed [Bristow's music] there. The concertmaster of his orchestra told Bristow that British audiences considered him “the American composer.”  -- Douglas W. Shadle, in the New York Times (16 December 2025)

Bristow was a pioneer

Of music in our hemisphere.

His music had the craft and skill

To earn performance at the Phil-

harmonic; And I'm glad to say,

This music from the U.S.A,

So earnest, heartfelt, and Romantic, 

Was praised across the broad Atlantic,

Where folks had never been too fond

Of music from across the pond.

 

 

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