September 29 - Vincent Lübeck (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

Vincent Lübeck (c. September 1654 – 9 February 1740) was a German organist and composer.  The date of Lübeck's birth is uncertain.

[For last year's verse on Richard Bonynge and Gene Autry click here.] 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home is Where...

The citizens of Padingbüttel

   Honor Lübeck’s name,

For he is tiny Padingbüttel’s

  Only claim to fame.

They named the town Gymnasium

  The Vincent Lübeck School,

And students hear ad nauseum

  That organ fugues are cool.

Oh little town of Padingbüttel,

  How still we see thee lie,

Give praise to your distinguished son,

  Your Padingbüttel guy!

 

 

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September 24 - John Rutter; Anthony Newley (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

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

 [For last year's verses on John Rutter and Václav Nelhýbel click here.]

 

 

Boy, What Day Is This?

When you need a Christmas carol

Rutter has them by the barrel.

Pleasant, peppy, slightly skittish,

And, of course, extremely British.

 

 

 

 

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

Anthony Newley (24 September 1931 – 14 April 1999) was an English actor, singer and songwriter.

 

 

Sing Along

“On a wonderful day like today”

  Try singing some Anthony Newley,

His songs are vivacious, but they

   Are never debauched or unruly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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September 21 - Leonard Cohen (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

Leonard Cohen (21 September 1934 – 7 November 2016) was a Canadian singer, songwriter, poet, and novelist. 

[For last year's thoughts on Gustav Holst and Billy Porter click here.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Let’s Talk about Sex, Baby

“[The book] received good reviews but did not sell particularly well, setting yet another precedent for Cohen’s future career." - biography.com

“I think it’s a good song, but I think too many people sing it.” -- Leonard Cohen on "Hallelujah", to the Guardian

 

“Do Republicans Know ‘Hallelujah’ is about Sex?” - Headline at motherjones.com

*      *     *     *     *     * 

In spite of the fact that there wasn’t much dough in

Releasing a song by the late Leonard Cohen,

His label's reward was the praise that would flow in.

The single exception, a really big deal,

Was when Hallelujah’s relentless appeal

Spawned dozens of covers that cloy and congeal.

The throngs who have heard it aver that they feel

That something inside them compels them to kneel.

And while on their knees, while they pay their respects,

Apparently none of them ever suspects

That the lyrics they’re hearing are all about sex.

 

 

 

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September 20 - Ildebrando Pizzetti (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

Ildebrando Pizzetti (20 September 1880 – 13 February 1968) was an Italian composer, musicologist, and music critic. I know of no basis in fact for the (plausible) rivalry fantasized about below.

[For last year's elegy in limericks for William Kapell click here.] 

He

Ildebrando Pizzetti,

   Prolific and weighty,

Was minor, and yet he

   Hoped to be great. He

Worked and he worried,

   On the verge of fatigue. He

Tried to ensure he'd

   Rank with Respighi.

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September 16 - Charlie Byrd (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

Charlie Byrd (16 September 1925 – 2 December 1999) was an American jazz guitarist. 

[For last year's limericks [!] on Hildegard von Bingen click here.]

Byrd Flu

Here’s the change that has occured

In the case of Charlie Byrd:

Once his albums made the trip

To the hi-fis of the hip,

Now he’s just a retro detail

In the air at trendy retail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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September 14 - Luigi Cherubini (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

Luigi Cherubini (8 or 14 September 1760 – 15 March 1842) was an important composer in post-revolutionary France.

[For last year's effort on Michael Haydn click here.]

 

So Near, and Yet...

Cherubini, almost great,

Greatest of the second rate,

From his very first appearance

Never lacked for his adherents;

Beethoven himself admired him,

As for Bonaparte, he hired him!

Held prestigious high positions,

Got the very best commissions;

Directed, although old and hoary,

France’s great Conservatory.

Envoi 

Still, in spite of fame and fans,

One of music’s also-rans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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