May 30 - Pauline Oliveros (The Musical Birthday Series, 5th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for May 30th are found here: Benny Goodman (2019), Gustav Leonhardt (2020), Benny Goodman (2021), and Benny Goodman (2022)

+++++++++++++++++++++ 

Pauline Oliveros (30 May 1932 – 24 November 2016) was an American experimental composer and accordionist. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Listen, My Children

This aesthetic is designed to inspire both trained and untrained performers to practice the art of listening and responding to environmental conditions in solo and ensemble situations". – Jason Ankeny, qtd. In Wikipedia

Heidi Von Gunden names a new musical theory developed by Oliveros, "sonic awareness", and describes it as "the ability to consciously focus attention upon environmental and musical sound", requiring "continual alertness and an inclination to be always listening" – Wikipedia

Oliveros felt people should reap

The blessings of listening deep;

But I note, (with unfairness?)

That such “sonic awareness”

Would probably put me to sleep.

 

 

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

 

November 5 - Myron Floren (The Musical Birthday Series, 3rd Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for November 5th are here: Hans Sachs (2019) and Art Garfunkel (2020)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

Myron Floren (5 November 1919 – 23 July 2013) was an American virtuoso accordionist best known for his appearances on the The Lawrence Welk Show between 1950 and 1980.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rhymes for South Dakota Boy

 

Floren was born to Ole and Tillie Florence, and grew up on a farm near Roslyn, South Dakota. He taught himself how to play the accordion, and soon he was performing solo around the community, often at fairs and social events.--- adapted from Wikipedia

In Roslyn, where winter’s are chilly,

And the landscape is flat, never hilly,

And his parents were Ole and Tillie,

(Which sounds just a little bit silly),

Young Myron would practice until he

Could play any tune willy-nilly.

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dontcha Just Love that Myron?

Our grandparents, believe it or not,

Like Floren’s renditions a lot.

He wasn’t alluring,

But he was reassuring

In his recurring accordion spot.

 

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

Two Too Much of a Good Thing?

Although Floren's musical technique made him a much better accordion player than Welk, the two men developed a close working relationship, and Welk never hesitated to allow Floren to display his virtuosity; occasionally the two would even play duets. --Wikipedia

It was never a question of whether

The two should make music together.

The thought wasn’t foreign

To Welk or to Floren,

As accordion birds of a feather.

 

 

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