April 30 - Alfed Gaul (The Musical Birthday Series, 8th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for April 30th may be found here: Franz Lehár (2019), Sheldon Harnick (2020), Robert Shaw; Alfred Gaul (2021), Merrill Osmond (2022), Franz Lehár (2023), Robert Shaw (2024), and Sheldon Harnick (2025)

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Alfred Robert Gaul (30 April 1837 — 13 September 1913) was an English composer, conductor, teacher and organist. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Gaul…

Scholes reported the enormous number of vocal scores of Gaul's choral works which were sold by Novello and concluded that, "Decidedly Gaul was a 'best-seller'!" – Wikipedia

Show pity for Alfred R. Gaul,

Who held choral England in thrall,

Whose cantatas, once gold

For Novello, we're told,

Are scarcely remembered at all.

 

 

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February 23 - George Frideric Handel (The Musical Birthday Series, 6th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for February 23rd are here: George Frideric Handel (2020), John Blow; George Frideric Handel (2021), Handel (2022), (2023), and (2024)

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George Frideric Handel (23 February 1685 – 14 April 1759) was one of the greatest, and still most popular, of Baroque composers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've Heard That Song Before

In accordance with his practice when writing new works, Handel adapted existing compositions for use in Messiah, in this case drawing on two recently completed Italian duets and one written twenty years previously for several movements.  --- adapted from Wikipedia, s.v. "Messiah (Handel)"

(1)

This masterpiece, written in haste,

Has movements whose substance is based

On stuff he recast

From his works of the past,

And recycled with excellent taste.

(2)

Because of the deadline he faced,

He decided to use cut and paste;

He thought it was clever

To ease his endeavor,

And why should good tunes go to waste?

 

 

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October 7 - William Billings (The Musical Birthday Series, 6th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for October 7th are here: Alfred Drake; William Billings; John (Cougar) Mellencamp (2019), Joe Hill; Shura Cherkassky (2020), Yo-Yo Ma (2021), Alfred Drake (2022), and Charles Crozat Converse (2023)

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William Billings (7 October 1746 – 26 September 1800) was an American composer and is regarded as the first American choral composer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stanzas for a Pioneer

Billings' work was very popular in its heyday, but his career was hampered by the primitive state of copyright law in America at the time. By the time the copyright laws had been strengthened, it was too late for Billings: the favorites among his tunes had already been widely reprinted in other people's hymnals, permanently copyright-free. He died in poverty in Boston. — adapted from Wikipedia

The music of Billings is vigorous;

   It’s sturdy and solid and brash.

His training was casual, not rigorous,

   But he made, nonetheless, quite a splash.

He was born when the States were colonial,

   He died when his country was free.

I’d provide an enthused testimonial,

   But he needs no endorsement from me.

He never was given the proper

   Rewards.and a posthumous fame.

Is never a boon for a pauper,

    The copyright laws were to blame.

 

 

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September 24 - John Rutter (The Musical Birthday Series, 6th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for September 24th are here: John Rutter; Václav Nelhýbel (2019), John Rutter; Anthony Newley (2020), John Rutter (2021), Jean-Louis Lully (2022), and John Rutter (2023)

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John Rutter (b. 24 September 1945) is a well-known and prolific choral conductor, composer, and arranger, especially of Christmas carols.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bah! Humbug!

If I may be forgiven the comparison, John Rutter is the Andrea Bocelli of classical choral music: many people adore his work, and there are (probably not so) many who loathe it. – Raymond Tuttle, at http://www.classical.net

While many will go all aflutter

When hearing an anthem by Rutter,

I express how I feel

With a virulent spiel

In my petulant seasonal splutter.

 

 

 

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February 23 - George Frideric Handel (The Musical Birthday Series, 5th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for February 23rd are here: George Frideric Handel (2020), John Blow; George Frideric Handel (2021), Handel (2022), and (2023)

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George Frideric Handel (23 February 1685 – 14 April 1759) was one of the greatest, and still most popular, of Baroque composers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two Limericks on Messiah

(1)

If a bass should assert or imply a

Distaste or dislike for Messiah,

His friends would be stunned,

And the man would be shunned,

Throughout life as a choral pariah.

(2)

Through the story has barely begun

At the end of Messiah, Part One.

There are some who will flee

Before Parts Two and Three,

And pretend that it’s over and done.

 

 

 

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